A new study by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy (Lincoln Land Institute, LLI) and the Sonoran Institute found that over 20% of the subdivision parcels in Laramie County, WY, are currently undeveloped. That makes for an inventory of almost 7,500 subdivided building lots, not even counting the numerous 35+ acre tracts never subject to […]
Strong Towns Focus on People, Not Just Their Cars
The financial path our cities are on is fast falling apart, as our Suburban experiment of the last half-century shows its age. Our future prosperity depends on the ability of local leaders to transform their communities. How do we do that? That’s what Charles Marohn came to town to talk about, bringing his Strong Towns […]
Strong Towns Curbside Chats Coming to Wyoming
From the Wyoming Business Council: CHEYENNE, WYO. – Starting Monday, the Wyoming Rural Development Council will host the first of four Strong Town presentations throughout the state. The WRDC, in partnership with the nonprofit organization Strong Towns, invites community leaders, business owners and residents to these presentations to learn more about keeping your community strong […]
Broadband Service, Training, Digital Inclusion, Innovation and Marketing Key to Rural Success
Intelligent Community Forum partners with Blandin Foundation to close the digital divide for rural Minnesota communities $6.6 million project monitored 11 communities over two years and tracked increases as high as 60% in the use of broadband to boost their economies (New York City, New York, 12 June 2013) — Connecting rural Minnesotans with the Internet boosts […]
Optimism for Small Towns at #APA13
Special thanks to Becky McCray for fitting my guest post into her Small Biz Survival blog the first of the month. My friends at APA STaR may also include in the Division newsletter. Oh, the stories we have to tell… Small town and rural planning is not city planning writ small. Yet we are also […]
Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities: Planning for Broadband #apa13
Broadband is essential infrastructure for the 21st century. Just as paved roads, electricity and drinking water supported development in the last century, broadband communications is required for development today. Yet as author William Gibson said, “the future is already here – it’s just not evenly distributed yet.” Hundreds of thousands of our friends and neighbors […]
Accessible, High-Amenity Rural Areas Attracting New Population
Reblogged from USDA ERS: Population trends in U.S. nonmetro counties vary by age group and natural amenity/accessibility levels For many decades, most U.S. nonmetro counties experienced significant population loss among young adults, especially in the years immediately following high school graduation. Some of that population loss was offset by net gains among individuals in their […]
2012 Census of Agriculture in Spotlight this Thanksgiving
Minnesota is the top turkey producer in the United States, counting over 18 million birds in 2007’s Census of Agriculture. Will the gopher state hold the title in the next go ’round? Here’s some PR from USDA on the topic: WASHINGTON, Nov. 14, 2012 – Nearly four centuries after the very first Thanksgiving feast, Americans […]
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Broadband is not a luxury, but “something like plumbing” necessary for normal life
“The new railroad, the new interstate, the new road system in this country and in this state is (Internet) connectivity.” (WTE) Governor Matt Mead opened the inaugural Wyoming Broadband Summit with keynote remarks before over 200 policy wonks, technology geeks and interested bystanders gathered in Cheyenne Tuesday morning. Wyoming Enterprise Technology Services and the Wyoming […]
An Honest Discussion About Agenda 21
Agenda 21 is a bureaucratic report initially adopted by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) “Earth Summit” held in Rio de Janerio, Brazil, in June 1992. Periodic assemblies have reviewed the status of the report, most recently at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio +20) held in June 2012. The […]