EPA News Release (Region 7): EPA to Provide Smart Growth Technical Assistance to Blue Springs, Mo.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7 901 N. Fifth St., Kansas City, KS 66101   Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Nine Tribal Nations   EPA to Provide Smart Growth Technical Assistance to Blue Springs, Mo.   Contact Information: Ben Washburn, 913-551-7364, washburn.ben@epa.gov Environmental News   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   (Kansas City, Kan., Feb. 3, 2012) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced that the City of Blue Springs, Mo., will receive technical assistance through the Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities program. The announcement was made at the New Partners for Smart Growth Conference in San Diego, Calif. The assistance will be delivered during a day-long community workshop to provide the city with ideas for changing local policies and procedures to improve the economy, the environment and quality of life.   EPA awarded Blue Springs, Mo., a Walking Audit workshop. The workshop will indentify the good and bad aspects of the city sidewalk system so that recommendations can be provided to help shape the city’s policies, codes, priorities, and standards for sidewalks.   “The Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities program allows EPA, in partnership with other federal agencies, to provide technical assistance so communities can realize their vision of a sustainable future,” said Karl Brooks, EPA Region 7 Administrator. “I applaud the City of Blue Springs for setting an example in sustainability for other communities to follow.”   Across the nation, EPA awarded 56 communities with technical assistance through the Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities program. Building Blocks is a project of the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, involving EPA, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The interagency collaboration coordinates federal investments in infrastructure, facilities and services to get better results for communities and use taxpayer money more efficiently. The partnership is helping communities across the country create more housing choices, make transportation more efficient and reliable, reinforce existing investments, and support vibrant and healthy neighborhoods that attract businesses. With assistance from EPA-funded private sector experts, the communities will focus on a specific development tool, such as improving pedestrian access and safety, green infrastructure, or economic and fiscal health assessment. Communities will also learn about other strategies for development that can improve the environment and the economy.   # # #   More information on the Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities More information on the Partnership for Sustainable Communities   More information on the New Partners for Smart Growth conference   Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook: www.facebook.com/eparegion7     Note: If a link above doesn't work, please copy and paste the URL into a browser.     View all Region 7 News Releases     You can view or update your subscriptions or e-mail address at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. All you will need is your e-mail address. If you have any questions or problems e-mail support@govdelivery.com for assistance.  This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.    This email was sent to elmasry.webmaster@gmail.com using GovDelivery, on behalf of: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW · Washington DC 20460 · 202-564-4355