Weedoo Boats: Trusted by municipalities worldwide for eco-friendly aquatic management equipment
Weedoo Boats is a global leader in the manufacturing of aquatic weed management equipment, trusted by federal agencies and municipalities alike. Operating in 41 states and 17 countries, Weedoo has established a proven reputation for innovation and environmental responsibility by … More from our cover sponsor →
Recycling is not a waste of energy — it’s a power source
Wood waste is a worldwide problem. It accounts for up to 30% of all waste. The U.S. collects 70 million-plus tons of urban woody debris each year but recycles just 48%. The “leftovers” go to the landfill, wasting landfill space … Continue reading →
New Bedford parks boast impressive programming and recreational space
With over 800 acres of park space in New Bedford, Mass., the parks, recreation and beaches department plans an extraordinary amount of programming and improvements each year. The park space is widely spread throughout the city, so 90% of the … Continue reading →
Eyes, ears and light cut crime in Columbus, Ohio, parks
After what they called a “violent” spring in 2022, city officials in Columbus, Ohio, took steps toward ensuring a safe, more peaceful summer. First, they beefed up the number of officers patrolling the parks. They followed that with a $500,000 … Continue reading →
Police Proximity Project connects officers to the community
Among the hardest jobs in the world is law enforcement. It is dangerous work, and those who do it are sometimes viewed with suspicion by the public. The hours are challenging, and, as of late, police departments are too often … Continue reading →
New real-time systems manage drainage and flooding in Edinburg
Edinburg, Texas, has a little over 50 ditches throughout the city with all subdivisions connecting into the ditches for drainage and a link to the county ditches. The drainage water from four nearby cities also runs through the city ditches, … Continue reading →
California fire service innovator ‘just fell in love’ with career
Marin County’s fire chief of more than a decade received a top state honor in October 2023, earning the Fire Chief of the Year distinction from the California Fire Chiefs Association. But if you ask him about it, he’ll say, … Continue reading →
Reflections on the total eclipse in Russellville, Ark.
We all heard so much about the total eclipse this year, and for good reason. While not the only eclipse we would see in 2024, it was a major event, with totality (defined as being ‘the whole of something’) predicted … Continue reading →
Business flourishes in small-town Utah
According to a recent WalletHub article, “Best & Worst Small Cities to Start a Business (2024),” Cedar City, Utah, is the best city in the United States to start a business. Analysts studied various cities and compared 18 different key … Continue reading →
Communities commemorate National Public Works Week 2024
Since 1960, National Public Works Week has celebrated the people who plan, build, manage and operate the necessary services that enhance our everyday lives. From May 19-25, municipal leaders across the U.S. and Canada highlighted their public works department with … Continue reading →
The Municipal Top 10: Best beach towns for retirement
Does a desire to feel the sun, sand and water ever go away in those who love the beach lifestyle? It doesn’t seem so. Cities that offer options for coastal retirement continue to draw new, mature residents year after year. … Continue reading →
Newport News simulator helping with new hires and maintaining equipment
The city of Newport News, Va., like many others, experienced trouble hiring new employees post-COVID. So, because of staff shortages, department heads and city officials realized something needed to change. The idea of using a simulator to aid with training … Continue reading →
Jewel Parks lead off Gary, Indiana’s, reinvention
LaVetta Sparks-Wade is not just excited about her new job, but about the place where she gets to do it. Sparks-Wade is the newly minted director of parks for the city of Gary, Ind., her “home sweet home,” to quote … Continue reading →
Shrewsbury, Mass., concludes Toblin Hill Bridge project
The Toblin Hill Bridge in Shrewsbury, Mass., has been reconstructed and reopened after the original had to be demolished following the discovery of a sinkhole. Originally built as part of the Toblin Hill Estates subdivision in 1998, a private developer … Continue reading →
VMAC: Revolutionizing Mobile Compressed Air and Multi-Power Solutions
VMAC is at the forefront of mobile compressed air innovation, delivering powerful, lightweight and compact solutions that revolutionize how municipalities operate. VMAC prides itself on manufacturing top-tier air compressors and multi-power systems in-house at its 44,000-square-foot facility in North America. … Continue reading →
The Hamilton, Ohio, Public Works Department recognized with accolades
Located 20 miles north of Cincinnati along the Great Miami River, Hamilton, Ohio, may be a small city of 63,000, but its public works department is doing really big things — and reaping some well-earned recognition for its efforts. “Our whole goal … Continue reading →
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. … Continue reading →
Tax incentive program rehabs coastal city of Wildwood, New Jersey
In March 2022, the city of Wildwood, N.J.’s, Board of Commissioners voted to continue a popular tax incentive program designed to encourage development and home improvements throughout the coastal community. It is a program that began in 2015 and has … Continue reading →
Downtown revitalization puts Michigan town on ‘upward trajectory’
There was a time when city life in the U.S. revolved around a few main streets, and a downtown center served as its beating heart. The advent of automobiles and post-war booms brought urban sprawl and caused cities to spread … Continue reading →
