PRESS RELEASE
1.9.02

PRESIDENT BUSH EXPECTED TO SIGN
LANDMARK SMART GROWTH LEGISLATION

On Friday, January 10th 2002, President Bush is expected to sign into law, H.R. 2869, the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act, marking one of the first major federal legislative victories for smart growth.

“Enacting brownfields legislation will boost smart growth efforts around the country. The signing of this law is a win-win for the economy and the environment,” said Don Chen, Executive Director of Smart Growth America, one of the first organizations to endorse the bill.

“Revitalizing cities and guarding our best farmland from development are two key components of promoting smart growth,” said Ralph Grossi, Chair of Smart Growth America and President of American Farmland Trust. “By signing this brownfields legislation, the President is demonstrating his commitment to giving Americans healthy, economically strong communities.”

"Economic development and a sound tax base are key to the vitality and lifeline of any community. This important piece of legislation provides low-income communities with one more tool to help redevelop and revitalize their neighborhoods," said Bart Harvey, CEO and chairman of The Enterprise Foundation. The Enterprise Foundation is a founding member of the Smart Growth America coalition.

The redevelopment of brownfield sites, approximately 450,000 nationwide, is a critical smart growth tool that helps to revitalize communities and alleviate pressure to develop farmland and open space. “Redeveloping brownfields boosts the economy by generating jobs and revitalizing distressed communities. It improves the environment by cleaning up polluted land and reducing the pressure to develop pristine areas,” said Chen.

H.R. 2869 will more than double the annual spending for brownfields assessment and cleanup to $200 million, and according to the U.S. Conference of Mayors, create more than 550,000 jobs and generate between $878 million and $2.4 billion in additional tax revenues.

Smart Growth America is a national coalition of over 100 groups promoting a better way to grow; one that protects farmland and open space, revitalizes neighborhoods, keeps housing affordable and provides people with more transportation choices.

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