Fair Shake and Riverwise recently released the first version of the Community Benefit Guide. This Guide is for community advocates and leaders who want to bring community benefits – through community benefit agreements, plans, or ordinances – to their communities. The Guide provides some tools, templates, and examples that all communities can adapt to bring tangible and concrete benefits, protections, and transparency along with new development.
The Guide includes three sections:
- Community Benefits in Southwestern Pennsylvania – Written by Riverwise, this includes reflections about community benefits from the standpoint of an interested but cautious group of community stakeholders. The interest derives from a recognition that community members must be “at the table” to participate in decision making.
- Community Benefits Information, Processes, Tools and Templates – tools to move benefits forward in your community, including:
- Community Education – agendas and materials to facilitate community outreach and education around community benefits in your community.
Fair Shake and Riverwise will support communities throughout the process of community education, technical assistance, and legal support. Use their Contact Us form to reach out for assistance.
In addition, Prairie Rivers Network has created a Community Benefit Planning Fact Sheet designed from the community perspective. It includes definitions, resources, and steps to creating a community benefit plan.