If you did not have an opportunity to attend the National Trust for Historic Preservation's webinar, you can watch a recording and view lots of resources here: https://savingplaces.org/section106 Want to learn more and take action? The Trust is sponsoring a second webinar on August 12 at 1:00pm (Central). Register here: https://savingplaces-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/3517857927872/WN_DKv-3Q7dQ7mTOAEScP4ldA#/registration

Forum Webinar: Section 106 Regulations Under Threat Passing along this information from our friends at the National Trust for Historic Preservation If you were not able to participate in Thursday's webinar about changes to Section 106, the recording, other links and slides are available online at https://savingplaces.org/section106. Here is Your To Do List Your insights and stories help make the case for why preservation matters not just to history but to the future we share. In recognition and celebration of our nation’s 250 years—we are setting an ambitious goal of sending 250,000 letters to our elected officials. Join us in this effort. Write to your governor to share how these changes impact historic properties in your location. https://act.savingplaces.org/106governor Write to your members of Congress and consider contacting the district office during the August recess to make your voice heard. https://act.savingplaces.org/106congress Send us examples of Section 106 consultations that benefited your community. https://act.savingplaces.org/106casestudies Be prepared to send comments to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation when the comment period opens.

A reminder about an important and free webinar tomorrow (Thursday) On Friday, July 17, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) proposed damaging revisions to the regulations for Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). If implemented, these new rules would dramatically diminish the effectiveness of the NHPA and the current legal protections for historic and cultural places. As a voting member of ACHP, the National Trust voted against these changes earlier this week. Join the National Trust for Historic Preservation on Thursday, July 30 at Noon (Central) for this webinar that will outline some of the more serious aspects and potential impacts of the proposed changes, provide information about next steps and the timeline for the process, and what you can do to push back against this threat to the work of historic preservation. Register here: https://savingplaces.org/section106

Developing Retail in Your Downtown 2026 Downtown Forum Schedule Released Deadline for registration is August 3! Retail is one of the most visible — and challenging — elements of a downtown. While communities often focus on the businesses they’ve lost, successful districts instead ask: What kind of retail ecosystem fits today, and how can we support it intentionally? Join us for this professional development forum designed for organizations — rather than individual retailers — that play a role in shaping downtown retail success. Participants will explore practical strategies to strengthen existing businesses, recruit the right new retail and create an environment where retail can thrive. Participants will learn how to: Assess the feasibility of retail in their downtown Use market data to guide decision-making Support and retain current retailers through intentional programming Increase foot traffic and cross-promotion Recruit new businesses and prepare spaces for future retail Respond to evolving retail trends in small and mid-sized communities The forum includes best practices, peer discussion and hands-on exercises to help participants leave with ideas they can realistically implement in their own communities. Choose your date and location: August 4 — Orange City August 5 — Waverly August 11 — Earlham August 12 — Washington All workshops are scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch is on your own, with an opportunity to join fellow attendees at a local restaurant. Cost: Free. Refreshments are provided. To register, copy and paste this link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=Rjl9DshYxEC1ygSrZ96RRVtBZ-WCy4RJmNX5bPXfhVBUQjBTNVY0VlBSQkkyM1lBVzlKNVMyNEw1MS4u&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_c Registration deadline: August 3

Free Forum Webinar: Section 106 Regulations Under Threat On Friday, July 17, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) proposed damaging revisions to the regulations for Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). If implemented, these new rules would dramatically diminish the effectiveness of the NHPA and the current legal protections for historic and cultural places. As a voting member of ACHP, the National Trust voted against these changes earlier this week. Join this important and free webinar on Thursday, July 30 at noon (central) that will outline some of the more serious aspects and potential impacts of the proposed changes, provide information about next steps and the timeline for the process, and what you can do to push back against this threat to the work of historic preservation. Register here: https://savingplaces-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/2117846507999/WN_qUj2i_ZqTs-fYMH92nh_3A#/registration

This year, the National Trust’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund is awarding $3 million in grants to support 27 sites across the country that represent Black American joy, resilience, innovation, and activism. Congratulations to Waterloo's Martin's Flats on Fourth and 24/7 BLAC! During the Jim Crow era, the Waterloo, Cedar Falls & Northern Railroad (WCF&N) train terminal was a safe space for Black travelers and Black Waterloo residents as it housed the city’s only non-segregated concession space and grocery store. The building and the surrounding East Fourth Street district became an epicenter of Black community life and civic engagement in Waterloo. The building is currently being redeveloped as Martin Flats on Fourth, in recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. visit to Waterloo in 1959 and its contribution to Black community building and civil rights advancement. Grant funding will support converting vacant space within the historic building into workforce housing for traveling healthcare professionals serving Iowa’s rural and minority communities. [Photograph courtesy of Sharina Sallis, 24/7 BLAC] #twentyfoursevenblac #IowaHistory #iowahistory #iowablackhistory #twentyfoursevenblac