Montage Enterprises: Surpassing the expectation in mower parts
If there is a constant during the spring and summer, it’s the wave of never-ending mowing. Highways, ditches, right-of-ways, parks and other municipal and DOT properties all require routine trimming to improve motorists’ visibility and the quality of public property. … More from our cover sponsor →
Midwest City turns floodplain into mountain bike hub
There’s much more to trail systems than their face value. For instance, grassroots advocacy organization Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has released research in October 2019 that found active transportation infrastructure, like trails, currently contributes more than $34.1 billion to the U.S. economy … Continue reading →
Irving Police Department uses barbershops to improve community relations
In Irving, Texas, it’s not uncommon to drive by a barbershop and see on-duty police officers inside. But no, these officers aren’t making arrests or gathering statements. Instead, they are improving community relations, one barbershop conversation at a time. The … Continue reading →
Iron Mountain enjoys diverse industries, outdoor activities
Bordering three Great Lakes and covered with forests, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is 30% larger than the state of Maryland in terms of landmass but with a population 20 times smaller. While the 5-mile-long Mackinac Bridge is the more celebrated entrance … Continue reading →
Wellness incentive program gets city employees up and moving
The city of Copperas Cove, Texas, continues to place an emphasis on wellness and has created an incentive program for city employees called CoveFit. The program was started in 2015 and Eddie Wilson, Copperas Cove police chief, has acted as … Continue reading →
Storm and Wastewater project contributes to beautification efforts in Spokane
With heavy rainfalls a normal part of life in the Pacific Northwest, one of Washington’s largest cities recently completed a roughly $190 million project to protect the health of its river. As part of an initiative to clean the Spokane … Continue reading →
Rapid City welcomes development after a banner 2019
Ken Young, AICP, and director of community development, doesn’t use the word “boom” in regards to his city’s recent development but rather prefers to call it continued strong growth. “Several factors would be involved, of course,” said Young. “One of … Continue reading →
The crisis facing EMS systems
These are the first four links that appear on a Google search for news articles related to “EMS Crisis.” Nearly every day, somewhere in America there is another article or report on emergency medical services facing financial, personnel and staffing … Continue reading →
The Municipal Top 10: 10 U.S. cities best positioned for economic advancement in the new decade
LendEDU analyzed a variety of socioeconomic factors like recent income growth, population changes and educational attainment levels for hundreds of cities in the U.S. and released its ranking of how well-positioned each city is for economic advancement in the new … Continue reading →
Spartanburg, South Carolina, thrives on collaboration
Spartanburg Academic Movement While economic growth is desirable, a key to growing, attracting and maintaining a strong workforce is education. For this purpose, the Spartanburg Academic Movement has formed. SAM’s main purpose is to look closely at local entities that … Continue reading →
Cities nationwide prepare for 2020 Census
The 2020 United States census has begun, and with billions of dollars of federal funding on the line, cities across the country are working hard to ensure a complete count. For the first time, residents will have the chance to … Continue reading →
Economic development with a global flavor
The economy is becoming more global as we speak, and a seminar in Gilbert, Ariz., late last year only drives that point further home. Gilbert’s Office of Economic Development, the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and Gilbert Sister Cities sponsored the … Continue reading →
Parks catalog captures community support
The tried-and-true methods of fundraising — bake sales, car washes, magazine subscriptions, lemonade stands and candy — all have their place. But moving into the big leagues, such as coming up with successful fundraising ideas for city parks is a … Continue reading →
City administrations shore up against erosion
With water in the Great Lakes at or near record levels and rainfall in the Midwest well above normal this winter, it’s not surprising that cities around the region are facing erosion issues on lake shores and riverbanks. According … Continue reading →
Creative zoning to meet housing needs
In Minnesota: Minneapolis 2040 In October 2019, Minneapolis City Council adopted a resolution to approve Minneapolis 2040, which took effect Jan 1, 2020. Minneapolis 2040 has multiple goals for the city, including eliminating disparities, promoting growth in residents and … Continue reading →
Municipalities using hybrid work vehicles to accelerate their carbon reduction plans
When New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio issued a February 2020 executive order mandating the city would operate a fleet that was 100% electric by 2040, it marked the most recent in a series of announcements by major U.S. … Continue reading →
Bellingham embraces Greenroads principles
In cities across the United States, industries that were thriving decades ago are dying off and leaving large facilities unoccupied and unkempt. Eventually, developers or municipalities take it upon themselves to tear down old buildings and start anew. But in … Continue reading →
First responders trained to manage natural gas emergencies
Mark Garvin is one of those people who could easily be blown away by his job. Not necessarily because he likes it, but because he needs to follow the safety rules he is in charge of as manager of Gas … Continue reading →
Repair or replace: When is the time right
With each passing year, the cost of repairing and replacing emergency vehicles, such as fire apparatuses and police cars, grows. Today, a police vehicle will cost nearly six-figures, while the price of most new fire trucks is more than half … Continue reading →