News

In this issue:

• Federal Policy Update
• Two webinars for communities interested in learning in free technical assistance
• Have you found or completed studies on the fiscal impacts of smart growth on local governments? If so, send them to SGA.
• SGA and the State Smart Transportation Institute release “The Innovative DOT: A handbook of policy and practice”
• LOCUS and George Washington University release new research highlighting rising demand for homes and businesses in walkable neighborhoods
• Transportation for America holding workshops on federal transit financing this fall
• Good Jobs First is testing a new tool to optimize investments for economic, environmental, and social impact
• Save the date – New Partners for Smart Growth Conference February 7-9, 2013

Federal Policy Update

Last week, Congress returned from August recess with both the House and the Senate set to adjourn at the end of the week until after the elections. The only measure expected to pass Congress during the two week legislative session is a ‘continuing resolution’ to extend current government funding through March 27, 2012. The continuing resolution passed the House with overwhelming support last week and is expected to pass the Senate in the next few days. With little progress made on the annual spending bills by Congress, leaders in both chambers are pushing the passage of a continuing resolution to avoid the threat of a government shutdown so close to the November election. As the result of the passage of a continuing resolution we must wait to see the level of funding for federal programs that Smart Growth America supports in Fiscal Year 2013.

As part of a compromise legislation to raise the debt limit last summer, a “super committee” of members of the House and the Senate to identify $1.5 trillion over the next ten years. However, consensus was not reached, and unless Congress passes a comprehensive deficit reduction plan before the beginning of 2013 sequestration will be triggered resulting in large cuts in both defense and non-defense discretionary spending. Last week, the Office and Management and Budget released a report required by Congress outlining the cuts that will go into effect as a result of sequestration on January 2, 1013. It reported only top level cuts and did not identify specific programs.

Two webinars for communities interested in learning about free technical assistance

Interested in applying for Smart Growth America’s free technical assistance, but not sure where to start? Then join us for one of two webinars on EPA’s technical assistance program overall and SGA’s TA work in particular.

Webinar #1: Join Smart Growth America and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Office of Sustainable Communities for an informational webinar on Friday, September 21, 2012 from 1:00-2:30 PM EDT. The webinar will provide a comprehensive look at the free technical assistance available to communities, including the programs, processes, and application timelines that each grant recipient offers. Click here for more details about the webinar and the technical assistance program.

Webinar #2: Smart Growth America will begin accepting applications soon for a series of free technical assistance workshops for local communities interested in smart growth strategies. Organizations or communities interested in applying for this assistance are invited to join a webinar on Thursday, September 27th at 2:00 PM EDT to discuss the application process and important deadlines. This webinar is free and open to all, but advanced registration is required. Communities interested in this free-of-charge technical assistance can visit SGA’s website to learn more about this exciting opportunity. Full application guidelines as well as a digital application form are available there.

Have you found or completed studies on the fiscal impacts of smart growth on local governments? If so, send them to SGA.

Smart Growth America is undertaking a review of studies and other literature demonstrating that smart growth has more favorable fiscal impact for local governments than sprawl. We are especially interested in so-called “lifecycle studies” that show the ongoing revenues and ongoing cost of providing services, rather than just up-front infrastructure costs.  However, this is a short-term project expected to take only a few weeks, so please forward any information by October 1.

If you know of any such studies in your region or your community please send links to those studies to Bill Fulton.

Smart Growth America and the State Smart Transportation Institute release “The Innovative DOT: A handbook of policy and practice”

Smart Growth America has teamed up with the State Smart Transportation Initiative to create a resource to inform senior state-level transportation officials as they make decisions that position their agencies for success. This handbook of transportation policy and practice for the new economy collects the innovative approaches state leaders are already using to make systems more efficient, government more effective, and constituents better satisfied.

Click here to download the report. If you have any questions about the report, please contact Rayla Bellis.

LOCUS and George Washington University release new research highlighting rising demand for homes and businesses in walkable neighborhoods

A new report from The George Washington University’s Center for Real Estate and Urban Analysis, in partnership with LOCUS: Responsible Real Estate Developers and Investors and ULI Washington, reveals how walkable urban places and projects will drive tomorrow’s real estate industry and the U.S. economy, and outlines what actions are needed to take advantage of these market trends.

Click here to download the “The WalkUp: Wake-Up Call”.

Transportation for America holding workshops on federal transit financing this fall

With local sponsors, Transportation for America is holding workshops on federal transit financing in a post-earmark era, bringing together high level officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation, national transportation financing experts, and leaders from other regions with transit success stories. Workshops will be held in Seattle, WA (October 4th) and Nashville, TN (October 11th) and SGA coalition partners are encouraged to participate and extend invitations. Please contact Rochelle Carpenter with Transportation for America for more information via email or phone: 202-955-5543 x224.

Good Jobs First is testing a new tool to optimize investments for economic, environmental, and social impact

Good Jobs First is testing a new on-line tool designed to help optimize economic development investments for economic, environmental, and social impact — what’s referred to as the triple bottom line or TBL. Funded by the US Economic Development Administration (EDA), the TBL Tool can be used to design for better outcomes, decide between projects, or describe project impact. The TBL Tool was created with significant practitioner input (including Good Jobs First and hundreds of others, maybe you, too!) and is useful in public, private, and non-profit settings across a range of communities and economic development investment types.

The Beta version of the TBL Tool can be accessed here. Begin with the overview video posted on the home page and the section titled Using the Tool that is provided in the User’s Guide — then, take the TBL Tool for a test drive and share your feedback in the brief on-line survey. Doing so will help ensure that the TBL Tool responds to on-the-ground conditions.

Save the date – 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 on the New Partners website.