Program Areas

Des Moines, IA

Efficient land use is not only vital to protecting natural resources but to profitable physical development. High density design allows for more activities within a smaller space and has continuously attracted the young, creative classes in search of dynamic places in which to live.  In the effort to create these dense, walkable communities, the process of urban infill—the use of land within an already developed area—is a key to success, but no easy task. Urban land available for infill is often environmentally hazardous, such as deserted manufacturing sites known as brownfields. Other pieces of land may have little or no environmental contamination but are outdated, abandoned, or have plummeted in value; these derelict parking lots or vacant strip malls are known as grayfields. Most communities have them, but very few have effective strategies for turning these properties into valued parts of the community such as those in Des Moines, Iowa. Fulfilling its role as the regional economic development organization, the Greater Des Moines Partnership worked in collaboration with local allies to take major steps in reducing sprawl and carbon emissions through the mending of their urban fabric.

Washington, DC

Households that replace just a few old incandescent light bulbs with LED bulbs, a product with more than three times the lifespan of their traditional counterparts, can reduce electric bills and put a dent in their carbon footprint. Imagine the impact of replacing 4,424,361 light bulbs. This is the number of streetlights in our nation’s ten largest metropolitan statistical areas. According to a study released in March of 2008, switching all streetlights in these major regions to an LED or a “smart streetlights” system could lead to a savings of 1,494,250,000 kilowatts (kWh) or a reduction of 1,161,716 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). This report wasn’t produced by the EPA or a national LED manufacturer; in fact, this white paper was prepared by Bob Grow, then an American Chamber of Commerce Executives Ford Fellow in Regionalism and Sustainable Development for the Greater Washington Board of Trade.

State of Massachusetts

The 495/MetroWest region is one of the most economically productive in the state of Massachusetts and is still growing. Between 1980 and 2006, the region experienced a 59 percent increase in employment; during the 1990s alone, the region experienced a 12.1 percent increase in the local population. Though this trend is immensely beneficial to the area’s economic health, it also places a great strain on existing infrastructure and water supplies. More than 40 acres of open land per day, or nearly 300 acres every week in Massachusetts are converted into residential, commercial, or industrial land, putting local resources and biodiversity at risk. As a public/private association dedicated to the sustainable economic and physical growth of the region, the 495/MetroWest Partnership provides local businesses and governments with an effective strategy to ease burdens on local resources and ensure their future vitality through the Green Infrastructure Toolkit.

Charleston, SC

With a 63 percent increase in their population between 1970 and 2000, and projections for an additional 55 percent increase by 2030, the Charleston Metro Area is not grappling with the question of whether they will grow, but how they will grow. Sprawling development and the rapid consumption of resources is something that many communities in the U.S. are facing but not all have an effective action plan to help mitigate environmental damage and ensure future vitality. Guided by their mission to advance the region’s economy, improve local quality of life and enhance their members’ success, the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce has developed “A Sustainable Growth Ethic: Building on Prosperity” to encourage sustainable development in the region.

The Sustainable Growth Ethic is not a binding policy piece, but a straightforward statement of visions and values that rests upon three major principles: Choice, Balance, and Stewardship.

Southwest, IN

With a steadfast commitment to bringing cutting-edge economic and development issues to their members, the Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana hosted the Regional Sustainability Conference on October 28th, 2009 in collaboration with the Wesselman Nature Society. Participants of the conference gathered in downtown Evansville to engage in interactive panel discussions featuring representatives of regional firms participating in sustainable business practices, attend breakout sessions that explored issues from waste stream reduction to marketplace trends, and hear from a number of keynote speakers focusing on “big picture” issues.

Grand Rapids, MI

After witnessing the myriad of green business programs spreading across the country, it did not take long for the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce to establish itself as a leader in the movement. Though the Chamber has been a participant and supporter of local sustainability campaigns for some time, it now boasts a strong program of its own for the benefit of its members and that of the region. Officially launched on January 6th, 2010, the Greater Grand Rapids Partnership for a Sustainable Community provides participating businesses the tools to become more energy efficient, reduce operating costs and boost their bottom lines.

