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February is black history month

Black history month gives all Americans a chance to celebrate the significant roles African Americans have played in shaping U.S. history. Carter G. Woodson  pioneered the study of African American history. He is given the credit for starting Negro History Week in 1926, which later became Black History Month.

On founding Negro History Week, Woodson said, “We should emphasize not Negro History, but the Negro in history. What we need is not a history of selected races or nations, but the history of the world void of national bias, race hate, and religious prejudice.

To explore History.com's black history interactive timeline and milestones >>

Nominate America’s oldest worker

Nominations are being accepted until March 15 for America’s outstanding oldest worker. Nominees must be 100 years or older, presently employed working at least 20 hours per week for pay and involved in their community. The event is sponsored by Experience Works, a national, charitable, community-based organization that helps older adults get the training they need to find good jobs in their communities.

Online Tools and Resources

Best Practice Upgrades for Energy Efficient New Homes

The best practices report was prepared by David Meisegeier, ICF International and Glenn Chinery, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Climate Protection Division, for the 2008 American Council for Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings. The report illustrates the energy efficiency impacts of design choices through a discussion on the development of EPA’s Builder Option Packages (BOP) and the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) scores, which they specify.

New tool for calculating income for 502 borrowers

RCAC’s 502 direct income calculator is an excellent tool that will compute annual, adjusted and repayment income for 502 borrowers. For questions or assistance with the calculator, please contact RCAC rural development specialist, Art Seavey at 360/923-0544 or via e-mail at aseavey@rcac.org.

Tribal and small water systems – A vital component of WARN

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Water Security Division recently released fact sheets for small and tribal water systems on the Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN). The fact sheets provide information about WARN, such as its background and mission, small and tribal water systems roles in the membership program and common misconceptions about WARN. To download a copy of the fact sheets from the EPA website:  

Small Water Systems A Vital Component of WARN

Tribal Water Systems A Vital Component of WARN

For questions on the factsheets, please contact Nushat Thomas, EPA

2010 Census - Get the facts from the BBB

An e-mail which falsely claims to be from the Better Business Bureau about the upcoming 2010 Census is inaccurate and BBB is advising consumers to get the facts. Read more>>

Small water systems’ resource

Smallwatersupply.org  is an easy-to-use website with resources for small water system operators. The website features a searchable documents database and calendar. Highlights from technical assistance experts, guest posts and industry updates are published on the blog.

Publications

RCAC’s Rural Review is a journal of expertise

RCAC’s Rural Review focuses on well written and well-researched articles that teach and inform. The Review is a printed publication produced three times a year. It is distributed free of charge to community-based organizations, technical assistance groups and funders supporting and delivering rural development services. To subscribe online or download a PDF versions>>

Safe Drinking Water Trust eBulletin

The Safe Drinking Water Trust eBulletin is a free resource that provides tools focusing on issues facing water and wastewater systems, links to get advice from regional experts of the national Rural Community Assistance Partnership, and quick access to loan information and applications. To subscribe >>

United States continues to lead in geothermal energy capacity and growth

The Geothermal Energy Association (GEA)  released a special report which shows the tremendous growth in the geothermal industry. The report details geothermal projects under development state-by-state and identifies up to $342 million of federal funding currently allocated to 132 geothermal research, development and demonstration projects in 27 states. For a complete copy of the report >>

RCAC Job Opportunities

RCAC rural development specialist – environmental (circuit rider), Northern California will make a difference developing rural utility capacity and assisting Native American tribes. Work with RCAC’s dynamic team providing in field and classroom training.

RCAC rural development specialist – environmental, Northern California will provide training and technical assistance to nonprofit and local, tribal, state and federal government agencies to improve or develop water, wastewater and solid waste systems and programs in rural communities.

RCAC rural development specialist – environmental, Anchorage, Alaska will provide training and assistance to tribal, nonprofit and governmental organizations to improve the management of, build capacity for and/or develop water, wastewater and solid waste systems and programs in rural communities.

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