NPSG13-201

California’s Next Gold Rush: Local Energy Program Increases Jobs, Economic Development and Climate Resilience

Speakers: Liz Yager, Energy and Sustainability Manager, County of Sonoma, CA; Sammy Chu, Director, Long Island Green Homes; Barbara Spoonhour, Director of Energy and Environmental Programs, Western Riverside Council of Governments. Moderator: Kate Meis, Associate Director, Local Government Commission.

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) is one of the most exciting new mechanisms to advance climate and energy goals and local economic development. PACE allows property owners to finance renewable energy and efficiency projects repaid through an assessment on their property taxes with costs spread out over the expected life of the improvements. A recent study showed that if just 1% of homes were to invest in PACE projects the results would be $15 billion in gross economic output, $4 billion in combined federal, state, and local tax revenue, and 226,000 jobs. Sonoma County’s PACE program alone has funded $57,013,184 in residential and commercial projects completed primarily by local contractors helping to create or retain nearly 700 jobs. The session highlights how three communities with active residential PACE programs have overcome barriers (including Federal Housing Finance Agency opposition) and contributed to their community’s energy, climate change and economic development goals.

MP3

$10.00

$10.00

NPSG13-01C

WORKSHOP: Local Policies and Tools that Support Equitable Development

Speakers: Amanda Gehrke, Vernice Miller-Travis

Learn about specific tools and approaches to use at the local level to preserve and create affordable housing, retain small businesses and cultural institutions, and improve access to high-quality employment opportunities in areas where reinvestment is occuring or expected.

MP3

$10.00

$10.00

NPSG13-221

Adapting Cities to WaterWorld: Smart Growth Techniques for Rainwater Management

MP3

$10.00

$10.00

NPSG13-136

Smart Growth as Economic Development: Helping Communities Find and Create Competitive Advantage(s)

Speakers: William Fulton, Director, Governors’ Institute on Community Design; Kathy Nothstine, Associate Director, National Association of Development Associations. Moderator: Nora Johnson, Policy Fellow, Office of Sustainable Communities, U.S. EPA

The last several years has seen an emphasis on how using smart growth techniques can lead to economic growth. Little attention, however, has been paid to how smart growth approaches can be used for economic reinvention, particularly in smaller communities. This session focuses on how smart growth can be used as an economic development strategy, leading to economic and community revitalization. Integrating smart growth techniques and economic development is proving to be critical for communities who are successfully competition in today economy through utilizing existing assets to reinvent themselves, creating a competitive advantage, and retaining and attracting residents. Speakers represent local, state and regional level perspectives and provide ample examples.

MP3

$10.00

$10.00

Subtotal

$40.00