APA Interact November 22, 2017

APA Interact
APA NEWS
We're thankful

The APA Foundation is grateful to everyone who has contributed to the Community Assistance Fund to aid hurricane-affected communities. We have been communicating with FEMA, our chapters, universities, and other partners in Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico. Thanks to your donations, we will be able to respond in concert with these partners as communities complete their needs assessments and develop plans for recovery.
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Step up to certification

The application window for the May 2018 AICP Certification Exam opens on December 1. Earning the AICP credential demonstrates that you have the education, experience, and professional skills of an expert planner, and employers take notice.

Get a head start now by exploring the AICP Exam Guide and other online resources. To get priority review — and the opportunity to resubmit if your application is denied — apply no later than December 7. The exam application window closes December 28.
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POLICY AND ADVOCACY
Tax reform negotiations are coming

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1) passed the House of Representatives, and the Senate is set to vote on its tax reform legislation as soon as next week. The two bills differ in many respects, but they both contain provisions that could have a significant impact on housing, infrastructure finance, and economic development. With bicameral negotiations on the horizon, APA Director of Policy Jason Jordan compares the two bills in a new tax reform legislative analysis.
For better tax reform, learn from history

Historic tax credits have generated $130 billion in private investment and helped to create 2.5 million jobs. Guest bloggers H. Ruth Todd, AICP, and John D. Lesak contend that if the current tax reform measure aims to spur economic growth, then eliminating this financing tool is counterintuitive. They offer compelling reasons why HTCs benefit American communities.
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Streamline your city's permitting and licensing in 2018

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EVENTS
December 12, Washington – Tuesdays at APA–DC, "The Wildland-Urban Interface and Rebuilding after Wildfire" (free, registration requested)  CM | 1

December 13 – "Getting Started to Get Ahead; From Interview to First Days at a New Job," next in APA's Career Reality Webinar series (free; registration required)
OPPORTUNITIES
Surveys

Last chance! The deadline to take the APA/NOAA survey on planners' needs for water-related decision-support tools is extended to November 27.

Take the APA/AARP survey on Livable Communities and Aging through November 30.
Awards and grants

Apply for APA International Division student grants by December 11.

Nominate for the AICP Student Project Awards and Outstanding PSO Awards through December 12.

Nominate for the APA Sustainable Community Division's Fifth Annual Awards for Excellence in Sustainability by January 19.

Submit papers for the APA Transportation Planning Division's Student Paper Competition by January 26
RESOURCES
From our blog

Justin Dula, AICP, writes about the APA Pennsylvania Chapter's Healthy Communities in PA task force's efforts to provide tools to planners to help "make the healthy choice the easy choice" in local communities. The task force is coordinating with state agencies and departments to further healthy community design.
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STAFF NEWS
Welcome and congratulations!

Eva Wilczek, CMP, recently joined APA as the new Director of Meetings. Much of Eva's 20-year career has been in the association world, where she was primarily responsible for an annual meeting similar to APA's National Planning Conference and was involved in educational content, corporate sponsorship, and exhibits.
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And congratulations to Roy Carrington, who was promoted from Network Administrator to IT Manager. Roy has performed at a manager level for some time, coordinating and managing APA's conference room upgrades, network infrastructure, internet security, and IT budget. He also will assume greater responsibility for creating and delivering staff training and programs.
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Work for APA

APA is looking for a Learning Management System Manager to ensure continuous operation of the LMS that supports APA's distance learning needs and to administer APA's online education efforts. This is a new position based in Chicago.
West Central Initiative
Fergus Falls, MN
Richland County Government
Columbia, SC
Washington County
Hillsboro, OR
Borough of Columbia
Lancaster, PA
City of Fairborn
Fairborn, OH
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FROM THE WEB
LAST CALL
November 27 (extended) – Take the APA/NOAA survey on water-related planning tools.

APA offices will be closed tomorrow and Friday, November 24. Happy Thanksgiving!

Bar graph courtesy of Healthy Communities in PA Task Force; Carrington photo by Joe Szurszewski.
Send questions or comments about Interact to interact@planning.org.

Interact is a member e-newsletter of the American Planning Association and its professional institute, the American Institute of Certified Planners.
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