In the previous century, America’s legacy cities experienced massive population growth, becoming centers of innovation known around the world. This status was then followed by rapid population decline, as a result of a shifting global economy. But even as many American communities struggled to adjust to the changing economic winds, many remain and have become
This is guest post by Nancy LeaMond, Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer for AARP. As political pundits continue to unpack the lessons of 2018 and start prognosticating about 2020, it’s important to remember that important elections are happening this year at the local level. Races for mayor, county executive, as well as city, town and county
The rising cost of education and the impact student loan debt has on youth and families can stunt a person’s buying power significantly over time. Financial insecurity delays the purchasing of homes and pushes more parents to take on their children’s education debt—increasing their own financial instability further. But local leaders can help residents within
PFAS substances are a group of man-made chemicals that were made and used in a variety of industries around the globe—and these chemicals are making their way into drinking water systems across the country, particularly in communities near military installations or industrial sites. 14 local leaders from the National League of Cities (NLC) Energy, Environment,
This is guest post by Bill Eller, vice president, business development at HomeServe. As Congress and the president eye a bipartisan effort at improving our aging infrastructure, the time for a wide-reaching infrastructure program to rebuild water, electric, transportation and information infrastructure, is now. The need for locally-based planning and financial partnerships, not only to
The conversation around infrastructure in America has never been more urgent or relevant than it is today. As our nation approaches the finish line of the 7th annual Infrastructure Week, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on the action, advocacy and discussion we were fortunate to witness this week. Here are some of
Having resided in Purcellville, Va. since 2006, my family and I settled here because we have always loved its balance of old and new and its small-town warmth. Subsequently, during my five-year tenure as Purcellville’s mayor, I have made it my priority to engage all members of the community, to build upon our existing assets,
This blog was excerpted from NLC’s recent report, Micromobility in Cities. Shared electric scooters have taken cities by storm, and by now, everyone has either seen or heard about this new way to get around. This old mode of transportation — the kick scooter — has been made new with an electric motor and the ability
For those of us lucky enough to live in areas with easy access to high-speed internet, it can be easy to forget: access to broadband is not created equal. For many in rural areas and even suburban communities, there might be very little or nearly non-existent internet access. More than connecting to Netflix, Facebook or
This week, the nation is recognizing Infrastructure Week. There will be events, discussions and advocacy actions across the country. But for cities, towns and villages, every week is infrastructure week. When our residents hit a pothole on the way to work or their houses get flooded by a water pipe break – we are the
