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A 2011 technical assistance workshop in Maine. Smart Growth America is pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for our 2012-2013 round of free technical assistance workshops. Smart Growth America’s free technical assistance program helps to facilitate local solutions to local issues and concerns, so that participating communities are able to grow in ways that benefit families and businesses while protecting the environment and preserving a sense of place. Communities interested in learning about smart growth strategies are welcome and encouraged to submit an application for one of our 12 technical assistance tools:

Implementing smart growth 101 Planning for economic and fiscal health Regional planning for small communities Sustainable land use code audit Smart growth zoning codes for small cities Complete streets

Walkability workshop/audit Transportation performance measurement Parking audit Implementing transit-oriented development 101 Cool planning: local strategies to slow climate change Using LEED-ND to accelerate the development of sustainable communities

Details Any unit or subdivision of local government, Indian tribe, or regional government is eligible to apply for these free workshops. Communities should select one workshop per application; applicants may submit additional applications for more than one workshop. The deadline for applications is October 25, 2012 at 5:00 PM EDT. Information about applying If you are considering applying for Smart Growth America's free technical assistance, join us for a free webinar about the application process on Thursday, September 27, 2012 at 2:00 PM EDT. The webinar will provide a comprehensive look at the free technical assistance available to communities, including programs, processes, and the application timeline. This event is free but registration is required: click here to register. About the program Smart Growth America’s technical assistance is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Sustainable Communities under the Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities Program. The Building Blocks program funds quick, targeted assistance to communities that face common development problems. Three other nonprofit organizations — Forterra, Global Green USA and Project for Public Spaces — also received competitively awarded grants under this program this year to help communities get the kinds of development they want.