LOCUS

The latest developments, events, and resources from LOCUS:

Senate Appropriations Committee Bill Protects Transit, TIGER and Community Development Programs

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Yesterday, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the fiscal year 2018 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. The bipartisan bill makes investments in infrastructure, provides funding for economic development projects, and helps to meet the housing needs of the nation’s most vulnerable individuals and families. The bill reflects a total allocation of … Continued

LOCUS Transportation Uncategorized

2017 Federal Financing Toolkit

Note: The 2017 Federal Financing is no longer for sale, but you can purchase a copy of the updated 2019 Federal Financing Toolkit here. As demand for smart growth development rises across the country, real estate developers and investors as well as local elected officials are looking for innovative approaches to finance these complex projects. … Continued

LOCUS

The House introduced its FY2018 THUD spending bill. Here’s what’s in it.

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On July 10, the House Appropriations Committee introduced its version of the fiscal year 2018 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development spending bill. The bill includes funding for the Department of Transportation (USDOT), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and other related agencies. In total, the bill reflects an allocation of $56.5 billion in discretionary spending — $1.1 billion below fiscal year 2017 levels and $8.6 billion above the President’s request.

Advocacy LOCUS

Congress hears testimony on why TIFIA is so important, and how it can be improved

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On July 12, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works held a full committee hearing entitled, “The Use of TIFIA and Innovative Financing in Improving Infrastructure to Enhance Safety, Mobility, and Economic Opportunity.”

The hearing focused on the nation’s enormous need for infrastructure investment, and how Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loans can help meet it. Christopher Coes, Vice President for Real Estate Policy and External Affairs, joined the hearing to testify.

Advocacy LOCUS

Join us for a crash course on federal TOD financing programs

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Many transit-oriented development projects are made possible with the help of financing from federal government programs. The details of those programs, however, are tougher to understand. What programs might your development project be eligible for? What time of year do applications open, and when are awards announced? And what do some of the most popular programs look for in applications?

Join us on Thursday, July 20, 2017 at 1:00 PM EDT for a free webinar that will answer all these questions and more. “A crash course on federal TOD financing programs” will provide an overview of programs available through USDOT, HUD, and EPA to help municipal leaders, real estate developers, and transit agency staff create more development near transit stations.

Economic development Events LOCUS

Showcase your community to developers

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The Local Leaders Council and LOCUS, Smart Growth America’s coalition of real estate developers and investors, are teaming up to match local leaders with developers to get smart growth projects built. Strong relationships are key—smart growth-minded local leaders must connect with developers and investors, in the right place, at the right time, to get the ball rolling.

Local Leaders Council LOCUS

Trump’s budget would disinvest in communities

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Earlier this week, President Trump released his full fiscal year (FY) 2018 federal budget which, if enacted, would represent an enormous reduction in federal spending on America’s safety net and other vital domestic programs. As proposed, the budget would slash non-defense discretionary spending by $54 billion next year, but increase federal spending on defense and border security. And while Trump’s proposal does include $200 billion for infrastructure, it either eliminates or drastically reduces key federal programs that support attainable housing, community development, affordable transportation, and a clean and healthy environment.

Advocacy LOCUS

Speaker presentations from the 2017 LOCUS Leadership Summit

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Commissioner John Schroer of the Tennessee Department of Transportation was one of the presenters at the 2017 LOCUS Leadership Summit.

The 2017 LOCUS Leadership Summit featured an exceptional group of real estate developers, investors, local elected officials, and transportation professionals who came together to discuss a range of topics affecting walkable, urban development in the United States today.

The Summit’s speakers talked about cutting-edge ideas for public/private partnerships, local and federal policy, place-making benefits, and more. If you are interested in a recap of what got discussed, all of this year’s speaker presentations are below.

Local Leaders Council LOCUS

A recap of the 2017 LOCUS Leadership Summit

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The 2017 LOCUS National Leadership Summit took place at the historic National Press Club in Washington, DC, bringing together responsible real estate developers, investors, transportation professionals, and local leaders from across the country to talk about obstacles and opportunities in building walkable neighborhoods served by transit.

Local Leaders Council LOCUS
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