City council members approved a 30-year tax abatement for construction of a large downtown apartment complex for mostly college students, saying it was the best option for developing the vacant property. Glenn Paterson, city planning director, said that under the tax abatement, the developer will pay $1.58 million annually as payment in lieu of taxes, commonly known as a PILOT. That amount would be significantly less tax than the $2.4 million in annual taxes that would be collected without an abatement. New Brunswick, Paterson said, needs housing construction and wants Rutgers University students in the downtown to contribute to support local retail and restaurants. Tapinto.net

Brittan Brenner, a Pittsburg State senior plans to open a business with her best friend in the heart of downtown Pittsburg. They took the idea to the next level by entering the Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge, encouraged by their mentor, Sydney Anselmi, director of Community Engagement in PSU's University Strategic Initiatives. After presenting to judges an executive summary, a four-minute polished pitch and a branding board, the two came away with fourth place and the money they needed to launch the business. Their goal is to create a sense of community pride by supporting local artisans tangibly and financially. Pittsburg State University

Within a few months of its launch, a new Emory policy that aims to significantly increase the amount of campus waste being diverted from area landfills is already making an impact. Introduced in January, the new Campus Waste Management Policy seeks to divert 95 percent of waste from municipal landfills by 2025, effectively a zero waste policy, through a targeted strategy that includes standardized and expanded recycling bins and widespread community engagement. Examining year-to-year numbers for March, Emory saw the total waste diverted from area landfills rise from 411.35 tons to 506.198 tons, increasing the campus diversion rate from 55.1 percent to 69.9 percent. Emory.edu

A Georgia mountain community is forging a unique economic development partnership with two Tennessee cities through a downturn revitalization process pioneered by the University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government. The first-ever two-state RSVP will enable the citizens, business leaders and public officials in the rural communities, which have interconnected economies, to implement a long-term regional development plan. The nine-month project is supported by a grant from the Lyndhurst Foundation, which funds community revitalization strategies, arts and cultural activities, and conservation and outdoor recreation projects in Chattanooga and the surrounding region. UGA Today