News

In this issue:

• Save the Date! SGA Annual Coalition Meeting and Lobby Day, March 20-21
• Federal Policy Updates
• SGA releases a new report on the federal government’s involvement in the real estate market
• SGA releases new report “City versus suburban growth in small metro areas: Analysis of U.S. Census data in Metropolitan Statistical Areas under one million people”
• Join the National Complete Streets Coalition on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 for its 3rd annual Partners dinner!
• SGA Coalition Member Survey
• Transportation for America has released a new guide to understanding the changes in MAP 21
• National Endowment for the Arts is accepting applications for Our Town grants – due January 14, 2013
• Register now for the New Partners for Smart Growth Conference February 7-9, 2013

Save the Date! SGA Annual Coalition Meeting and Lobby Day, March 20-21

Please stay tuned for more information in the next couple of days.

Federal Policy Updates

On January 1, both the White House and Congress agreed to a tax package to avert the fiscal cliff. The final resolution included several measures that will help communities further implement smart growth strategies including: re-establishing the parity between the parking and transit benefits at $240/month through 2013; extending the 9 percent Housing Credit floor for projects allocated by the end of 2013; and extending the New Markets tax credit program for an additional two years at $3.5 billion.

Also, the Federal Transit Administration altered criteria for transit projects seeking funding from the New Starts and Small Starts programs. Instead of using “travel time savings” to determine whether or not a project should receive funding, the new formula will focus on the number of passengers that are expected to be served. The new formula also takes into account the amount of economic development that will accompany the project. We expect these changes will make it much easier to see transit projects in walkable areas that will also spur economic growth.

SGA releases a new report on the federal government’s involvement in the real estate market

Federal financing and spending on real estate impacts millions of Americans on every street, in every neighborhood, town and rural community. From loan guarantees to commercial tax credits, these programs help those most in need pay their rent, help families purchase their first home, and provide financing for commercial development. The federal government impacts where and how homes and even whole neighborhoods are built.

Federal Involvement in Real Estate is a first-of-its-kind report about the government’s impact on the real estate sector, and how these expenditures could be better serving American families and taxpayers.

To read the full report, download “Federal Involvement in real estate (pdf)” on SGA’s website.

SGA releases new report  “City versus suburban growth in small metro areas: Analysis of U.S. Census data in Metropolitan Statistical Areas under one million people”

New analysis of U.S. Census data from Smart Growth America reveals that cities in small metro areas are gaining population – and most are growing faster than their suburbs. This finding reflects population trends revealed earlier this year in research from the Brookings Institution, which examined growth rates the country’s 51 largest metropolitan areas. But whereas that report looked only at large metro areas like New York, San Francisco and Chicago, Smart Growth America’s research examines what’s happening in the nation’s slightly smaller – but no less important – metro areas.

To read the full report, download “City versus suburban growth rates in small metro areas (pdf)” on SGA’s website.

Join the National Complete Streets Coalition on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 for its 3rd annual Partners dinner

This year’s dinner—conveniently scheduled during the Transportation Research Board annual meeting—brings together expert professionals, well-known advocates, and chief policymakers involved in promoting, designing, and building Complete Streets for a relaxing evening of dinner and conversation.

Dinner will be served at 6:30 PM at Petits Plats, a French bistro located in the Woodley Park neighborhood of Washington, DC. Tickets are available for $150. For $200, our honored guests will be seated at the head table.

Click here to register online. If you have any questions, please contact Laura Searfoss.

SGA Coalition Member Survey

Transportation for America has released a new guide to understanding the changes in MAP 21

After a delay of more than 1,000 days from the expiration of the previous law, in the summer of 2012 Congress adopted an update to the federal transportation program known as Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st century, or MAP-21.

While it stopped short of providing more robust funding or a sweeping vision for infrastructure the 21st century, MAP-21 makes significant changes to federal transportation policy that are critical to understand. There are key provisions that allow for engaged stakeholders, local officials and citizens to push for genuine progress. By the same token, other provisions are cause for concern and will require vigilant monitoring.

Explore the new changes in the legislation and how to use them effectively in your community by downloading “Making the Most of MAP-21 (pdf)” on Transportation for America’s website.

National Endowment for the Arts is accepting applications for Our Town grants

On October 11, 2012, the NEA posted guidelines and application materials for Our Town, the agency’s primary creative placemaking grants program. Pending availability of funding, grants will range from $25,000 to $200,000.

Our Town will invest in creative and innovative projects in which communities, together with their arts and design organizations and artists, seek to:

• Improve their quality of life;
• Encourage greater creative activity;
• Foster stronger community identity and a sense of place; and
• Revitalize economic development.

Organizations can submit applications until January 14, 2013.

Registration is now open for the New Partners for Smart Growth Conference February 7-9, 2013

This year, the New Partners Conference makes its way to America’s heartland—Kansas City, Missouri. The program will span three full days with optional pre-conference events scheduled for Wednesday, February 6th and post-conference events scheduled for Sunday February 10th. The main program will kick off on Thursday morning, February 7th, and continue through Saturday afternoon. The schedule includes a dynamic mix of plenaries, breakouts, implementation workshops, specialized trainings, peer-to-peer learning opportunities, and coordinated networking activities. It will also feature exciting tours of local model projects in and around the greater Kansas City region. Learn more and register on the New Partners website.