EPA’S Smart Growth Framework for Small Cities & Towns

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- For small and mid-sized cities seeking help to revitalize struggling communities, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) has prepared the new Framework for Creating a Smart Growth Economic Development Strategy.

Smart growth concepts can help communities overcome challenges.The step-by-step guide explains the five steps municipal governments, regional economic development organizations and others can follow to prepare a place-based economic development strategy.

EPA developed this tool as part of a Smart Growth Implementation Assistance project for Kelso, a small town with 12,000 people located about 50 mile north of Portland, Ore. Once a center for commercial smelt fishing, Kelso, like a lot of towns built on a single or few economic engines, is looking to explore how it can attract investment and open up opportunities¹. EPA looked at supporting businesses, workers and quality of life. Through the process, the team focused on:

• Making the distinction between growth and investment
• Being tactical and strategic
• Remaining focused
• Following momentum
• Finding the right partners for specific goals
• Communicating and better coordination

With these imperatives in mind, the stakeholders created the Framework steps with tips, examples, goals, indicators, targets, actions and more.

• Step 1: Select a Focus Area
• Step 2: Define the Context
• Step 3: Set Goals
• Step 4: Identify Existing Assets and Barriers
• Step 5: Select the Right Tools

Learn more, download the Framework and access additional smart growth resources for small towns and rural communities.

Sources

^{1 https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-05/documents/using-smart-growth-strategies-foster-economic-development-kelso.pdf}