The new economy is upon us and smart growth is a beneficiary.
Companies are on the move and being drawn to communities that offer a good quality of life.
First, companies realize that their workers want to live in communities that offer reasonable commutes, a vibrant social life, environmental amenities, housing and transportation choice. To retain and attract their employees, companies must locate in such environments. The suburban office park, filled with buildings and cars, but with few destinations, is becoming an outmoded venue for conducting business. Lastly, the private sector in the new economy equates competitive advantage with the ability of being where the action is and to them the action is in urban or town centers. The emphasis on place presents enormous opportunities for communities to capitalize on their quality of life assets and to employ them as a tool for economic development.