Video Case Study: Regional Economic Collaboration Across State Lines
Political boundaries often serve as roadblocks that keep economic entities from cooperating or collaborating. Regional economic development is premised on the notion that regions are defined through shared economic goals - not through arbitrary lines on a map. This video case study demonstrates how political boundaries found in North Carolina and South Carolina can be successfully overcome and how economic collaboration can take place across state lines.

Department of Defense Announces Compensation and Benefits Handbook for Service Members and Families
The Department of Defense has announced the availability of a comprehensive handbook describing compensation and other benefits service members and their families would be entitled to upon separation or retirement as a result of serious injury or illness.

"Compensation and Benefits Handbook is the one source of information that covers everything a seriously ill and injured service member will need during his or her recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration" said Ronald A. Winter, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and reserve affairs.

The handbook was compiled in cooperation with the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and the Social Security Administration. Additionally; there are references to assistance provided by other governmental and non-governmental agencies and organizations.

"The handbook describes the disability eligibility process, various program qualifications, application procedures, and numerous resources with associated contact information," said Sharon Gunselman, policy and resource analyst for the Department of Defense.

Web sites and toll-free numbers are provided, and the electronic version includes hyperlinks. The electronic version of the handbook will be updated frequently and the hard copy of the compensation and benefits handbook will be updated annually.

The electronic version of the handbook can be found on the five Web sites listed below:

http://turbotap.org
http://www.npc.navy.mil

IREC Announces National Conference on Workforce Education in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fields
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) has announced that dates have been set for the third national conference on workforce education in the renewable energy and energy efficiency fields - November 18 - 20, 2009. IREC notes:

The conference will offer the most current information on instructional strategies, curricula development, and best practices for training.

Join us for two days of conference sessions dealing with some of the best practices and teaching models underway across the country at community colleges, technical high schools, skill centers, the trades, industry, and other training centers and organizations. The conference will be preceded by one day of technical workshops. It will be three days packed with information you will want to know if you are offering or planning training programs (degree granting, certification, continuing education, public education, etc.) for the renewable energy and energy efficiency markets.

A "Call for Presentations and Workshops" will be released in January, 2009.

This conference is sponsored by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. It is organized by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council in collaboration with the Partnership for Environmental Technology Education, Hudson Valley Community College and Lane Community College.

Please visit the IREC website for updates and conference information.

"Entrepreneurship: Where Practice and Theory Meet" Conference Scheduled for St. Louis (November 6 - 7)
This early November conference (Entrepreneurship: Where Practice and Theory Meet)in St. Louis brings entrepreneurship practitioners and researchers together to discuss current research and share best practices for creating successful new ventures and vibrant rural economies, with a special focus on rural entrepreneurship. The conference will highlight the recently completed evaluations of two major initiatives: The Appalachian Regional Commission's 10-year Entrepreneurship Initiative and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation's Entrepreneurship Development Systems in Rural America program. Keynote speakers Elaine Edgcomb (The Aspen Institute) and Deb Markley (RUPRI) will summarize in-depth evaluations of the two initiatives and describe impressive success and some challenges. Conferees will meet in small groups to explore how the evaluations and examples apply in their own situations. The workshop will also feature recent developments in Europe (John Potter, OECD, Paris) and presentations from U.S. groups and individuals who have recently started community and small region entrepreneurial initiatives.

Conference sponsors:

• McQuinn Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, University of Missouri
• ExCEED, University of Missouri Extension
• Rural Policy Research Institute
• St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank
• Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank

Additional background / registration

EEOC Seeks Public Comment on Extension of Employer Information Report (EEO-1)
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced it is seeking public comment by December 2 on the proposed extension (without change) of the Employer Information Report (EEO-1).

EEO-1 data are used by EEOC to investigate charges of employment discrimination against employers in private industry and to provide information about the employment status of minorities and women. The data are shared with the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), U.S. Department of Labor, and several other Federal agencies.

Private industry employers with 100 or more employees and certain Federal Government contractors and first-tier subcontractors with 50 or more employees must complete the form.

Full background / instructions for submission of comments

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EDA Modifies Procedure for Investment Assistance
The Economic Development Administration (EDA) has modified its procedure for investment assistance.

In the past, eliglble applicants were required to complete and submit a Pre-Application for Investment Assistance (Form ED-900P), followed by an Application for Investment Assistance (Form ED-900A) if EDA deemed that the proposed project merited further consideration. In addition, applicants were required to submit additional application forms to address EDA's programmatic requirements, depending on the type of funding assistance sought.

EDA announced today it has now introduced the new Form ED-900 which consolidates all EDA-specific requirements into a single application form. EDA will continue to require additional government-wide federal grant assistance forms from the Standard Form 424 family as part of the application package.

This change, which is effective November 1, 2008, is prospective and will not affect previously submitted applications or require the submission of new application packages.

Full details ...

Department Awards Training Grants for Safety and Health Training and Educational Programs
The Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has awarded $6.7 million in Susan Harwood Training Grants to 36 recipients encompassing labor unions, community colleges and other nonprofit organizations for safety and health training and educational programs.

The Susan Harwood Training Grants support workplace safety and health training programs that educate employees in industries with high hazard and fatality rates, employees with limited English proficiency, hard-to-reach employees and small business employers. The grants support training programs that address topics such as construction and general industry hazards, and other safety and health topic areas, including shipbreaking hazards and Native American tribal safety and health issues.

News Release

Listing of Grantees

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