For immediate release
April 6, 2011

Contact:
Jason Wilkinson
(719) 471-7080 x139
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Region Selected for Sustainable Communities
Building Blocks Assistance

Colorado Springs—The Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments (PPACG) is pleased to announce that the Pikes Peak region is among 32 communities in 26 states selected to receive technical assistance under the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Sustainable Communities Building Blocks Program. The community will receive assistance on using smart growth strategies to produce fiscal and economic health.

“This will bring us the latest lessons in saving money for our local governments and increasing profits for business,” said PPACG Board of Directors Chair Sallie Clark. “Smart growth strategies demonstrate how we can reduce the tax burden through better development and investments and still provide stability during these tough economic times.”

In consultation with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the EPA selected the 32 communities through a competitive process. The Building Blocks Program provides quick, targeted technical assistance to communities using a variety of tools that have demonstrated results and are in widespread use. During a day-long workshop with EPA-funded, private-sector experts, participants will explore how to diversify and strengthen the economy, as well as how to make progress toward community goals for environmentally responsible, fiscally healthy development.

The workshop, which will be open to the public, will be scheduled for early summer.

For more information on the Building Blocks Program, go to: http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/buildingblocks.htm

PPACG is a voluntary association of 16 municipal and county governments serving a regional community. Since 1967, PPACG has worked to ensure that local governments have a forum to discuss issues that cross their political boundaries, identify shared opportunities and challenges, and develop collaborative strategies for action. For more information, visit www.ppacg.org

###