A while back, Suzanne Morse of the Pew Center for Civic Engagement posted a brief tidbit about a LISC-initiated project taking place in two Rhode Island communities. The New Communities model:
has five major tenets: 1) expand investment in housing and other real estate; 2) increase family income and wealth; 3) stimulate economic activity locally and regionally; 4) improve access to education of all varieties; and 5) foster livable safe, and environmentally sound environments.
Maybe after Mayor Jones finishes reorganizing and shifting boxes in City Hall, he can ask his new community and economic development guru to explore ways to implement a more comprehensive approach to sustainable communities in Richmond.
The LISC website has more on one of the Rhode Island projects taking place in the curiously named town of Woonsocket. Some great ideas that could go a long way in some of our own city's struggling neighborhoods.
