We were contacted this morning with a very kind note from Ed Fendley of the Office of Sustainable Communities group at the US Evironmental Protection Agency. While kind, he notified us that our community was not ultimately selected in the first round of funded Local Places. They had funding for 25 communities and received a total of 316 applications. While this is disappointing news, it is important to share with you in our wins and our losses. This opportunity was a fun one to participate in and we look forward as always to working together with the community on future opportunities.
Here is Ed’s note:
Dear Friend—
Thank you so much for your community’s interest in participating in the Local Foods, Local Places program.
Local Foods, Local Places generated interest from communities around the nation. Your letter was one of 316 we received.
Resources currently available to the federal agencies sponsoring the program allow us to serve 25 communities. Regrettably, your community is not among those 25 that have been selected to participate.
In the event there are new opportunities or resources that may be of interest to you, we will be in touch. At this time, we cannot say if or when additional funding will be available for a second round of the Local Foods, Local Places program.
We very much appreciate your intention to improve your community through place-based development and local food systems. Best wishes in your efforts to achieve these important goals.
Ed Fendley
Program Manager – Local Foods, Local Places
Office of Sustainable Communities
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
