New Federal Partnership for Sustainable Communities takes center stage with Keynote Symposium including key leaders from from HUD, DOT, EPA and Smart Growth America. Up to 500 expected to attend.

There has never been a more energizing atmosphere for building smart, sustainable and prosperous communities than right now. President Obama announced early on that smart growth and sustainability would be a major priority in his administration.

Then on June 16, 2009, the Administration announced an unprecedented new federal partnership among three major agencies - HUD, DOT and EPA - to support innovative efforts by states, regions and communities to expand economic opportunity, improve community design and livability and reduce impacts to the environment. It's called the Partnership for Sustainable Communities and is backed by Congress with $150 million allocated in the FY 2010 Budget. The Obama Administration is proposing to assign significantly more agency resources to the program in FY 2011.

HUD Deputy Secretary Ron Sims will be joined by Therese McMillan, Deputy Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration and John Frece, Director of EPA's Smart Growth Program to discuss the status of the partnership and the opportunities for applying its principles and resources to improve Rhode Island's economy and enhance its quality of place. Smart Growth America President & CEO Geoff Anderson will moderate the symposium.

The Summit is expected to draw up to 500 opinion leaders including federal, state and local officials, academics, developers, architects and real estate professionals, planners, investors and staff from many policy advocacy groups. The program will examine many opportunities to achieve sustainable economic prosperity using strategies that revitalize urban and town centers, increase housing options and affordability, promote clean and efficient transportation choices, maintain a vital agricultural sector and that ensure responsible stewardship of our natural resources.

The Summit is being made possible by an array of sponsors from the corporate, governmental, foundation, academic and non profit sectors. We thank them all for their generosity and commitment to sustainable economic growth. Each sponsor is listed on the Summit website.

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More than 20 workshops will be presented by respected and accomplished professionals on topics such as Rhode Island-specific opportunities for sustainable economic growth, zoning for green energy production, reuse of I-195 surplus land, and enhanced public transportation system, regulatory reform, improving public health through better community design, agricultural vitality, leadership in energy and environmental design, affordable housing and more.

Workshop presenters include:

Jane Austin, Special Coalitions Liaison, Save The Bay

Grow Smart is grateful for the generosity and commitment of our many presenters. We will continue to leverage the talents, ideas and energy of diverse partners in transforming Rhode Island into an economic and cultural leader for this and future generations.

Several workshops qualify for CM credits with the American Planning Association.

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