Article Six ways states could help cities and towns implement climate solutions 2nd March 2022 Cities, towns and regions are creating jobs, improving health and making communities more livable. Many of them are doing so as part of their strategy to address climate change. This is an approach called “multisolving,” and examples of it are becoming more common. Case in point: Home weatherization programs reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide […]
Article What networks need from municipal and county leaders 28th February 2022 From collective impact to collaborative cities, many communities urge local organizations to coordinate their programs or services. These communities are further encouraged by federal agencies that increasingly call for network approaches to social concerns in education and health. After the success of the federally funded Area Agencies on Aging, other federal agencies offered their own […]
NewsCommentary Democracy must prevail: American City & County stands with Ukraine 25th February 2022 Vitali Klitschko, mayor of Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv, has traded in his suit jacket and pen for a flak jacket and rifle. “I don’t have another choice. I have to do that. I would fight,” said Klitschko, 50, in an interview with ITV’s “Good Morning Britain” on Thursday. Klitschko, who won numerous world heavyweight […]
Commentary One year later, Capitol attack reverberates through society, drives civic discourse 6th January 2022 The memory of watching an unruly mob of thousands swarm through broken-down barriers, assaulting police officers and breaking into the U.S. Capitol building can’t easily be shaken. One year ago, for the first time in modern history, America’s political seat was assaulted from within. While the rioters’ attempt at disrupting the joint session of Congress assembled to count electoral […]
Article How the $1 trillion infrastructure bill will deliver broadband expansion to reinvigorate local governments and citizen engagement 20th December 2021 In our modern, digital world, internet access is now critical infrastructure. And any lack of internet access promises to hinder both citizens and local government, limiting possible community growth and potential. To deliver this now essential tool, a proposed $65 billion from the $1 trillion infrastructure bill has been allocated to expanding digital infrastructure and […]
Article Cyber-first infrastructure should be a priority 14th December 2021 Now that the battle has ended and the $1 trillion infrastructure bill is law, another challenge has come into stark relief—how to build this critical infrastructure securely. The only way to do this is to have a “cyber-first” mindset when developing these projects across the country. To its credit, the legislation sets aside nearly $2 […]
Article Smart cities need a connectivity upgrade 10th December 2021 If a smart city is one that puts data and digital technology to work to make better decisions and improve the quality of life of its inhabitants, then the ease, speed and security with which that data can be accessed and processed is paramount. Connectivity among these digital systems is key, which means that smart […]
Article Four key elements to building community trust and transparency in strategic plans 9th December 2021 I have enormous respect for the work of local government officials. Under immense pressure, and with significant constraints, they set out each day to uncover new ways of improving the lives of the people in their communities. Over the last two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has tested their mettle. As the crisis took hold in […]
Commentary Global pandemic ignites new era of public safety innovation 8th December 2021 History shows that times of crisis and disruption are often the driving force behind technological innovation and growth. Nowhere is this more evident than in public safety, where those on the frontlines in law enforcement and emergency response need to adapt quickly to meet the safety and security needs of the communities they serve. One […]
Article Cost, flexibility prompting many U.S. cities to give BRT a second look 23rd November 2021 A confluence of spiraling costs, rising environmental concerns and a huge influx of federal dollars is prompting government officials nationwide to give a public transportation option which has been with us since the early 1970s a second look. Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is a bus-based public transport system that combines technology, road designs and route […]
Young Leaders Episode 4 – Cyril Jefferson – City Councilman, High Point, North Carolina 13th October 2020