Downtown Cheyenne, WY. Photo via Flickr.
Cheyenne, WY is working to grow in ways that support the community’s economy as well as the quality of life for residents, and as part of that work the Cheyenne Metropolitan Planning Organization welcomed experts from Smart Growth America on April 21 and 22, 2015 for a “Planning for Economic and Fiscal Health” technical assistance workshop.
Cheyenne-area residents joined the workshop’s first day for an introductory presentation that featured an overview of the relationship between how a community grows and the health of its economy and local finances.
The second day of the workshop brought together an invited group of over 60 stakeholders. During the workshop, city officials provided a presentation of local perspectives on economic development, and how smart growth solutions can make a positive impact in Cheyenne by attracting a vibrant workforce and thriving businesses in the community.
The group included diverse representatives from city, county, and state government, business owners, public health officials, and other community organizations. The invited group viewed additional presentations and brainstormed the challenges and opportunities related to development and redevelopment of key areas in the city, particularly downtown. The workshop also helped participants understand how this approach can inform Plan Cheyenne, the city’s blueprint for development designed to support the region’s long-term economic vibrancy.
Cheyenne was one of 14 communities nationwide selected to receive one of Smart Growth America’s 2015 free technical assistance workshops. Stretching from Florida to Washington State, these 14 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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 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. One other nonprofit organization—Project for Public Spaces—currently has an active grant to help communities get the kinds of development they want.
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