In conjunction with Rep. Space, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) worked with nonprofit community organizations, colleges and universities and private sector professionals to develop this legislation. Specifically, the bill will provide a maximum of $25,000 to communities with fewer than 25,000 people, Native American tribes, Alaskan native villages, land grant colleges and other universities to support long-term planning projects. It would also require grant recipients to make local contributions that cover a portion of the costs.

Section 3 of the bill introduces the ?EUR??,,????'??Community Visioning Pilot Initiative,?EUR??,,????'?? which specifies:

(1) Develop and facilitate innovative visions that help small communities to address pressing local needs.

(2) Facilitate coordination between small communities, land-grant and other universities and design professionals.

(3) Encourage public-private partnerships.

(4) Translate the small community’s vision into images of design projects that integrate physical planning and design techniques, with sustainable community action, at the appropriate geographic scale.

By encouraging smart planning, the bill will help small communities address economic hardship, declining population, eroding tax bases, and environmental pressures that jeopardize their long-term viability.

?EUR??,,????'??America?EUR??,,????'???s small towns are the backbone of the country, yet often lack the resources to properly respond to various economic or demographic threats to the community,?EUR??,,????'?? observed Patrick Caughey, FASLA, president of ASLA. ?EUR??,,????'??The Small Community Visioning Improvement Act provides the desperately needed long-term planning they need.?EUR??,,????'??