amazing place ideas forum

Amazing Place cities explore Greenville, SC, the South’s best-kept secret

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On November 13-16, 2017, leadership teams from Macon, GA; Columbia, SC; Akron, OH; Charlotte, NC; and Wichita, KS came to Greenville, SC to learn about the placemaking strategies the city took to successfully create a vibrant, walkable downtown. The convening was the final half of the Amazing Place Ideas Forum, an experiential gathering of city leaders to learn how investing in a unique sense of place and vibrant, walkable neighborhoods is at the heart of a new economic development strategy.

Economic development

20 leaders from five cities tour Greenville, SC for examples of smart growth

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This article was originally published on November 20, 2017 by the Upstate Business Journal. Photo by Will Crooks. Smart Growth America and the Knight Foundation recently held the second phase of its inaugural Amazing Place Ideas Forum in Greenville. Held Nov. 14-16, the forum brought more than 20 economic development leaders and elected officials from … Continued

Economic development

Amazing Place Ideas Forum: Gearing up for Greenville, SC

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With part one of the forum in Denver, CO now in the rearview, Smart Growth America is getting ready for the second round of the Amazing Place Ideas Forum, happening November 14-16 with generous support from the Knight Foundation. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the sites and attractions we’ll tour in our host city, Greenville, SC. Read about the city’s 40-year effort to create one of America’s most beautiful main streets through historic preservation, brownfield redevelopment, and riverfront investment. The participating Amazing Place cities also weighed in with what they most look forward to learning about in the southern city, and the lessons they hope to bring back to their hometowns. 

Economic development

Amazing Place communities find inspiration in the Mile High city

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A few weeks ago, SGA brought leadership teams representing five cities to Denver to see firsthand how investing in a unique sense of place and vibrant, walkable neighborhoods is at the heart of a new economic development strategy — helping to attract new residents and jobs, support existing businesses, and benefit everyone’s quality of life.

Economic development

Catch up on the conversations from #AmazingPlaceForum

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Explore our Twitter recap to relive all the great moments and conversations from the Amazing Place Ideas Forum. 

On August 29-31, 2017, five cities from around the country gathered in Denver, Colorado to see innovative placemaking strategies in action. The Amazing Place Ideas Forum, presented by Smart Growth America with support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, brought a brain trust of local leaders together to participate in an interactive and experiential learning opportunity.

Economic development Uncategorized

Kicking off the Amazing Place Ideas Forum in Denver this week

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Vibrant, walkable neighborhoods can help attract new residents and jobs, support existing businesses, and benefit everyone’s quality of life. Smart Growth America’s 2016 report Amazing Place examined six cities — including Denver —that are using this approach. This week, leadership teams from five other cities are gathered in Denver to see how these strategies have been implemented and … Continued

Economic development

Amazing Place series: “A change is gonna come” in Macon, Georgia

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From native American history to the birthplace of great American music, Macon, Georgia, has a rich heritage. City leaders have witnessed the positive returns of a place-based approach to economic development, but those efforts have largely originated outside of government. Macon’s Amazing Place leadership team of mostly elected officials wants to learn more about bringing those same strategies in-house.

Economic development

Amazing Place series: Akron, OH rediscovers its full potential

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Over the last few years, Akron has adopted several initiatives to improve public spaces, encourage private investment, and attract new talent to the area. With help from the Knight Foundation, Akron is activating its canal trails, creating a long-range strategy for development, and finding dynamic and creative ways to engage its diverse community members.

Economic development

Amazing Place series: Residents of Charlotte, NC expect to live in “great places”

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We’re bringing five U.S. cities together at the Amazing Place Ideas Forum, an innovative, experiential event that’s all about placemaking as the core of an economic development strategy. As we prepare for the forum later this month, learn about each of the participating cities in our #AmazingPlaceForum series. Find out what Charlotte, NC has been up to, and what they hope to gain from the Forum.

Economic development