A rendering of streetscape plans for Buena Vista Township. Image via MLive.com.
Smart Growth America will meet with residents and leaders of Buena Vista, MI next week to help identify new strategies that could attract business investments and stabilize neighborhoods in the township.
Buena Vista Township residents are invited to join the workshop’s first day for a public presentation on March 5, 2013 from 6-8 PM at the Buena Vista Community Center, 1940 South Outer Drive, Saginaw, Michigan.
“This technical assistance workshop will allow the experts at Smart Growth America to help Buena Vista in furthering our economic development goals, such as local economic realignment, business attraction and rightsizing our infrastructure,” said Township Supervisor Dwayne Parker. “We couldn’t be more honored to have their assistance.”
“This is yet another feather in Buena Vista’s cap, and shows that the Township Board of Trustees’ and Downtown Development Authority’s commitment to community planning and economic development is positioning our Township for continued success,” Interim Township Manager Dexter Mitchell added.
“Smart Growth America is committed to providing the tools and training to help community leaders keep their cities and towns livable, sustainable and vital places,” said Roger Millar, Director of Smart Growth America’s Leadership Institute. “Buena Vista is currently leading a 14-month economic development planning process, and the township is eager to adopt new strategies that could strengthen and add to the community’s assets. This workshop will help town leaders be better prepared to develop policies and tools to bring long-term success and business growth.
In November 2012, Buena Vista Township was one of 22 communities selected by Smart Growth America to participate in the free technical assistance program. Stretching from Maine to Washington State, these communities represent major cities, suburban centers, and rural towns alike.
The program, made possible through a five-year Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Sustainable Communities, seeks to develop local planning solutions that help communities grow in ways that benefit families and businesses, while protecting the environment and preserving a sense of place. Three other nonprofit organizations—Forterra, Global Green USA and Project for Public Spaces—also received competitively awarded grants under this program to help communities get the kinds of development they want.
Workshop Materials