Are people talking about your town or city — is it getting a reputation for being weird or different? The things that make a community unique — avante-garde, artsy communities, Bohemian neighborhoods, infamous histories — are precisely the things that can attract more … Continue reading →
Millennials and baby boomers are increasingly seeking to settle in urban areas. This requires municipal leaders to look at what is important for these groups in terms of amenities, culture and opportunities: in other words, what makes a community age-friendly. Millennials = Teens … Continue reading →
You may have heard the news: Collierville, Tenn., was honored by Parade Magazine in 2014 for having “America’s Best Main Street.” The White House and an assembly of federal departments and organizations have taken notice of the town, too. The … Continue reading →
PHINEAS BAXANDALL | Guest columnist Senior analyst and program director, U.S. Public Interest Research Group A new report from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund and the Frontier Group shows mounting evidence that the millennial generation’s dramatic shift … Continue reading →
Some cities hold occasional “Art in the Street” competitions during long summer days, where boulevards are closed off and chalk artists of all ages come out to play. Functional and longer-lasting heavy metal art doesn’t usually share the same space … Continue reading →
Madrid, Iowa, is located just to the west of a direct line connecting Ames and Des Moines. The population is about 2,360, according to the 2009 U.S. Census estimate: large enough to support many local conveniences, such as gas stations, … Continue reading →
Some of the most difficult issues faced by small- and mid-sized cities and towns seem to revolve around pension reform, tax caps and decreased federal funding for infrastructure. Even given these situations, however, municipalities accomplished a great deal in 2014. … Continue reading →
Governments are well-intentioned when it comes to social programs, but oftentimes they focus on the amount rather than the quality of services provided. Funding for prevention is especially susceptible to cuts, making it difficult to consistently fund the programs, let … Continue reading →
I don’t know if it’s coincidence, or if the fact that we’re now a couple of years beyond the recession is bringing to bear fruit: But stories of success and accomplishment in local government are cropping up all over lately. … Continue reading →
The EV Everywhere Grand Challenge is the U.S. Department of Energy’s 10-year vision to make the U.S. the first nation in the world to produce plug-in electric vehicles that are as affordable for the average family as today’s gasoline-powered vehicles. … Continue reading →
Laurie Kerr currently serves as director of the City Energy Project, which will assist major American cities in developing and implementing bold, replicable energy efficiency policy. Kerr noted she has long held an interest in sustainable energy use, adding she … Continue reading →
