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<br /> <br />c <br /> <br />Preamble <br /> <br />The mission of economic developers is economic vitality. It <br />is our job to ensure that a community has the highest-quality <br />economy provided by community assets and potential. A <br />high quality economy provides the greatest possible income, <br />wealth, job opportunities, and governmental revenues. A <br />local area's economic vitality ultimately "drives" the <br />resources of local/regional areas, which makes the vision of <br />Smart Growth possible. Sustainable quality of life is based <br />on a sustainable economy, while a sustainable economy is <br />just as important as other sustainable quality of life factors. <br /> <br />c <br /> <br />As presently constituted, policy discussions of Smart Growth <br />do not make any distinction between population growth and <br />economic growth. As economic developers, we know that <br />economic "growth" - consisting of economic vitality, <br />growth, and change - is distinctly different than population <br />growth, The current issues of Smart Growth proponents <br />mainly arise from population growth. As economic <br />developers, we believe that a community's economic vitality <br />should raise its standard of living, <br /> <br />A local Smart Growth policy must preserve, if not enhance, <br />local/regional economic vitality - a concept that does not <br />necessarily mean sheer growth, Economic vitality means <br />more disposable income, a larger tax base, and an increased <br />standard of living, Quality of life factors such as <br />educational attainment and crime rate are also important in <br />making communities competitive. Economic developers <br />want to achieve jobs and population balance for our <br />communities, though we believe this balance may occur <br />within the larger region of which communities are a part. <br />Because Smart Growth is implemented at the local, <br />community scale, its definition depends on a region's unique <br />economic, political, social and environmental conditions, At <br />the regional and local levels, issues of transportation, housing <br />density and open space are addressed differently. A solution <br />that works in one area, may not work in another. <br /> <br />Current Definitions of Smart Growth <br /> <br />c <br /> <br />There are many facets of Smart Growth debate, However, <br />one matter is clear - Smart Growth lacks a concrete <br />definition. Though many groups and constituencies <br />propound Smart Growth, there is a wide range of <br />definitions - so many, that it is fair to say that what elements <br />comprise Smart Growth is in the eyes of the beholder. <br /> <br />As illustrated in the sampling of policy statements, Smart <br />Growth is essentially a development framework, with <br />emphasis placed on physical development. These policy <br />statements also illustrate that the economy - the mission of <br />economic developers - is left unsaid. AEDC's responsibility <br />is to speak on behalf of economic development before others <br />speak for us, <br /> <br />"To truly grow smart a community must decide what lands to <br />protect for recreation, community character, the conservation <br />of natural resources and open space. " <br />The Trust for Public Land <br /> <br />"Smart Growth takes advantage of locational decisions and <br />site designs to minimi=e development's impact on the <br />environment," "The New Economy is upon us, and Smart <br />Growth is the beneficiary. " <br />Smart Growth Network <br /> <br />"Use general plan updates to accommodate "Smart Growth", <br />promoting development that is economically viable, creates a <br />sense of community and preserves natural resources. " <br />CA American Planning Association <br /> <br />"Smart Growth means building livable communities for the <br />21s1 century through creative land planning that meets <br />housing demand while preserving the environment. " <br />National Association of Home Builders <br /> <br />"Design and construction which recaptures patterns that have . <br />proved successful in creating livable communities. .. <br />Center for Land Recycling <br /> <br />"The New Economy values quality of life more than the old <br />economy, because it values people more than the old <br />economy. " <br />Local Government Commission <br /> <br />AEDC Smart Growth Definition <br /> <br />It is the mission of economic developers to maintain and <br />enhance economic vitality, Economic development is not <br />antithetical to Smart Growth, AEDC's concern about Smart <br />Growth is limited to its economic foundations - maintaining <br />the economic vitality that allows communities to pursue all <br />other Smart Growth policies, Our specific concerns include: <br /> <br />J <br />