| | | NPSG13-112 | | Greening Rural Communities: Smart Growth, Sustainability & Small to Mid-sized Town Neighborhood Development in North Carolina Speakers: Frank Wilson, Mayor, City of Bolton, NC; Terry Bellamy, Mayor, City of Ashville, NC. Moderator: Deeohn Ferris, President, Sustainable Community Development Group, Inc. The challenges of transitioning to the new more energy-efficient economy and achieving smart growth and sustainable development take on different dimensions in rural and small municipalities due to smaller economies. Transitioning to a green economy is complicated by the challenges of attracting and retaining employers, the tax base, and the scale of rural unemployment. Mayors are the front-line policy decision-makers at the local level who are responsible for ensuring that all citizens benefit from the tools and resources of the emerging green economy while addressing key issues that principally affect distressed neighborhoods. In this session, rural and small to mid-sized town mayors discuss ways that their development strategies have addressed equity issues in North Carolina communities. The audience is encouraged to share rural and small to mid-sized town initiatives that have worked in other states, challenges, best practices and lessons learned. | | MP3 | | $10.00 | | $10.00 | |
