EPA issues request for applications for the Smart Growth Implementation Assistance

Are you trying to encourage specific smart growth techniques like transit-oriented development?  Or direct your state department of transportation investments to better support smart growth?  Are you looking to use smart growth to reach greenhouse gas reduction goals?  Do you need help analyzing guidelines for school investments that best fit your state or community?  Do you need to retrofit a commercial corridor?  Or coordinate your community's smart growth design with an active aging program?

To respond to this need, EPA has issued a request for applications for the Smart Growth Implementation Assistance program. Through this program, a team of multi-disciplinary experts will provide free technical assistance to communities, regions, or states that want to develop in ways that meet environmental and other local or regional goals.

Communities, regions, and states are interested in building stronger neighborhoods, protecting their environmental resources, enhancing public health, and planning for development, but they may lack the tools, resources, or information to achieve these goals.  EPA can help applicants overcome these roadblocks by providing evaluation tools and expert analysis.

EPA solicits applications from communities that want help with policy analysis or public participatory processes.  Selected communities will receive assistance in the form of a multi-day visit from a team of experts and national partners to work with local leaders.  Applications will be accepted until May 8, 2009. For more information please see http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/sgia.htm