City of Boulder's Flexible Rebate Incentive - Boulder, Colorado
Boulder, Colorado's flexible rebate incentive program requires companies to verify compliance with community and environmental sustainability guidelines. These guidelines were key to City Council adoption of Boulder's first business incentive program in October 2006. Community sustainability is a framework to help Boulder make decisions by looking at the long-term implications for the community. This is the only rebate incentive in the country that is tied to compliance with broad community sustainability policies.  

• VIDEO: Liz Hanson presents about the program at the 2011 Congress of Cities & Exposition in Phoenix
• More information on small business development and entrepreneurship in Boulder

Our Grandchildren's Future - Eunice, New Mexico
Our Grandchildren's Future's goal is to revitalize the downtown area for improved economic development and improved quality of life for citizens. This program includes completely rebuilding 7 blocks of downtown with underground electrics, new lighting, medians, numerous trees and plants and a friendly family atmosphere. Further, the city installed a new waste water system, rebuilt the entire main and some secondary water lines in the city and rebuilt the Senior Center, Teen Center, Girl Scout Hut, Boy Scout Hut, new Aquatic Facility and new Elementary school.

• VIDEO: Mayor Matt White presents about the program at the 2011 Congress of Cities & Exposition in Phoenix

One Block at a Time - A Concentrated Neighborhood Investment - Independence, Missouri
One Block at a Time is an effort to attract reinvestment and the return of families to the northwest quadrant of the City of Independence through targeted infrastructure, housing and economic development. The program identifies a single block in a residential neighborhood, each no more than a quarter mile long, as an anchor and then brings together public and private partners to completely transform the physical environment. The infrastructure on each block is evaluated and repaired or replaced, and housing units and vacant lots are assessed and redeveloped. To date three residential blocks have been targeted and two are now complete.

• VIDEO: City Manager Robert Heacock presents about the program at the 2011 Congress of Cities & Exposition in Phoenix

Potosi Brewery Restoration - Potosi, Wisconsin
The former Potosi Brewery operated for 120 years, from 1852 until 1972. When it closed, the buildings were left to deteriorate, creating an eyesore, a danger and a health hazard. As part of an economic development project, the building was restored, housing among other things the National Brewery Museum as well as an Interpretive Center for the Great River Road. The Potosi Brewery is the only non-profit brewery in the country with all profits benefiting other non-profit organizations.

• VIDEO: Village President Frank Fiorenza presents about the program at the 2011 Congress of Cities & Exposition in Phoenix
• Potosi Brewing Company Brochure
• National Brewry Museum and Research Library Brochure

Riverwalk Project: A New Era of Development - Rock Hill, South Carolina
A joint effort between the City of Rock Hill and a development partner, Greens of Rock Hill, has resulted in the engagement of a unique brownfields redevelopment opportunity. This partnership grew from a vision of a group of entrepreneurs who saw vast potential beyond the estimated $49 million in environmental obstacles associated with this more than 1,000 acre brownfields site that once housed the largest cellulose acetate manufacturing operation in the United States. This public/private partnership created the design of the Riverwalk mixed-use development with a truly innovative funding model that largely alleviated risks to the City of Rock Hill and its taxpayers. Upon completion, the project is expected to produce $600 million in private investment, over $45 million in public investment, increase property taxes by $4 million annually and generate $4,000 new jobs for Rock Hill.

• VIDEO: Steven Gibson presents about the program at the 2011 Congress of Cities & Exposition in Phoenix
• More information about Rock Hill's efforts to be a business-friendly community

LEED Gold Virginia Beach Convention Center

The Virginia Beach tourism and hospitality industry has made a commitment to decrease its impact on the environment and provide environmentally-friendly alternatives for visitors. As a result, the city has been named the Commonwealth's first "Virginia Green Destination." The program provides a global approach to incorporate the sustainability efforts of the Convention and Visitors Bureau (this includes the Virginia Beach Convention Center and Visitor Information Center); the Virginia Beach hospitality industry and the City of Virginia Beach.

