Update on the Regional ARRA Coordinating Council
The Regional ARRA Coordinating Council has been meeting monthly and developing targeted strategies to assist in creating initiatives that could maximize and leverage ARRA resources throughout the region. CMAP and the Council offer a range of assistance to state and local agencies in helping to coordinate efforts that will strengthen the region’s competitive advantage, especially in regard to ARRA and other federal funds. In addition to CMAP, the Council includes the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT), The Chicago Community Trust (CCT), Chicago Jobs Council (CJC), Community and Economic Development Association (CEDA), Grand Victoria Foundation, Housing Action Illinois (HAI), Metropolitan Mayors Caucus (MMC), and the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC).

The group recently administered a survey (read more) to recipients of housing, workforce development, energy, and weatherization funds, the results of which will help inform the actions of this group. The Council is also supporting the coordination of three current projects:

1) Information sharing on specific ARRA programs.
2) Workforce development strategy development and collaboration;  click here to see how ARRA workforce funds were distributed in the region by program and region.
3) Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) collaboration and implementation; CMAP formed a consortium of local governments and non-profits that created a regional strategy for deployment of NSP funds, pending a $78 million grant proposal submitted by the consortium in July.

For more information about the Council, please contact Annie Byrne at 312-386-8786 or abyrne@cmap.illinois.gov.