Purchase of Development Rights: Preserving Farmland and Open Space
An introduction to purchase of development rights (PDR) programs: how they work, what they can accomplish, and questions that often come up.
Small Towns
These articles and posts will be of particular interest to those readers in small towns and rural areas.
Continue to older articles & posts — or return to newer ones — where you see the green buttons at the bottom of the page.
Developing a Sewer Ordinance: One Town’s Experience
Designating areas where essential services, particularly sewer service, can be used is one of the opportunities local planners have to direct growth to locations that reinforce community goals. Kate Lampton explores how her town developed a sewer allocation ordinance.
Gateway Communities
Many people enjoy visiting national parks and other scenic attractions. A growing number have also decided to pack up and move to the small cities and towns close to these special places.
Land Trusts and Planning Commissions: Forging Strategic Alliances
Land trusts provide an important resource for communities concerned about preserving open space and natural resources. How planning commissions and land trusts can work cooperatively.
Education and Economic Development
Jack McCall explains why quality education is of critical importance to the economic vitality of cities and towns.
Community Loan Funds for Business Development
A short introduction to the use of community loan funds by community development specialist Jack McCall.
Involving All of the Community
Why economic development efforts work best when a broad spectrum of the community is involved.
Up With Downtown
Community development consultant and author Jack McCall with some ideas on strengthening downtown retailing.
Finding Economic Development At Home
How to keep money from leaving your local economy.
Good-bye, Lone Ranger
It’s time we said good-bye to the Lone Ranger in looking for solutions to local economic development problems.
The Commission and the Consultant
Advice for planners on how to select and work with a consultant, and ensure that your project is a success.
Dreaming the Future: Community Vision Planning
A small town in Massachusetts shows how vision planning works. Including a look at the Places of the Heart community survey.
