Technical assistance

Top 10 of 2013: Helping state DOTs innovate and excel

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TDOT

This month we’re looking back at some of Smart Growth America’s brightest moments and greatest accomplishments from 2013. Today’s highlight: Our work helping state departments of transportation innovate and excel.

States across the country are facing the same challenges. Revenues are falling and budgets are shrinking. Yet state transportation officials have ambitious goals: improve safety, enhance economic opportunity, improve reliability, preserve system assets, accelerate project delivery, and help to create healthier, more livable neighborhoods, just to name a few.

Technical assistance

Applications close Friday for Smart Growth America's 2014 free technical assistance workshops

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coolplanningboulder
The City of Boulder, CO created this poster following their February workshop on cool planning.

The application window for Smart Growth America’s 2014 free technical assistance workshops is closing soon! If your community is considering applying for one or more of these workshops, applications are due by this Friday, December 6, 2013 at 5:00 PM EST.

In 2013, 22 communities were awarded these free workshops, including small towns like Blue Springs, MO and Campbell, NY and major cities like Houston, TX. These communities have used what they learned at our workshops to inform new projects, new plans—and even posters!

Technical assistance

Top 10 of 2013: 22 communities learn about smart growth strategies through our free workshops

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EOYA22Communities

This month, we’re looking back at some of Smart Growth America’s brightest moments and greatest accomplishments from 2013. Today’s highlight? Our annual free technical assistance workshops.

Each year Smart Growth America makes a limited number of technical assistance workshops available to interested communities for zero cost. This competitive award gives communities a chance to understand the technical aspects of smart growth development through a one- or two-day workshop.

Technical assistance

Reno, NV hosts workshop on smarter development

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downtownreno
Downtown Reno and the Truckee Meadows. Photo by Tonya Poole via Flickr.

In October Smart Growth America visited Reno, NV, to meet with residents and local officials there as part of a “Planning for Economic and Fiscal Health” technical assistance workshop.

The workshop aimed to lay the groundwork for the Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency (TMRPA) to examine different development models for the region, with the ultimate goal of creating a regional plan for sustainable development.

Technical assistance

Smart Growth America, MDOT and MSHDA release findings of year-long projects in five Michigan communities

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Downtown Grand Rapids, MI. Photo by Keith Caterino. Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, one of five communities included in Smart Growth America’s work. Photo by Keith Caterino.

Smart Growth America is pleased to unveil a new resource today with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). The report, “Leading Livability: Pilot Transportation Demand Management and Mobility Management Programs of Five Michigan Communities”, is designed to help local leaders in Michigan learn how transportation and mobility improvements can strengthen their local economies and create more livable communities.

Technical assistance

Now available: "Applying for 2014's free technical assistance" webinar recording

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epa-ta-webinar-thumbThank you to everyone who was able to attend our webinar, Learn about applying for Smart Growth America’s free technical assistance on Wednesday, November 6, 2013.

The webinar provided an overview of Smart Growth America’s 2014 free technical assistance workshops. Leading the webinar was Roger Millar, Director of Smart Growth America’s Leadership Institute, who discussed the 12 types of workshops available, who is eligible to apply and details of the selection process, including important deadlines. Our partners from Global Green USA also discussed their complementing series of free technical assistance workshops.

Technical assistance

Join us tomorrow to learn all about our 2014 free technical assistance workshops

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Technical assistance workshop in Reno, NV
A Smart Growth America technical assistance workshop in Reno, NV.

Are you considering applying for one of Smart Growth America’s 2014 free technical assistance workshops, but don’t know where to start?

Join us tomorrow, Wednesday, November 6, 2013 at 2:00 PM EST for a free webinar about the 12 types of workshops available, who is eligible to apply and details of the selection process. This event is free but registration is required.

Technical assistance

Applications now being accepted for Smart Growth America’s 2014 free technical assistance workshops

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Technical assistance workshop
A technical assistance workshop in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Applications are now being accepted for Smart Growth America’s 2014 free technical assistance workshops. Each year Smart Growth America offers free assistance to local communities interested in building stronger local economies and creating great neighborhoods. These workshops will be awarded to a limited number of qualifying communities.

Now in its third year, this free workshop program helps city, county and regional leaders find solutions to local issues and concerns. Our workshops help participating communities to grow in ways that benefit families and businesses while protecting the environment and preserving a sense of place.

Technical assistance

Chula Vista, CA hosts Smart Growth America workshop on sustainable building practices through LEED ND

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Chula Vista, CA
Third Avenue in Chula Vista, CA. Photo by the City of Chula Vista via Facebook.

Smart Growth America visited Chula Vista, CA this week to meet with residents and local officials, and to explore together the city’s options for incorporating sustainable practices in the community, through the lens of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Neighborhood Development (LEED ND) program.

The City of Chula Vista is working toward its sustainability goals with its Climate Action Plan and other initiatives. This week’s workshop was designed to help City officials understand how neighborhood development can contribute to that vision.

Technical assistance

Smart Growth America holds workshop in Cincinnati, OH on implementing transit-oriented development

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Cincinnati, OH
Cincinnati, OH. Photo via Flickr.

Smart Growth America visited Cincinnati, OH, last week to meet with residents and City officials about the many benefits of transit, and development surrounding transit, and why these strategies are important to future development in Cincinnati and the surrounding region.

In June the City of Cincinnati adopted a new comprehensive plan, has updated the Green Cincinnati plan and is currently revising its land development code. All three emphasize strategies that will help support smart growth in Cincinnati.

Technical assistance
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