Join the Governor's Grants Training Conference on November 13, 2014 to learn about the most dramatic grants reform in 50 years. If you manage a federal or state pass-through grant, you need to know how to employ the new federal guidelines. Take advantage of the early bird price available until october 10. Learn more and register.

14th Annual New Partners for Smart Growth Conference - Jan. 29-31, Baltimore, Maryland

Practical Tools and Innovative Strategies for Creating Great Communities

The program will span three full days with optional pre- and post-conference events. The main program will kick off on Thursday morning, January 29, and continue through Saturday afternoon. The schedule includes a dynamic mix of plenaries, breakouts, implementation workshops, focused training sessions, peer-to-peer learning opportunities, and coordinated networking activities. It will also feature exciting tours of local model projects in and around the greater Baltimore region.. Learn more and register. Online registration is now open. Don't miss your chance for early bird registration - Register here by November 10!

FYI... Items of Interest

Applications now being accepted for Smart Growth America's 2015 free technical assistance workshops. Now in its fourth year, this program helps communities find solutions to local development issues, so that participating communities are able to grow in ways that benefit residents and businesses while protecting the environment and preserving a sence of place. Over 50 communities have already received Smart Growth America's assistance through this program. For additional information.

The Maryland Scenic Byways Program Advisory Committee has published a strategic plan to integrate Maryland's Scenic Byways to the surrounding landscape. Maryland Scenic Byways: Moving Forward Toward Sustainability guides and supports the system of scenic byways as an integral part of Maryland's transportation network. As part of the plan, the State Highway Administration (SHA) is installing new signs for the state and national routes to meet modern traffic standards. For local agencies and advocates, the Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) and SHA developed the Scenic Byways Resource Protection Application, a GIS-based mapping tool to inventory protected, vulnerable and threatened resources along Maryland's Scenic Byways.

To stay abreast of comp plan reviews throughout Maryland, check MDP's Local Comprehensive Plan page regularly.

Recent Reports & Publications

Reinvest Maryland: Accelerating Infill, Redevelopment & Community Revitalization

The report from the Maryland Sustainable Growth Commission sets forth dozens of recommandations to help communities across Maryland improve their downtowns, strengthen their economies, add needed housing and even provide a streetscape facelift.

Tools for Transit Oriented Development MDP's comprehensive online planning and implementation resource offers tools for planners, developers, elected officials and residents to advance transit-oriented development in their jurisdictions.

Tax Increment Financing: User Guide for Maryland Sustainable Community Revitalization

To address community infrastructure needs and attract development projects that further local goals, local governments can consider Tax Increment Financing (TIF), a method that capitalizes on an increase in property tax receipts from new development to pay for public improvements that promote economic development. Learn more about how to use this financing tool following the 2013 Maryland law enhancing the ability of local governments to use TIF.

Maryland Planning Today is a service of the Maryland Department of Planning

Links to articles posted in this e-mail are the property of the media providers hosting them. The Maryland Department of Planning is providing links to articles relevant to planning and growth as service to its mailing list subscribers. The views expressed in these articles are not necessarily those of MDP or the State of Maryland.

Maryland Department of Planning Media Contacts

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