• VIDEO: Courtney Dyer and Pamela Lingle present about the program at the 2011 Congress of Cities & Exposition in Phoenix

Baltimarket: The Virtual Supermarket

The Virtual Supermarket Program allows low-income residents with low vehicle and Internet access to place and receive grocery orders at their local library without paying a delivery fee. Residents place orders at Virtual Supermarket sites or from any computer and receive their groceries weekly in their neighborhood at their library or local elementary school. Residents can pay with cash, credit, debit or EBT (food stamps).

• VIDEO: Laura Fox presents about the program at the 2011 Congress of Cities & Exposition in Phoenix 

Beaverton residents are thrilled to  be installing solar!

The City of Beaverton's Solar Beaverton program is a community solar program led by Mayor Denny Doyle and the Sustainability Program. Solar Beaverton was designed to: produce renewable energy in the community, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, simplify the process of installing solar, create jobs, support local contractors and manufacturers, educate the community about solar and help residents take advantage of state and federal financial incentives. It is a unique approach, because it is initiated and led by a City government with a goal to engage the community in the use of renewable energy, as opposed to a program led by the residents.

• VIDEO: Cindy Tatham presents about the program at the 2011 Congress of Cities & Exposition in Phoenix

Alternative Fuel Vehicle - Kansas City, Missouri
The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Program focuses on cleaner domestic alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, fuel blends, idle reduction and general fuel economy improvements in the city's fleet of vehicles and mobile equipment. While the program's main alternative fuel is compressed natural gas (CNG) with over 250 CNG vehicles in operation, other alternative fuels used in the program include biodiesel, ethanol, electric and propane. The program results in the displacement of more than 500,000 gallons of conventional gasoline and diesel annually. The city currently operates five CNG stations and virtually all of the city's 3,000 powered vehicles use an alternative fuel or an alternative fuel blend.

• VIDEO: Sam Swearngin presents about the program at the 2011 Congress of Cities & Exposition in Phoenix
• Alternative Fuel Vehicle Program Brochure

Clean Energy Works Home  Energy Assessment

Clean Energy Works Portland (CEWP) was a pilot program developed by the City of Portland's Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS). The pilot tested whether residents would be more likely to adopt energy efficiency upgrades if they were offered a comprehensive package of services and benefits, including low-cost, long-term financing to cover the upfront costs; assistance from an independent expert advisor and the convenience of repaying the monthly loan obligation through their utility bill. The pilot offered homeowners financing for energy efficiency home improvements, such as new insulation or high efficiency heating equipment. The pilot also tested a "high-road" approach to creating green jobs. The program exceeded its goals with more than 500 homes receiving home energy remodels by the end of the pilot in February 2011.

• VIDEO: Marlowe Kulley presents about the program at the 2011 Congress of Cities & Exposition in Phoenix
• Clean Energy Works Presentation

Green Riverside - Riverside, California
The City of Riverside, in cooperation with its municipal utility and a committee of interested citizens, created a far-reaching strategy for solidifying the city as a leader in clean and green practices and as an innovative, sustainable urban center. The city's Green Action Plan maps out strategies for the city and its residents to work together on the issues of energy, greenhouse gas emissions, waste, urban design, urban nature, transportation, water and healthy communities. The vision of the City of Riverside becoming an environmental leader in the region and the nation already is being realized.

• VIDEO: Michael Bacich and Ryan Bullard present about the program at the 2011 Congress of Cities & Exposition in Phoenix
• Green Riverside Action Plan
• Green Riverside Green Milestones
• Green Riverside Sustainability Workbook
• Green Riverside Impresses at the Congress of Cities, on Citiesspeak.org
• More information about Green Riverside's efforts to track, manage, and disclose sustainability information

Active Living Rochester - Rochester, Minnesota
In 2007, Rochester Minnesota embarked on an "Active Community Planning" initiative. This initiative brought stakeholders who are rarely represented in land use and transportation policy discussions to the table. Out of this initiative developed an interdisciplinary partnership that includes the Rochester-Olmsted Planning Department, Rochester Public Works, Olmsted County Public Health and a grassroots organization within Mayo Clinic known as Healthy Living Rochester (formerly known as CardioVision2020). This partnership continues to collaborate today under the Active Living Rochester initiative - supporting physical activity in daily routine and community design to help make the healthy choice the easy choice. 

