We’ll have some exciting auction items, celebrate the work of innovative and community-oriented builders, planners, architects, organizations, and developers, and enjoy some fantastic local food. 

Our Grow Smart Awards highlight the leading projects that keep our communities vibrant and this event offers the general public as well as professional peers the opportunity to celebrate and inspire one another.

No-host bar will be available.

WHEN:            Saturday, November 6, 2010

                        5:30-9:30 pm

WHERE:          Boise Depot at 2603 W. Eastover Terrace

TICKETS:       $50, contact Sandy at 208-333-8066 or sandy@idahosmartgrowth.org

 While the real estate market is still moving a bit slowly, things around our office are everything but slow.  We now have 4 staff members and an intern working to ensure that communities like yours remain healthy, vibrant places.   We’ve been doing trainings, presentations, research, and building strong partnerships- all with an eye to the (hopefully-not-too-distant) future, when our economy is back on the rise and our communities need to make some critical decisions about where and how to grow.

 City of Boise Lays out its vision for the future

A city’s comprehensive plan is its vision for the future.  The vision lays out how the city will grow and develop, what kind of recreational opportunities it will have, and how people can move around between work, home, school, and play. 

The City of Boise is currently updating its comprehensive plan and if you care about the future of our community, we encourage you to take a look. You can find all the links you need on our website, www.idahosmartgrowth.org.

(Smart) growth and rural communities

In a recent report covered in Newwest.net, Madison and Teton counties placed in the top ten of US rural counties with the largest percent population increases from 2000-2009.

 Read the article:  http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/urban_shift_population_lagging_in_rural_counties_study_shows/C559/L559/

 So, can we shape how we grow differently in the future- even in rural areas?  ICMA came out with a new report showing that smart growth can help rural communities guide growth while at the same time protecting the working lands and open spaces that define our communities.

 Download the report at:  http://icma.org/en/icma/knowledge_network/documents/kn/Document/301483/Putting_Smart_Growth_to_Work_in_Rural_Communities

 Idaho Smart Growth staff changes

We are excited to welcome Sandy Carter as our new Administrator.  Sandy will be helping us stay in touch with our members, keeping us organized, and keeping our office running smoothly.  Sandy has a strong and diverse background which includes working with a metropolitan planning organization, non-profit organizations, and hospices.  If you are in downtown Boise with a few minutes to spare, come on by our office (910 Main Street, Suite 314) and say hello to Sandy.

 Deanna Smith, our former Administrator, has a new role and Idaho Smart Growth and will be working to create healthy communities and ensure that Idaho’s roads work for pedestrians, bicyclists, buses, and cars.  She’ll be working in partnership with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and will be working with communities around Idaho including Nampa, Moscow, Lewiston, Idaho Falls, and Sun Valley.  You’ll be hearing more about Deanna’s work in the future!

Can you help us find auction items?

At our 10^th Anniversary Gala event on November 6 at the Boise Depot, we’ll be holding a silent auction and small live auction.  We are looking for donated items or services that relate to and/or promote the kind of work that we do- or “experiences.”  For example, you could offer a hike and snacks to a place that is special to you, or a weekend at your family cabin- or something even more creative.  We sure would appreciate your help!  Just email rachel@idahosmartgrowth.org.

A city’s comprehensive plan is its vision for the future.  The vision lays out how the city will grow and develop, what kind of recreational opportunities it will have, and how people can move around between work, home, school, and play. 

The City of Boise is currently updating its comprehensive plan and if you care about the future of our community, we encourage you to take a look. 

The easiest way to review the plan is to go online to www.blueprintboise.org.  If you don’t want to read the whole plan, you can spend just a few minutes reviewing the plan for your neighborhood.  And don’t forget- let the City know what you think by emailing  BlueprintBoise@cityofboise.org.

If you would like to review the comments of Idaho Smart Growth's review team, you can read our comments here.

 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY

The City of Moscow, located in the beautiful Idaho panhandle, has an exciting job opportunity for the right candidate to fill the position of Economic Development Specialist and Executive Director of the Urban Renewal Agency.