Asheville, NC

Though countless businesses around the country are implementing new practices to reduce their environmental impact, the carbon-emitting necessity of travel is often beyond their control. Even the greenest of employees find themselves towing briefcases filled with recycled paper onto an airplane that burns nearly a gallon of fuel every second. Those individuals traveling to Asheville, North Carolina, however, can fly through clean skies with a clean conscience. Thanks to the innovative Asheville Offset program of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Convention and Visitors Bureau, visitors have the opportunity to counteract carbon emissions produced from their travel. Through this program, Asheville can continue to protect the great natural amenities that have supported a tourist economy for decades.

North Myrtle Beach, SC

One would be hard-pressed to find a region rich in oil with untapped wells or accessible coal unscathed by a miner. It does not take long, however, to find a powerful natural energy source literally blowing past American cities, unharnessed. Current technology is able to capture nearly 60 percent of wind’s energy. This potential power in the wind flowing over the United States in one year is more than the country’s total power needs for those same 365 days, yet wind power currently makes up less than one percent of our energy supply. This number is likely to grow in the not so distant future, however, as communities around the world are working to capture this free and renewable resource. One such community is North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Through alliances with a number of local economic and academic institutions, the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce is taking steps not only toward local energy independence but toward the establishment of a powerful economic cluster.

St. Louis, MO

The distribution of transportation, housing, human capital, and other similar resources has led most civic leaders to agree that a regional approach to economic development is most effective.  After decades of success in advancing the economy of their 16-county region, expanding into both Missouri and Illinois, the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association (RCGA) is determined to realize similar accomplishments in their regional approach to climate change issues.  Through their participation as a pilot region in the Climate Prosperity Project, one of the newest and most ambitious initiatives marrying climate protection and economic development, RCGA is improving not only the economic strength, but the environmental vitality of greater St. Louis. 

Chapel Hill-Carrboro, NC

A program instigated by the local chamber of commerce that teaches businesses how they can effectively use sustainable solutions to cut costs and reduce waste.

This report showcases the innovation and leadership of 22 chambers of commerce that when faced with the challenge of ensuring the future strength of their economies, have employed creative new agendas that not only help reverse the effects of environmental degradation but leverage the occasion for valuable economic and social gain. Click here to download the report.

The age 65+ population is expected to double by 2030.  How are local communities preparing for this change?  This fall, a new n4a-led, MetLife Foundation-funded survey will look closely at the progress underway in every aspect of community life--including land use and zoning, housing, transportation, social services and civic engagement.

With its partners, the International City/County Management Association, Partners for Livable Communities, the National Association of Counties, the National League of Cities, and the American Planning Association, n4a will poll 10,000 cities and counties across the nation, and look at advances made since the last “Maturing of America” survey was conducted in 2005.   The earlier study found that while initial steps were being taken, much more needs to be done.  n4a will issue a report on this year’s follow-up survey in May, 2011.  Stay tuned!

 

This is a Compendium of Community Aging Initiatives, which was made possible by generous support from MetLife Foundation. The Compendium provides information on 121 initiatives and organizations across the country that are helping communities become more aging friendly. The goal of this project is to shorten the learning curve through continued information sharing and cross-learning, so please feel free to distribute this report to other individuals or organizations who may find it useful. The report was produced by the Center for the Advanced Study of Aging Services at University of California Berkley.  Click here to download the Report.

This brochure highlights the prevalent issues of today affecting all of our communities and provides concrete examples of the myriad types of institutions that have become “Fulcrums of Change” for the betterment of the people and neighborhoods where they are located.

San José, CA

An arts organization teams up with a small, local business to create a central gathering place and cultural center within a struggling neighborhood.

During the past 25 years at different intervals, Partners has honored communities with the title, "America's Most Livable" for their efforts to improve the livability of their communities by addressing such issues as smart growth, using a community's assets for economic and community development, innovative leadership strategies, undertaking programs for youth at risk and regional collaboration, just to name a few.

Partners' thirty years of experience have shaped its reputation as a leading expert in the livable communities movement. In creating this "Most Livable Communities" list, Partners is helping cities to brand themselves as the best, by bestowing our 'seal of approval' on this exclusive roster. These have set a shining example of what cities should strive for throughout the United States and the world.

Governing magazine founder Peter Harkness writes about how local business and governmental entities are taking action on climate change issues in their communities.

Neal Pierce reports on Partners' release of the report– “Enterprise at Home–Chambers of Commerce as the New Players in Environmental Sustainability” that focuses on green/climate change initiatives of leading chambers spread from New England to southern California.

Washington, D.C.

A committee made up of arts, business, and civic leaders dedicated to the cultural development of the Washington, D.C. community.