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| Community Developers Discuss an Agenda to Renew PA |
At the March 29th Community Development Coalition Meeting, attendees discussed a local strategy and involvement in the Campaign to Renew Pennsylvania (RenewPA), an initiative of 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania. Ed Wilson, Grant Ervin and Mark Schneider of 10,000 Friends provided the background on RenewPA, and Court Gould of Sustainable Pittsburgh informed attendees of the upcoming Smart Growth Conference, a major gathering of local officials and decision makers who will be addressing issues related to the campaign.
Attendees were introduced to two research reports, produced by the Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program and the Pennsylvania Economy League, which signal a clear warning about the future of the state's fiscal health. RenewPA sponsored the Brookings update, and is now working toward state policy reforms that remove barriers, encourage regional cooperation and align public investments to strengthen the markets of our existing communities.
With input from community developers, the local component of the campaign focuses on aligning transportation investments with community investments and supporting local government cooperation that will encourage economic growth. Mark Schneider, of Fourth River Development and a transportation consultant to 10,000 Friends said, "It's about creating the opportunity to be more economically competitive as a region. Using our transportation dollars more prudently and improving our system of local government service delivery can benefit all communities."
Attendees were particularly interested in the Pennsylvania Community Choices Initiative, a proposal that calls for the development of a strategic process to focus transportation investments in core communities and corridors.
The Coalition will meet in June to discuss campaign outreach and advocacy. |
| New Reports on Governance and Fiscal Health of PA |
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Research by the Pennsylvania Economy League, The Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program and Penn State University draws a connection between Pennsylvania's economy and the fiscal health of local governments. Todd Vonderheid, RenewPA's Director of Strategy, said, "The reports show that economic progress requires us to reduce the burdens placed on local government in Pennsylvania."
The Pennsylvania Economy League reviewed more than 30 years of municipal finance data in their report: Structuring Healthy Communities. The report shows that municipal fiscal distress is not confined to Pennsylvania's cities and 'older communities.' Fiscal decline is a statewide problem affecting communities of all types.
Brookings' Committing to Prosperity updates the 2003 Brookings report, Back to Prosperity. The report presents new data that highlights Pennsylvania's challenges and recommends governance reform and reinvestment in the state's existing communities.
Finally, researchers from Penn State University examine Pennsylvania's rural communities in Strengthening Rural Pennsylvania. The report demonstrates the similarities between rural and urban communities, and discusses the opportunities for revitalization.
Together, the reports paint a consistent picture of continued spreading out and hollowing out of Pennsylvania's communities. The reports also present a consensus on a need for a new direction.
Copies of the reports can be viewed at Renew PA Research
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Atlanta Community Leaders Align Transportation Investments and Community Investments |
Atlanta is one of the fastest growing cities in the country. However, rapid growth also brings challenges, particularly in terms of the region's transportation infrastructure. Faced with mounting congestion, poor air quality and poor land use decisions, Atlanta's business, civic and government sectors have joined together to create solutions that would help make the region more attractive for investment. A crucial factor was the business community's recognition that attracting and retaining talent requires a high quality of life and a viable transportation network. A resultant task force developed a series of proposals that are now stimulating a renewed investment in Atlanta's core communities and corridors. Recognizing the connection between land use and transportation, the task force recommended the creation of the Livable Centers Initiative (LCI). ARC has already set aside $350 million in federally allocated transportation resources for LCI projects, helping to turn the community's vision into reality.
To learn more about the work of the Atlanta Regional Commission and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce's work on transportation click below.
Atlanta Regional Commission
Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce | |
