State grant money available for smart planning

Is your community considering how best to accommodate new growth in compact, mixed-use, transit-oriented locations that are best suited to accommodate it and that support efficient use of existing public facilities and services, minimizing congestion and environmental impacts?

The RI Statewide Planning Program is now accepting grant applications for land-use related planning and for implementation studies through February 24, 2006.

A total of $250,000 is being made available and will likely be awarded in amounts of $25,000 to $75,000 to 4-6 recipients. Among the eligible activities is the local identification and adoption of preferred “growth centers” or priority investment areas.