As part of its goal to strengthen rural communities, Blandin Foundation is once again making its Blandin Community Leadership Program (BCLP) available to residents from the Austin area.

This is the eighth time BCLP training has been available for the Austin area. Examples of how BCLP alumni have used the strategies and skills learned in this training include: advancing community cooperation, addressing issues of ethnic and cultural diversity, promoting tourism, creating economic development opportunities, addressing the needs of seniors, dealing creatively with health, housing, and education issues, and violence reduction, among others.

A committee of local residents is actively seeking applicants. All those interested in the future of the Austin area are invited to apply to participate in this nationally recognized program. Deadline to apply is Monday, Nov. 30.

Applications can be accessed and completed online at: leadership.blandinfoundation.org (Under Events, click on your community).

Ultimately, a community team of 24 people will be selected to take part in eight days of training — a five-day residential retreat scheduled for Feb.22-26, 2016 at Sugar Lake Lodge south of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, and three follow-up workshops scheduled for April 19, June 28, and Sept.13, 2016. BCLP is underwritten by Blandin Foundation, which covers all costs for training, materials, food, lodging and tuition.