Addressing the challenges and opportunities of the departure of a large local employer

How can communities build an economic recovery in the wake of the departure of a major employer? Our Technical Assistance for Nuclear Communities program heard from a few local leaders who have faced that challenge, and they shared some of the fundamental lessons and best practices that can help communities address many types of economic shock.

Resilience Technical assistance Uncategorized

After nearly 20 years of service, Gov. Parris Glendening begins transition from Smart Growth America, starting new role as senior advisor

Smart Growth America President & CEO Calvin Gladney and Governor Parris Glendening jointly announced that the former Maryland Governor and current President of the Smart Growth America Leadership Institute will be transitioning out of his current role at SGA, while staying on as a senior advisor for the next year.

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Request for proposals: Grant reporting for the Southern Rail Commission

Transportation for America (T4A), a program of Smart Growth America, supports the Southern Rail Commission (SRC) to promote passenger rail  connecting Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana to each other and the broader nation. As part of this work, the SRC was awarded several planning and construction grants from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for both passenger rail stations and capital improvements to support better intercity passenger service along the Gulf Coast.  T4A currently manages these grants for SRC and is seeking support for grant reporting.

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Creating a new space for ideas on the public realm and the role of placemaking in civic life

COVID-19 has forced community leaders, planners, and placemakers to reconsider the value of shared spaces to every aspect of public life. Our new Public Realm Learning Journeys are bringing together leaders from three cities to learn what it takes to create and maintain public spaces that are attractive, safe, accessible to everyone, and meaningfully contributing … Continued

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Looking back on Minnesota and Washington State DOTs’ inaugural artists-in-residence

Last week, we brought together the artists and agency staff involved in the nation’s first ever artists-in-residence at state departments of transportation to reflect on the inaugural year of the program. Speakers shared their reflections on the residencies, how they coped with the current pandemic, lessons learned, and plans for the future of these novel programs.

Creative Placemaking Uncategorized

Helping communities face the difficult challenge of nuclear plant closure

Smart Growth America’s new Nuclear Closure Communities Technical Assistance program is supporting communities that are making the difficult transition when a nuclear plant closes. Our new Nuclear Closure Communities Technical Assistance program is designed to help the dozens of American communities facing the closure of a nuclear plant to better prepare and plan for a … Continued

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