Blog | Smart Growth America

State safety targets show need for Congress to further prioritize safety

By Guest Contributor · October 27, 2020

Cyclists queue at a stop sign.

For decades, state departments of transportation have treated pedestrian and cyclists fatalities like weather events: something that increases simply as people drive more, putting these deaths outside of the control of DOTs. But with COVID-19 proving this to be false, it’s past time for state DOTs to implement performance measures to reduce the number of people killed while walking or biking. Here’s our comparison of state safety targets.

What you might not know about the inevitable closure of nuclear power plants across the U.S.

By Steve Davis · October 20, 2020

Absent major changes, the majority of the nuclear power plants in the U.S. may close in the next few decades. This presents an enormous economic development challenge in what are mostly fairly small or rural communities where these plants are located.

Economic development Resilience Economic Development EDA Nuclear Project Energy nuclear power Rural Small Towns

If you have to Zoom, come and Zoom with SGA at these October events

By Steve Davis · October 19, 2020

There’s a lot happening at SGA this week and next—don’t miss these six chances to learn more, hear some vital discussions, and hopefully help fuel your own local advocacy for building sustainable, equitable communities. It starts tomorrow, Tuesday, October 20:

Uncategorized Climate Change Equity Events Opportunity Zones Smart Cities Webinars

Coming next week: The impact of Opportunity Zones on small businesses

By Steve Davis · October 19, 2020

With investments from the Opportunity Zone tax incentive flowing into these newly designated zones for a few years now, our new report sought to find out: Are these investments supporting small business stability and growth, achieving the stated goal of place-based economic development and job creation in distressed communities? If not, why not? And what are the risks and rewards specifically for minority-owned legacy businesses within Opportunity Zones?

Economic development Economic Development minority-owned businesses Opportunity Zones Real estate Small business Tax Incentives

We’ll never address climate change without making it possible for people to drive less

By Steve Davis · October 14, 2020

With transportation accounting for the largest share of carbon emissions in the U.S., we’ll never achieve ambitious climate targets or create more livable and equitable communities if we don’t find ways to allow people to get around outside of a car—or provide more housing in places where that’s already an option. Our new report shows how we can reach those targets while building a more just and equitable society.

Advocacy Climate Change Complete Streets Transportation Accessibility Advocacy Climate Change land use New Reports Safety Transportation

21 elected officials selected to champion Active People, Healthy Nation in communities across the country

By Smart Growth America · October 7, 2020

Today, we are proud to announce the selection of 21 local elected officials to join the inaugural class of the Active People, Healthy Nation℠ Champions Institute. Over the course of six months, these leaders will receive comprehensive training to help them become champions in their communities to promote activity-friendly routes to everyday destinations.

Complete Streets Technical assistance Transportation Active transportation Complete Streets health Local Leaders

Now hiring: LOCUS National Deputy Director

By Smart Growth America · September 23, 2020

LOCUS seeks a passionate and experienced Deputy Director to manage the day-to-day operations of the coalition, execute a communications and membership strategy, as well as convene technical experts, all of which will facilitate knowledge sharing, and coordinate sector-wide advocacy.

Uncategorized Jobs at SGA

Now hiring: Communications Associate

By Smart Growth America · September 23, 2020

Smart Growth America is seeking an experienced Communications Associate to join our communications team, tasked with developing and spreading SGA’s core message to a national audience: What is smart growth, what are the benefits, and why it is urgently needed in towns, cities, and rural places of all sizes across the country?

Uncategorized Jobs at SGA

Meet the artists taking on COVID-19 transportation challenges

By Mae Hanzlik · September 3, 2020

Graphic including map of US with photos of five artist.
Smart Growth America is excited to announce the selection of five artists for our Arts & Transportation Rapid Response initiative. These five artists will be working in tandem with five local transportation agencies to design and implement projects that address pandemic-related transportation challenges and systemic inequities.

Creative Placemaking Transportation Uncategorized artists arts and culture coronavirus COVID-19 creative placemaking Transportation

Searching for a Complete Streets champion

By Sean Doyle · August 12, 2020

Temporary bike lanes in Paris, France.
A Complete Streets policy is just part of what makes it possible for a community to create safer streets, but political leadership is key. To help prepare more of our elected officials to effectively advocate for and support Complete Streets, Smart Growth America has launched the Champions Institute. We are accepting applications from local officials through September 10, 2020.

Complete Streets Technical assistance Champions Institute COVID-19 Local elected officials