How can the change coming to suburbs be harnessed for good?

The notion of the suburbs is nestled deeply in the collective imagination in America, but as we wrote recently, “the suburbs of today aren’t necessarily the suburbs of yesteryear.” In a future that is increasingly urban, where suburbs are rapidly changing, what changes should they consider to stay prosperous and resilient? 

Complete Streets Economic development Form-Based Codes LOCUS Transportation Uncategorized

What did we learn from a half-year of work on Opportunity Zones with six communities?


Throughout much of 2019, Smart Growth America’s LOCUS team worked hand-in-hand with six Massachusetts communities to harness Opportunity Zone investments to benefit rather than displace their residents, and result in walkable, mixed-use communities with a variety of employment and housing options for everyone. We spent a day earlier this month going overall we learned in a public event in Boston earlier this month.

LOCUS

$35.8 billion environmental appropriations bill approved by the Senate Committee on Appropriations, rejects President’s cuts

  The Senate Committee on Appropriations approved the Interior Appropriations Act at $35.8 billion for FY 2020. The Senate’s legislation proposes funding for the U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Forest Service, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and a number of other agencies. The bill is set to be voted on by the full Senate … Continued

LOCUS

Webinar recap, Building Complete Streets: The developer’s perspective


This October, we kicked off our new webinar series, Complete Streets 301: Putting people first, with our first webinar, “Building Complete Streets: The developer’s perspective.” A recording of the webinar is now available. You can also download a PDF of the presentation or read the brief recap below.

Complete Streets LOCUS

Registration now open for the 2019 LOCUS Massachusetts Opportunity Zone Convening

  LOCUS is pleased to announce the 2019 Massachusetts Opportunity Zones Academy Convening! On November 15, public and private sector leaders will be meeting to share their expertise and national best practices to advocate for walkable and equitable communities. The convening will also bring together the communities that received technical assistance during LOCUS’ Massachusetts Opportunity … Continued

LOCUS

Working to ensure that Opportunity Zones are a force for good in your community


With the creation of a new national academy for Opportunity Zones, Smart Growth America and our LOCUS coalition of responsible real estate investors continue to be on the forefront of helping communities use this tax incentive as a force for equitable growth that’s mutually beneficial for both investors and most importantly the people who live and do business in them. 

Economic development LOCUS Technical assistance

The Rockefeller Foundation and Smart Growth America Launch National Opportunity Zones Academy

Press Release
The Rockefeller Foundation and Smart Growth America today announced the launch of the National Opportunity Zones Academy, which will help cities drive sustainable growth in Opportunity Zones by attracting socially responsible investment. Five cities so far have been selected to participate: Chicago, Greater Miami and the Beaches, Pittsburgh, Seattle, and Norfolk, VA.

Economic development LOCUS