• VIDEO: Mitzi Baker presents about the program at the 2011 Congress of Cities & Exposition in Phoenix

Highway 10/Highway 25 Intersection Upgrade - Big Lake, Minnesota
The Highway 10/Highway 25 intersection improvement project has improved the mobility and aesthetics of the City of Big Lake's downtown area. The city was able to make a dangerous intersection safer with dedicated turn lanes and wider lanes for truck traffic. The walkability of the downtown area was improved through streetscaping and upgraded crosswalks. Finally, the city improved the aesthetics with a new urban park, electronic reader board for community events and façade upgrade assistance for downtown businesses.

• VIDEO: Katie Larsen and Brad DeWolf present about the project at the 2011 Congress of Cities & Exposition in Phoenix
• Trunk Highway 10 & 25 Intersection Reconstruction/Downtown Revitalization Brochure

Town of Cary's Virtual Interactive Planner (VIP) - Cary, North Carolina
VIP is an Internet-based tool developed with both "right-brain" and "left-brain" learning types in mind. The tool utilizes flash (animated) programming, green-screen video, printable forms, useful links and flowcharts to provide an interactive decision-making tool that helps break down Cary's development process into easy-to-follow steps and highlights opportunities in the process for the public to provide input to the town. VIP is designed to help reduce the confusion and intimidation sometimes associated with complex but necessary processes like land development, and it is designed as a single-source resource for most development related questions.

• VIDEO: Dan Matthys presents about the program at the 2011 Congress of Cities & Exposition in Phoenix
• Town of Cary's Virtual Interactive Planner Presentation

Gallery Night Trolley - Coral Gables, Florida
Coral Gables is home to the region's original Gallery Night, which was started more than 20 years ago and showcases various works from European and Latin American art masters to outstanding contemporary artists. The Gallery Night Trolley is free and allows visitors an easy way to discover what's happening in the world of art in the city by taking them directly to the galleries' front doors.

• VIDEO: Leonard Roberts presents about the program at the 2011 Congress of Cities & Exposition in Phoenix
• Gallery Night Trolley Presentation

Northeast Central Durham Livability Initiative - Partnership for Sustainable Communities - Durham, North Carolina
The Northeast Central Durham (NECD) Livability Initiative - Partnership for Sustainable Communities is a community driven collaborative implemented in tandem with Departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Transportation (DOT) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to coordinate housing, transportation and to protect the environment. The City of Durham Department of Neighborhood Improvement Services along with six other city departments support this community led initiative. The NECD Livability Initiative is composed of four resident-driven community schemes: (1) Coordinated Public Transportation; (2) Economic and Workforce Development; (3) Multi-functional Green Spaces; and (4) Safe and Healthy Environment.

• VIDEO: Melva Henry and Wanona Satcher present about the program at the 2011 Congress of Cities & Exposition in Phoenix
• Partnership for Sustainable Communities: NEDC Livability Initiative Brochure
• The Northeast Central Durham Livability Initiative Populates the Livability Discussion, on Citiesspeak.org 
• CityLife: "North East Central Durham Livability Initiative"

Highland Communications Services - Highland, Illinois
Highland Communication Services (HCS) is a municipally owned telecommunications company that provides advanced fiber optic services, including voice, data and video, to the Highland community in order to better serve the needs of the local businesses and residents. HCS was developed in response to overwhelming support from citizens to create a fiber-to-the-premises system. The growing, enthusiastic organization strives to improve Highland's quality of life and strengthen business opportunities.

• VIDEO: Andrea Enright and Scott Bowles present about the program at the 2011 Congress of Cities & Exposition in Phoenix

Joint Wastewater Treatment Facility - Lexington, South Carolina
The Town of Lexington, the City of Cayce and the Lexington County Joint Municipal Water and Sewer Commission unanimously agreed to work together on construction of a new 25 million gallons per day state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facility. The project will expand the City of Cayce's existing treatment capacity, which can currently accommodate 9.2 MGD on the Congaree River. The plant will serve the majority of Lexington County. Each participant will be paying for their "projected" capacity for treatment, with the Town investing 48.8%, City of Cayce at 31.7% and the Joint Water Commission at 18.5%. 

