The City of Chattanooga announced Thursday that it has been chosen to host a workshop from Oct. 26-27 with Smart Growth America to develop ways to foster growth in communities and to create vibrant neighborhoods. Chattanooga is one of only seven communities selected nationwide for this special program that will be open to City leaders and community members for technical assistance on planning for economic and equitable growth in Chattanooga.
"In 2014, Chattanooga experienced the third-highest wage growth over three years for a mid-sized city. While our economic outlook is bright, we must continue to ensure that prosperity extends to everyone in our community and every Chattanooga neighborhood,” said Mayor Andy Berke. “Planning for smart growth will help us use our resources efficiently, while creating stronger neighborhoods.”
"Smart Growth is a nationally-proven way to be strategic about how cities guide and attract development in communities to create economically vibrant, walkable, equitable neighborhoods," officials said.
Anyone interested in participating in the Chattanooga workshop can attend the session on “Planning for Economic and Fiscal Health,” which draws on successful private and public sector lessons to create smart growth communities that cost less to build, run, and maintain. That public presentation, which is open to the community, is on Oct. 26 from 5:30-7 p.m. on Floor 5 of the Edney Building, 1110 Market St., in downtown Chattanooga.
While the community session will allow for citizens of all backgrounds and interests to participate in the strategic process, local municipal staff and community leaders will also complete a full day of workshop activities with Smart Growth America. Part of the free technical assistance will include exploring opportunities for smart growth implementation in depth, which will result in recommendations of ways local communities can implement the plans, officials said.
“Every year, City departments are asked to do more with less. Costs of installing and maintaining infrastructure are rising, yet our revenues are relatively flat. Developing a smart strategy now for how to manage that growth will lead to an economically vibrant and fiscally sustainable community.” said Maura Sullivan, Chattanooga’s chief operating officer.
“Chattanooga is a well-established leader in leveraging placemaking for economic growth,” said Chris Zimmerman, Smart Growth America vice president for Economic Development. “Smart Growth America works with local leaders are looking for ways to increase revenue without raising taxes or sacrificing the character of their community. We look forward to engaging members of the community in a discussion of how planning for future growth can strengthen Chattanooga's economic and fiscal position in the years ahead.”
The program is made possible through a six-year Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities grant to Smart Growth America from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Sustainable Communities.
"The Smart Growth Workshop develops local planning solutions to help communities grow in ways that benefit families and businesses while protecting the environment and preserving a sense of place. As a national leader in the field, Smart Growth America has accumulated extensive experience working with communities to help them use land strategically, make the most of existing resources, and invest strategically to catalyze private development," officials said.
To attend the Wednesday evening public presentation, participants can RSVP at http://bit.ly/CHAsmartgrowth. If interested in attending the Thursday workshop, contact Jenny Park at jpark@chattanooga.gov.