ASC's Intersections Newsletter — January 24th, 2025
Nora’s Note
Stop and Give. The build-up to the Day of Service at ASC is noisy. It starts with share-outs on where to serve, continues on to invites to join mini teams, and ends with collective storytelling and photos. ASC-ers took a break from planning public outreach strategies to show up to fight hunger and poverty at Met Council, create green spaces with NYC Parks, support food resilience at Repair the World, and improve the lives of New Yorkers with New York Cares and UJA Federation of New York. Dr. King once said, "Everybody can be great because everybody can serve." Participating in service projects on MLK Day is a powerful way we connect everyone at ASC to embody his vision and contribute to a better world.
Transportation
NYC launching delivery ‘microhubs’ in 2025 to help reduce truck traffic further in congestion pricing era. To combat trucks impacting traffic and air quality, NYC Department of Transportation is inaugurating a three-year pilot project for 36 on-street “micohub zones” where delivery trucks can transfer goods to smaller delivery vehicles. The program will start this year with five locations in Greenpoint, Clinton Hill, and the Upper West Side. Read more about this new initiative to reduce congestion and improve quality of life on New York’s streets. (Source: AMNY)
Streetsblog NYC: Congestion Pricing Gets Kids To School On Time, Data Shows
GovTech: Connected Vehicle Tech Helps Tampa Tackle Traffic Congestion
Mass Transit: FTA awards $9.6 million in Tribal Transit Program funding in 14 states
Climate
USDA awards $6B to rural clean power initiatives. The USDA has awarded over $6 billion to support renewable energy projects in rural communities, focusing on solar, wind, and battery facilities. Key initiatives include a 250-megawatt solar project in the Southeast and innovative hydropower in Alaska, benefiting over 40 million Americans served by nonprofit electric cooperatives. These investments aim to reduce emissions, cut energy costs, and create jobs in rural America. Read more about rural electric cooperatives. (Source: Canary Media)
Energy News Network: Illinois explores use of renewable energy credits to juice independent transmission projects
Associated Press: Solar farms are booming in the US and putting thousands of hungry sheep to work
AMNY: Los Angeles wildfires: NYC businesses lending a helping hand to victims of catastrophe
Economic Development
Adaptive reuse breathes new life into abandoned schools. 755 school buildings closed across the United States in 2021-2022, presenting both a challenge and an opportunity for adaptive reuse. In recent years, private financing, historic building tax credits and effective community engagement which helps align the redevelopment with community needs and gain crucial public support have facilitated successful transformations. These changes have enabled the conversion of former educational facilities into valuable community assets, fostering urban revitalization. Read more about these strategies. (Source: Smart Cities Dive)
The Hill: Biden forgives $4.5B for 261,000 borrowers in final student loan action
Block Club Chicago: Irving Park Affordable Apartments For Native Americans Get City Council OK
Canary Media: Biden admin offers utilities $22.4B to cut energy costs — and emissions
Digital
New Jersey helps businesses get online. New Jersey’s Small Business E-Commerce Support Program empowers local businesses to thrive in the digital age. With $4 million in state funding, it offers expert consulting for website optimization, digital marketing, and e-commerce tools, benefiting over 400 businesses, including 39% minority owned. Read more about how this initiative drives economic growth and bridges the digital divide for small businesses. (Source: Route Fifty)
About Arch Street Communications
At ASC, we help government agencies, corporations and nonprofit organizations across the globe communicate issues that affect people’s lives. We’re the bold, nimble, women-owned small business (WBE) that has supported strategic communications programs to build stronger communities for 30 years.
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