Moscow is nestled among the rolling hills of the Palouse area of North Idaho with nearby mountains, rivers, lakes and streams.  Come enjoy a mild four season climate with year around recreational and outdoor activities. The City is home to the University of Idaho and Washington State University is just eight miles away across the Washington, Idaho border.  Moscow was named one of the best one-hundred small cities for the arts and is called “Heart of the Arts”. The City offers all the benefits of small town living with the feel of a larger city.  Moscow provides a safe, friendly, welcoming community in which to live, work and play.

The successful candidate will possess the vision and energy to collaborate with local economic development entities to encourage and support business and economic development.  Particular emphasis will include business support, development and retention.  The successful candidate will lead the development of marketing strategies that promote the City and region as a business destination.

Applicants are required to possess any combination of education and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field and two (2) years progressively responsible professional level experience in economic or community development, research, business administration, business management, or closely related field.

The beginning annual salary is mid $60K DOE.  The City offers a full range of benefits including health, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, paid vacation and sick leave, eleven paid holidays per year and retirement through the Public Employees Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI).

Application packets that include a complete job description may be obtained at Moscow City Hall, 206 E. Third Street, Moscow, Idaho or by calling (208) 883-7000 or you may visit our website at www.ci.moscow.id.us.  A completed City Application for Employment, resume and cover letter are required.  Completed applications are to be submitted to the Human Resources Department, City of Moscow, P.O. Box 9203, Moscow, Idaho 83843.  Incomplete applications will not be considered.

First review of applications will take place July 30, 2010.  Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. The City of Moscow is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The Treasure Valley Food Coalition recently commissioned a report to look at questions like these.  The study, completed by Ken Meter of Crossroads Research Center, includes lots of great information.  For example, did you know that if families in the Treasure Valley purchased 15% of their food locally, that would produce $165 million of new farm income?

You can read the report here and learn more about local food issues by attending the City Club of Boise forum on July 20 (sign up at www.cityclubofboise.org).

Your story doesn’t have to be long, but you do have to let us to share it on our blog, www.treasurevalleyinmotion.org.

So give it a whirl- help improve our air quality, keep a few more dollars in your wallet, and get to know your community. 

And for extra credit- May 21 is bike to work day, so lets see if we can get at least 100 people to bike to work- and to let us know on the blog, www.treasurevalleyinmotion.org.  It’s easy- on May 21, just ride your bike in, then get online and respond to the day’s post saying “I did”- then watch as we count up to 100!

To learn more about May in Motion, check out http://www.commuteride.com/MayInMotion.aspx.

Have questions?  Email Rachel at Rachel@idahosmartgrowth.org.

For a special members only breakfast with Robert McNulty on May 12, contact rachel@idahosmartgrowth.org.  Limited to the first 10 people who sign up!

Partners for Livable Communities is a national nonprofit organization working to restore and renew the communities we work and live in by promoting quality of life, economic development, and social equity.  Robert McNulty formed Partners for Livable Places - now Partners for Livable Communities - in 1975, the first organization of its type in American history.  Immediately prior to founding Partners, McNulty served as assistant director of the Architectural and Design program of the National Endowment for the Arts.  Earlier, he was a research assistant to the director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History and an environmental advisor at the General Services Administration.

Idaho Smart Growth is a non-profit, non-partisan team offering expertise and tools to keep our communities vibrant and our lands healthy by educating Idaho citizens about growth issues and choices, building coalitions of Idahoans who support smart growth, implementing smart growth strategies statewide, and helping decision makers and community leaders to implement smart growth policies.

Meuleman Mollerup LLP attorneys have served the construction, real estate, and business communities for over 29 years.  The attorneys of Meuleman Mollerup offer the experience and expertise that come from years of focus on those specific industry groups.  On the web at www.lawidaho.com.

Real Estate ● Commercial Litigation ● General Business ● Construction

Building Legal Solutions for your Business

For more information contact:

Vivian Otero-Epley, Marketing & Client Services Manager

Meuleman Mollerup LLP
208.342.6066
www.lawidaho.com