Introducing “Building Resilient States: Profiles in Action”
Communities shouldn’t wait for a flood or a hurricane to see how land use choices will affect their ability to remain resilient in the face of disaster.
Blog
Three new toolkits for smart growth in rural places
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In rural places, a smart growth approach can mean putting a new post office near the elementary school, creating more affordable homes near jobs, or analyzing the long-term financial impact of development decisions.
Announcing the Amazing Place Ideas Forum: Five communities, unlimited ideas
Vibrant, walkable neighborhoods can help attract new residents and jobs, support existing businesses, and benefit everyone’s quality of life. We’re excited to announce an in-person event exploring how these strategies are working in two particular cities—and how communities anywhere can use this approach.
Trump’s budget would disinvest in communities
Earlier this week, President Trump released his full fiscal year (FY) 2018 federal budget which, if enacted, would represent an enormous reduction in federal spending on America’s safety net and other vital domestic programs. As proposed, the budget would slash non-defense discretionary spending by $54 billion next year, but increase federal spending on defense and border security. And while Trump’s proposal does include $200 billion for infrastructure, it either eliminates or drastically reduces key federal programs that support attainable housing, community development, affordable transportation, and a clean and healthy environment.
“The Best Complete Streets Policies of 2016” comes out on June 8
Mark your calendar! Our annual review of the best Complete Streets policies of the last year comes out on Thursday, June 8, 2017!
This year we are excited to celebrate 1,000 Complete Streets policies now in place nationwide. That includes more than 130 passed in 2016 alone. See the full list of places in the running for this year’s best policy — is your community among them?
Smart Growth America statement: “Communities need a partner, not austerity measures”
Yesterday President Trump released his proposal for the fiscal year 2018 federal budget. Geoff Anderson, President and CEO of Smart Growth America, issued the following response:
“There’s a lot of puzzling logic in this budget, but one point stood out to me above the others. It was the budget’s justification for cuts to transportation. Despite a pledge of raising $200 billion for infrastructure spending, the budget explains that because cities are investing in public transportation, the federal government should stop doing so.
The fact that local governments are spending money on public transportation—or housing, or neighborhood revitalization—shows just how much cities value these things. Local governments and the private sector are willing to invest their own dollars to make these things happen. The federal government should follow their lead and help that work go farther.
Now Hiring: LOCUS Massachusetts Outreach Organizer
LOCUS: Responsible Real Estate Developers and Investors is seeking a talented and motivated individual to organize smart growth real estate developers in Massachusetts. In 2011, LOCUS undertook a major regional organizing effort to expand LOCUS’ membership in order advance smart growth policies at the state and regional levels, including Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Outreach Manager will … Continued
Now Hiring: Complete Streets Program Associate
The National Complete Streets Coalition, a program of Smart Growth America, seeks a motivated self-starter to coordinate member involvement and activities as a full-time Program Associate. The position includes significant administrative duties, but will also contribute to research and policy-related projects that advance the Coalition’s objectives. This is an excellent opportunity for a “people person” to … Continued
Webinar recording: Three toolkits for smart growth in rural places
In late April Smart Growth America released three new toolkits for smart growth in rural places. Our Community Facilities Location toolkit helps communities make the most of new facilities like hospitals or post offices. Our Well-Placed Affordable Housing toolkit looks at creating centrally located housing infrastructure. And our Fiscal Impact Analysis toolkit looks at how local government can better understand the long-term financial implications of decisions about new development.
Speaker presentations from the 2017 LOCUS Leadership Summit
Commissioner John Schroer of the Tennessee Department of Transportation was one of the presenters at the 2017 LOCUS Leadership Summit.
The 2017 LOCUS Leadership Summit featured an exceptional group of real estate developers, investors, local elected officials, and transportation professionals who came together to discuss a range of topics affecting walkable, urban development in the United States today.
The Summit’s speakers talked about cutting-edge ideas for public/private partnerships, local and federal policy, place-making benefits, and more. If you are interested in a recap of what got discussed, all of this year’s speaker presentations are below.
Complete Streets News — May 2017
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Webinar next week: Making the Most of Main Street — Join the National Complete Streets Coalition Wednesday, May 17, 2017 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT for our webinar “Making the Most of Main Street: Complete Streets & Walkable Communities.” Co-host America Walks and speakers from Langley, WA will join the Coalition to discuss how a Complete Streets approach can help communities revitalize downtowns. Participants will learn about developing and implementing Complete Streets, the intersection of public health and rural economic development, how to get community members involved, and finding funding.
Now Hiring: Economic Development Intern
Smart Growth America is now hiring a paid Economic Development Intern to support programs within our Policy Development & Implementation team, which focuses on relationships between smart growth strategies and the economic and fiscal health of communities. This person will assist in research and analysis projects, develop materials to support technical assistance engagements, and provide day-to-day administrative and logistical support. This position may also assist with preparing grant progress reports, writing content for our newsletter and blog, and providing short-term assistance to other programs as required. This position reports to Smart Growth America’s Vice President for Economic Development.