This month, ILSR offers insight into how our projects connect to this month’s events, research, and news stories. –> Look Inside!

Jay OwenCommunity Development Solutions, Wealth of Networks

This month from ILSR:

  • The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) relied heavily on ILSR research for its recently issued new rules on Community Broadband Networks. Read our insight
  • Our article on how neighborhoods are developing their own commercial real estate has been widely discussed. Read the article.
  • TODAY is the deadline for signing up for the Community Composting Course through Neighborhood Soil Rebuilders. Click to register!


The old addage, “everything is connected” is the underlying principle of local self-reliance. This month, we include “ILSR insight” sections to see how the pieces fit together.

Feedback? we’d love to hear from you.. Please email our communication specialist, Rebecca Toews: [email protected].

FCC Vote is a huge win for local authority and self-reliance

Last month, the FCC ruled that Tennessee and North Carolina municipally-owned telecommunications networks have the right to extend to surrounding communities. ILSR has been working toward this moment for more than eight years.

ILSR Insight:
When it comes to our telecommunication futures, the FCC ruled that states cannot create barriers to expanding publicly-owned networks.

Read the main points –>

This New Model Lets Communities Own and Develop Their Commercial Spaces

Communities are taking back their streets by developing commercial real estate on their own through investment cooperatives. The first efforts are small but the potential for development guided by the interests of those who live in the neighborhood is large.

ILSR Insight:
Community-owned real estate can enable local businesses, keep money in the local area, and promote a healthy and vibrant commercial corridor. The investment cooperative model represents an alternative to decaying business districts that are controlled by faraway retail chains and financed by giant Wall Street banks.

Read the article –>

Small-scale solar contributes 13% of new power plant capacity in 2014

The growth of solar continues at a furious pace. But the bigger tale may be the persistent growth of small-scale solar, on residential and non-residential rooftops (and property). These projects, a megawatt or smaller, contributed 13% of new power plant capacity in 2014, a new record.

ILSR Insight:
Power to the people is rapidly becoming more than an organizing slogan. As people become producers as well as consumers of electricity they become more active and informed participants in the energy planning process.

View the Chart –>

The politics of the NCAA Sweet Sixteen

When television cameras zoomed in on Kansas Governor Sam Brownback in the middle of the Kansas-Wichita State NCAA basketball game a thunderous chorus of boos broke out. Viewers gained a rare glimpse of the politics behind March Madness. The announcers pointedly ignored the boos.

ILSR Insight:
March Madness indeed. The kids are playing their hearts out for state legislators who consistently demonstrate their heartlessness by refusing to support them off the court.

Read the article –>

Bloomberg News – Requiem for a store where everyone knows your name, Stacy Mitchell

Mother Jones – New York just showed every other state how to do solar right, John Farrell

Minnesota Public Radio – St. Paul to pay Comcast for high-speed cable, Chris Mitchell

CityWatch LA – The Politics of the Sweet Sixteen, David Morris

Eco-Cycle is Hosting its Inaugural Green Star Gala!

“Combating Climate Change with Zero Waste”

The waste and climate connection is real – learn how our consumption and our trash are fueling climate change and what you can do about it!

 

Register for the event–>

Neighborhood Soil Rebuilders Composter Training Program

The Neighborhood Soil Rebuilders training program is a community composter training program with a community service component. This program was developed by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and ECO City Farms. The course provides an integrated experiential learning environment: half in the classroom and half doing hands-on training. The course also includes a compost site tour and a compost bin build day.

Dates and Times: April 24th-26th and May 8th-10th, from 9am-6pm on Fridays and Saturdays (with a 1-hour break for lunch), and 1pm-5pm on Sundays.

 

Learn more–>

Click the links below to learn ILSR events.


April 13-16 Mitchell at Broadband Communities Summit, Austin, MN

April 16 – Brenda Platt at Green Star Gala, Boulder, CO

April 19 – Young Activist Club tabling at Takoma Park Earth Day event.

April 13-16 April 24-26 – Neighborhood Soil Rebuilders Community Composter Training (Week 1)

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