• VIDEO: Jennifer Dowden presents about the project at the 2011 Congress of Cities & Exposition in Phoenix 

Bank On Brazos Valley - Bryan, Texas
Bank On Brazos Valley (BOBV) is a public-private partnership that seeks to help unbanked or under-banked residents of the Brazos Valley region get connected to mainstream financial services. The goal of the program is to improve the financial stability of lower income consumers and help them engage in mainstream financial practices, such as opening a bank and/or savings account and to stop relying on fringe financial services such as payday lenders and check cashing businesses for their financial transactions. The program also engages the local private sector banks and credit unions to offer affordable products and services to previously unbanked and/or under-banked customers.

• VIDEO: Ronnie Jackson presents about the program at the 2011 Congress of Cities & Exposition in Phoenix

Parents and Children Walking and  Biking to School

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) began in Decatur in 2005 as a pilot program with two elementary schools. The program has expanded to five elementary schools and one middle school program this year. The program makes walking and biking to school a safe routine for Decatur residents with support from the local school district, police department, public works and volunteers. SRTS played a major role in the city become a Walk Friendly City (Silver Level). Each year, the city has a big pep rally the night before the International Walk to School Day on the square in the downtown area.

• VIDEO: Greg White and Cheryl Burnette present about the program at the 2011 Congress of Cities & Exposition in Phoenix
• Safe Routes to School: Get Started!

Jacksonville Children's Commission - Jacksonville, Florida
The Jaxkids Book Club, organized by the Jacksonville Children's Commission, seeks to involve all early learners in the excitement of learning to read and getting ready for kindergarten. The book club reaches over 10,000 four year old children (out of approximately 12,000 four year olds in our county) and provides them with 13 books and learning materials. The books promote pre-literacy skills as well as teach the children about their city - local bridges, beaches, rivers, museums, libraries, Timucuan Indians, military, city helpers and more. 

55,000 Degrees - Louisville, Kentucky
55,000 Degrees (55K) is a new public-private partnership with the bold goal of adding 40,000 bachelor's degrees and 15,000 associate's degrees by 2020. The idea is to move Louisville into the top tier among its competitor cities in educational attainment. The purpose is to galvanize education, business, faith, civic and community leaders and organizations in support of a common agenda to increase education attainment, prosperity and quality of life. Its aim is to carry out the Greater Louisville Education Commitment, a long-term, targeted plan to raise education levels in the area. Its vision is to create a world-class, seamless and coordinated education system that provides ample opportunities for developing creativity and critical thinking, skilled workers, engaged citizens and civic leaders.

• VIDEO: Lynn Howard presents about the program at the 2011 Congress of Cities & Exposition in Phoenix

Operation Phoenix - San Bernardino, California
The mission of Operation Phoenix is to reduce violence through a coordinated approach of prevention, intervention and suppression strategies that address the etiological factors leading to crime and violence. Operation Phoenix achieves its mission through partnership with the County, community based organizations and the community.

• Operation Phoenix: Reducing Crime Through Partnerships Presentation
• Operation Phoenix 2011 Organizational Overview

Health on a Shelf - Tupelo, Mississippi
Health on a Shelf is a program designed to partner with local convenience stores to prominently display nutritious food and snacks in a special area of the store. All of the healthy snacks have less than 250 calories and no more than 5 grams of fat. Each item is designated with a sticker as Healthy Tupelo Task Force approved. Participating stores are also provided access to colorful signage that designates them as a Health on a Shelf store.

• VIDEO: Mayor Jack Reed Jr. and Kara Penny present about the program at the 2011 Congress of Cities & Exposition in Phoenix
• Cities Use Partnerships to Promote Healthy Eating and Active Lifestyles Among Resident, on Citiesspeak.org