FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 15, 2011
Washington, DC – Thanks to the hard work of both Democrats and Republicans in Congress, White House leaders and Smart Growth America’s national coalition, the final Fiscal Year 2011 continuing resolution includes comprehensive funding for the Partnership for Sustainable Communities. Smart Growth America is proud to be a leader in the effort to support these innovative federal programs that create economic growth in communities across the country.
Geoff Anderson, President and CEO of Smart Growth America, said:
“The Partnership for Sustainable Communities is an excellent investment of taxpayer dollars, and exactly the kind of economic development policy the federal government should pursue. These programs have helped communities across the country lay the foundation for stronger economies through smarter growth strategies. I want to thank all individuals, organizations, businesses and Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle who supported the Partnership in this year’s budget. I encourage the Members of Congress who supported this year’s funds to maintain their commitment to these crucial federal programs in the next fiscal year.”
Smart Growth America worked with national and state partners to lead an advocacy campaign for the Partnership for Sustainable Communities funding in the fiercely debated continuing resolutions. More than sixty national organizations signed a public letter to Congressional leaders in support of the Partnership’s programs, and more than 150 state and local organizations sent letters to their Senators voicing their support as well. Smart Growth America worked with hundreds of advocates to express their support for the Partnership programs, and activated a network of more than 40,000 partners, activists and business leaders to call and write their Representatives and Senators.
About the Partnership for Sustainable Communities
The Partnership for Sustainable Communities, a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, is fundamentally about getting more for every tax-payer dollar. The Partnership helps communities coordinate federal investments in infrastructure, facilities, and services, and meet multiple community objectives with every dollar spent.
Cutting red tape – Local projects get underway faster when federal agencies coordinate their investments upfront. HUD and DOT are identifying conflicting requirements in spending rules to make it easier for towns and communities to leverage federal investments for great economic growth.
According to a recent poll by Smart Growth America, eighty-four percent of Americans want the federal government to coordinate activities and funding between agencies more effectively. The Partnership for Sustainable Communities is one of the best examples of this principle in action.