Blog

Acres of innovative manufacturing potential in Lowell, MA

By ·

If you think manufacturing still needs to be exiled to large, polluting, isolated factories, think again. Many of today’s manufacturing spaces are small, clean, shared among multiple firms, and integrated with other land uses. And communities across the country are creating space for these businesses in downtown neighborhoods, and making them part of a place-based approach to economic development.

Small-scale producers and manufacturers can boost local economies by creating new jobs for workers with a wide range of skill sets. When these companies are located in a downtown, however, their economic impact multiplies. These businesses can bring life to vacant industrial properties or storefronts and catalyze broader neighborhood investment. They can also help attract visitors by fostering a community of creative producers.

Technical assistance

Join us for a crash course on federal TOD financing programs

By ·

Many transit-oriented development projects are made possible with the help of financing from federal government programs. The details of those programs, however, are tougher to understand. What programs might your development project be eligible for? What time of year do applications open, and when are awards announced? And what do some of the most popular programs look for in applications?

Join us on Thursday, July 20, 2017 at 1:00 PM EDT for a free webinar that will answer all these questions and more. “A crash course on federal TOD financing programs” will provide an overview of programs available through USDOT, HUD, and EPA to help municipal leaders, real estate developers, and transit agency staff create more development near transit stations.

Economic development Events LOCUS

Now hiring: Content Associate

By ·

Communities across the country are creating vibrant downtowns, revitalized historic spaces, streets that are safe for walking and biking, and transportation systems that keep local economies running. Smart Growth America advocates for the policies that make these places possible.

We’re looking for a Content Associate to bring the stories of these places to our digital audiences. The Associate will be responsible for creating written and visual content that works on our website, in email blasts, and on social media. The portfolio will potentially include reports, blog posts, graphics, email blast language, technical memos, and social media assets on a rage of topics related to neighborhood development and transit-oriented development in particular. This is an opportunity to contribute to the voice of the organization, communicated directly with supporters, and gain valuable hands-on production experience.

Uncategorized

“Rethinking First & Last Mile: Transit-Driven Complete Streets” webinar recap

By ·

On June 29 we hosted “Rethinking First & Last Mile: Transit-Driven Complete Streets”, the fifth installment in our monthly webinar series, Implementation & Equity 201: The Path Forward to Complete Streets. A recording of the webinar is now available above. You can also download the PDF of the presentation, or read the brief recap below.

Complete Streets

One region is creating a unified approach to Complete Streets thanks to our technical assistance—with a twist

By ·

Complete Streets features on Main Street in South Bend, IN. Photo by Smart Streets SB via Twitter.

A bike lane that only lasts one block is not particularly useful. That’s why a Complete Streets approach is about more than remaking one given street. It’s about creating a connected network, where people can easily travel anywhere they need to go by a variety of travel modes.

A similar philosophy is the basis of a new project we are doing with Indiana communities along the border of Michigan, in a region known as “Michiana.” Together with the Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG), we are helping to bring together communities interested in Complete Streets to make the entire region safer and more convenient for everyone, no matter their age, ability, income, race, or how they choose to travel.

Complete Streets

Register now for “Greening the Streetscape: Complete Streets & Stormwater Management”

By ·

The National Complete Streets Coalition is excited to continue our monthly webinar series, designed to help professionals from a variety of disciplines put Complete Streets principles into action. Implementation & Equity 201: The Path Forward to Complete Streets is exploring a new issue each month related to creating safer, healthier, more equitable streets.

Our next webinar will be Greening the Streetscape: Complete Streets & Stormwater Management, taking place on Monday, July 10th from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT. Co-host NACTO will join the Coalition in answering questions such as: How can transportation projects be designed to benefit the environment, promote public health, and manage stormwater, all while creating vibrant, attractive, walkable places? And what innovative strategies are cities around the country using to make their streets safer and more resilient?

Complete Streets

A free assistance opportunity for innovative state DOTs

By ·

DOTs across the country are looking for innovative and flexible ways to meet users’ needs in ways that cost less to build and maintain. Accelerating Practical Solutions is an opportunity for six state DOTs to win a one-day workshop with our expert transportation staff.

DOT Innovation

Everything you need to know about applying for our Safe Streets Academy

By ·

Applications are currently open for the National Complete Streets Coalition’s Safe Streets Academy, a program designed to help jurisdictions transform their commitment to traffic safety into practice.

On Friday, June 23, we hosted a live Q&A webinar all about the Academy application process, and a recording of that event is now available in the video above.

Complete Streets

A new unified home for state smart transportation

By ·

For the past several years Smart Growth America has been helping state departments of transportation improve safety and reliability, preserve their assets, and accelerate project delivery to expand economic opportunity and create healthier, more livable communities.

Our Innovative DOT program has worked with state DOTs in Florida, Vermont, Hawaii, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, and Tennessee. And over those years, we’ve released three editions of The Innovative DOT: A handbook of policy and practice, one of the most comprehensive guides available for DOTs committed to innovative excellence, in partnership with the State Smart Transportation Initiative (SSTI).

DOT Innovation
  • …
  • …