Long car trips don’t have to be a part of daily life for small towns and rural communities. Complete Streets are a vital tool for ensuring that rural residents of all ages can get where they need to go safely, efficiently, and affordably—without having to rely on a car. In our new video, created in … Continued
A coffee shop in Pineville, MO is offering high school students an opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge about running a business and pocket scholarship money at the same time. Smart Growth America partnered with T-Mobile to help this learning lab grow, boosting the local and regional economy in the process.
The Carson Valley Arts Council works to provide creative outlets and community gathering places in Minden, NV, and one of their most recent projects is the Copeland Community Arts Center, a site that could help host youth arts education programs, concerts, and festivals. Smart Growth America partnered with T-Mobile to help make this plan a reality.
Erwin, Tennesee’s Unaka Bike Park helps capitalize on one of the town’s best assets: its outdoor recreation options. Smart Growth America partnered with T-Mobile to support the development of the new park, helping to attract new residents and businesses while creating a new recreation space for the town’s current residents.
Smart Growth America partnered with T-Mobile to support Bowling Green’s Parklet Project, converting would-be parking space into appealing dining and retail space.
Clarksville’s Levee Park Beautification Project, supported by T-Mobile funding and Smart Growth America technical assistance, activated underutilized space in the rural community’s downtown, attracting new development and creating a gathering space for locals and visitors alike.
Smart Growth America partnered with T-Mobile to support Atmore, Alabama’s efforts to complete a Water Conservation and Butterfly Pollination Park. These efforts revitalized Atmore’s downtown, supported compact residential development, and helped preserve open land and green spaces.
There’s a demand for opportunities to walk, bike, and roll in rural America, but so far our infrastructure has failed to keep pace. While decision-makers attempt to add safety features to transportation projects, they would do well to remember that pedestrian safety and vehicle speed are opposing goals.
Rural communities in America vary across many dimensions including population and demographic trends, economic and health indicators, and others. Some communities have continued to thrive with improving quality of life and stable or growing economies, while others have experienced a long and slow decline. What is clear is that there are many strategies, including improving … Continued
CREATING CONNECTIONS IN MONTPELIER, VT Location: Montpelier, VT Population: 7,434 (2020) Typologies: Traditional main street Key takeaway: In small cities and rural areas, the effects of emergency situations like a global pandemic can hit especially hard. Finding ways to connect the community during crisis can be essential for resiliency in rural areas Vermont’s capital city, … Continued