An initiative targeted to helping community leaders plan for and carry out effective and comprehensive revitalization efforts can have an enormous impact on the quality of life, both now and far into the future.
An FHLBANK Pittsburgh Revitalization Initiative
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLBank) is excited to announce the opening of the Blueprint Communities® program in eastern Pennsylvania. Blueprint Communities is an FHLBank program that supports investment and revitalization of communities and neighborhoods in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Created by FHLBank in 2005, the initiative serves as a catalyst for revitalizing communities through collaboration and investing in local leadership development and capacity. FHLBank and their lead partner, the Pennsylvania Downtown Center (PDC) are accepting applications for the 2024 Blueprint Communities initiative.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION & UPCOMING DATES
- Visit the ‘Frequently Asked Questions‘ to view the recordings of the webinars, Q&As, and more!
- Eligibility Guidance and Application Questions, click here.
- To apply please submit using Submittable here.
- Application Closes on December 1 at 5:00 p.m. 2023.
- To learn more about the Blueprint Communities Program, click here.
- Visit the ‘Frequently Asked Questions‘ tab on the right for additional information.
ABOUT & HISTORY
Revitalizing communities in Pennsylvania is both essential and difficult. An initiative targeted at helping community leaders plan for and carry out effective and comprehensive revitalization efforts can have an enormous impact on the quality of life, both now and far into the future.
FHLBank Pittsburgh and its partners have developed Blueprint Communities, a revitalization and leadership initiative that serves as a catalyst for creating sustainable communities in our region. In the first round, Blueprint Communities focused on 22 Pennsylvania communities successfully helping them to move forward in their quest for sustainability. In 2014, the initiative renewed its efforts in Pennsylvania. Six new Pennsylvania programs took advantage of the enormous benefits Blueprint Communities offers.
THE MISSION OF THE BLUEPRINT COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE IS TO SERVE AS A CATALYST TO REVITALIZE OLDER COMMUNITIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS BY:
- Fostering strong local leadership, collaboration, and development capacity.
- Serving as a catalyst for revitalization based on sound local and regional planning that includes a clear vision for the community and a comprehensive implementation strategy.
- Encouraging coordinated investments in targeted communities by public and private funders
PREVIOUS TRAINING
Blueprint Communities training is under the auspices of the Pennsylvania Downtown Center (PDC) with support from the Penn State University (PSU) Extension Service and other consultants. 2014 through 2015 sessions were designed for community results, with topics including:
- identifying & developing community resources
- growing local leadership
- team building & cohesiveness
- asset mapping
- encouraging civic engagement
- understanding community development models
- visioning & planning
- marketing & communication
- keeping connected
- promoting best practices
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are a FHLBank member or a member of a community interested in participating in Blueprint Communities, or if you wish to refer a community, please contact Pennsylvania Downtown Center at (717) 413-4630 or email, Julie Fitzpatrick, at juliefitzpatrick@padowntown.org.
Requests must be received no later than Monday, November 20th
The Center for Rural Pennsylvania has offered to provide technical support to any Blueprint Communities® applicant who may need assistance accessing census tract information or additional demographic data for their community application or to help develop a map of their focus area. For assistance, please contact Jonathan Johnson, Senior Policy Analyst – Center for Rural Pennsylvania – johnsonj@rural.pa.gov |717.787.9555
We’ve got you! Below is the link to rewatch the October 12th Information Session, as well as the powerpoint and Q&A documents. If you still have further questions please reach out to us!
Application Checklist:
(THE ENTIRE BLUEPRINT COMMUNITIES APPLICATION AND ATTACHMENTS ARE SUBMITTED VIA THE SUBMITTABLE PORTAL)
Required:
- The Blueprint Community Application (including community information, team member information, and reasons for applying)
- Map of the proposed Blueprint Community focus area – please be sure to show census tract(s), business or neighborhood district boundaries, and special points of interest.
- Letter of Support from FHLBank member
- Letter of Support from local government member (template available)
Optional:
- Relevant community plans, vision, and/or economic position statements.
“No, the Local Government Official does not have to be an elected official, as we have had staff participate in the past cohorts. Remember that the main goal is to make sure that the Blueprint Communities® plan aligns with what the municipality is doing and will have their support. If the community decides to have a municipal staff person be the local government representative, make sure that they have a role that provides advisement to the elected officials. During the planning process, we will also be advising that the team is presenting occasionally to the municipal council to make sure all are on the same page too.”
How The Blueprint Communities Work
Teams that complete the Blueprint Communities program will gain a thorough understanding of how to create sustainable communities and the elements necessary for success. Communities will have developed a:
- Vision
- Draft community plan based on that vision
- Clear action strategy (including a funding strategy)
- Process to measure outcomes
- List of next steps/timeline to move the process forward
“Developing the Blueprint”, Pennsylvania Borough News July 2014
Become a Member and Strengthen Your Community
Join the Pennsylvania Downtown Center and access a wide range of resources and support to help your community flourish. As a member, you’ll enjoy discounted services, stay informed about funding opportunities, and connect with a statewide network of dedicated professionals working to revitalize Pennsylvania’s downtowns and neighborhoods.