The Smart Growth Program in North Carolina

In September, my colleague Glenn Barnes shared resources from EPA on “smart growth” economic development. This approach to economic develop helps protect human health and the natural environment, while making communities more attractive, economically stronger, and more socially diverse. Smart Growth can take many different forms, from planning and zoning ordinances, to green infrastructure plans, to farmland protection initiatives. While the Smart Growth Program has been successfully implemented in cities and towns throughout the country, it has also had an impact right here in North Carolina. What are our neighbors in NC doing to promote Smart Growth principles? Read on for two examples. Map of projects receiving Smart Growth assistance in North Carolina. Source: https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/smart-growth-your-community Rocky Mount – Local Food, Local Places Like many communities in North Carolina, the City of Rocky Mount is in transition. Once a hub for banking, textile and tobacco industries, the city has suffered high poverty and unemployment rates in recent years. In the face of these challenges, the community is focused on rejuvenating its economy by reconstructing its Main Street, revitalizing historic business districts, fostering arts and culture, and providing accesses to fresh and healthy food. In addition, by participating in the Local Foods, Local Places program, in 2015 Rocky Mount developed an action plan to create walkable, healthy, and economically vibrant neighborhoods through the development of local food systems. The action plan is designed to help Rocky Mount take advantage of its strengths – such as its proximity to major metropolitan centers, dedicated local food advocates, and history of agriculture – to [...]