ASC's Intersections Newsletter — October 25th, 2024
Nora’s Note
Engagement and awareness for housing affordability. We are excited to share that ASC has been awarded a pivotal contract to support public awareness of housing affordability in a project funded by the American Rescue Plan in Rockland County, expanding our work in this critical sector. Nearly 60% of homes in Rockland are single-family, with an average home cost of $700,000, while a median income of $100,000 only qualifies for a $260,000 mortgage. This shortage has left many essential workers—teachers, first responders, retail staff—unable to afford housing. Our campaign, developed in conjunction with cultural and language experts, aims to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and build public understanding of the need to increase housing affordability and accessibility. This new venture marks an important step for ASC as we bring our expertise in community engagement and strategic marketing to address one of the most pressing social issues in the U.S. today.
Transportation
Transit agencies document equity efforts in an APTA report. Since COVID highlighted inequities in public transit for low-income and minority communities, agencies have focused on improving services despite reduced farebox revenues and driver shortages. Affordable, reliable public transit boosts equity, offering access to jobs, healthcare, and quality food. Public engagement is key to ensuring equitable outcomes in agency decisions. Read more about efforts to address transit inequities. (Source: Smart Cities Dive)
Gothamist: Capping Cross Bronx Expressway would bring more parks to polluted borough, report finds
Canary Media: DOE makes $3B commitment to two sustainable aviation fuel projects
KSNT: Kansas invests $31 million in multiple pedestrian, bicycle projects
Climate
A new demo plant will repurpose mining waste and also capture CO2. A demonstration plant being built near Rochester, NY, will recycle gypsum waste into sulfuric acid while capturing CO2 from the atmosphere, a new approach to reducing both industrial waste and carbon dioxide emissions. The sulfuric acid will be used in a metal refining process. Read more about how the project will demonstrate circular economic practices. (Source: Canary Media)
Canary Media: Biden admin awards $2B in new grid resilience grants
S&P Global: DOE offers $900M to propel next-gen reactors for growing power demand
Energy News Network: Minnesota cities tap utility fees to help fund local clean energy and climate action
Economic Development
State awards clean energy grants to western Mass. Communities. Massachusetts has allocated $14.75M for clean energy initiatives focusing on municipalities with populations under 35,000. The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program funds efforts to reduce fossil fuel use, emphasizing clean energy planning, training for building code officials, and technical assistance. The program features a partnership with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and has provided funding to more than 45 communities. Read more on the grants provided to each community. (Source: WWLP)
Associated Press: The Biden administration has now canceled loans for more than 1 million public workers
Transport Topics: States Temporarily Lift Fuel Tax Rules for Hurricane Relief
ABC: FTC adopts 'click-to-cancel' rule, aiming to make it easier to cancel memberships
Digital
A new initiative looks to makes courts more accessible to the public. The Illinois courts system has partnered with local libraries to create Court Access Library Centers, providing residents without legal representation access to technology for remote court appearances, legal information, and document filing. Louisiana, New Mexico, and Washington D.C. are also making similar modernization efforts in their court systems. Read more about efforts to make court systems more accessible and equitable through community partnerships and innovative technology solutions. (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.
Ready to find the “simple truth” solutions to build a better future? We want to hear from you! Get in touch to learn how our signature approach can work for you.
Subscribe to Arch Street Communications' Newsletter Intersections
