Impact Statement
The Smart Growth Partnership (SGP) has excelled as a convener of stakeholders and resources, and as a community advisor providing education and technical assistance to organizations such as WEDIG, DARCee, PEC, LHCC, LHCLI, SPC, VIP/FLAG, Trafford CDC, CommuteINFO Advisory Committee, and in municipalities such as Murrysville, Rostraver, Irwin, Trafford, Jeannette, New Stanton, New Kensington, Allegheny Township, and Greensburg.
Smart Growth Partners work directly with multiple townships, municipalities and county agencies.
Marcellus education via a Penn State Extension webinar series and small group presentations have reached more than 35,000 program participants. Economic Exchange Day and Conservation Camp reached more than 150 middle and high school youth and community leaders each year.
SGP leads collaboration with Pitt-Greensburg and with Indiana University of PA (IUP) Dept. of Geography faculty and students to provide services in several communities. Pilot examples are GIS projects for the Jeannette Redevelopment Authority, a design project for the City of Latrobe, and Community Visioning Projects in New Stanton and New Kensington. In Jeannette and Mount Pleasant, data was gathered by class project students and summer interns. A series of GIS maps of the community will be used in future planning by the cities, community leaders, and their redevelopment/community development authorities and revitalization organizations.
The City of Latrobe wants to be known as the “Smart Growth” model city for Westmoreland County by creating a more inviting and walkable downtown, and Smart Grwoth Partnership assistance there continues.
The partnership has also been engaged with with the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport on planning for the future and sustainablilty of not only the airport facilities, but also the communities and transportation systems that surround it.
As a direct result of SGP assistance. five municipalities in the WEDIG area are focusing on adding a climbing lane to Route 356 and studying the accompanying land use implications, as well as looking at implementing a number of Quality of Life community development projects.
Background Statement
The Smart Growth Partnership was founded in 2001 as a part of the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. It was founded by a group of Westmoreland County leaders who shared a concern about poorly planned community growth in Westmoreland County suburban areas and the negative consequences of urban decline in the county’s core communities.
In June 2001, the partnership hired its first Executive Director, a community planner with experience in county, comprehensive and transportation planning. In 2002, SGP formed a partnership with the Westmoreland County Penn State Cooperative Extension to share a full-time community development educator. As a part of a transition from the University of Pittsburgh to the Penn State Extension in 2008, the SGP incorporated and applied to the Internal Revenue Service for 501(c)3 non-profit tax exempt status. Due to the overall declining economy, in mid-2011 the Partnership moved away from full-time staffing to staffing on an as-needed basis.
Staffing a unique operation like the Smart Growth Partnership (SGP) requires a multi-disciplinary team approach. The SGP staff takes a holistic approach to community development and revitalization, engaging in all phases of development – education, visioning, planning, design and implementation. Beyond services provided by staff, the SGP leverages resources of partners, volunteers, collaborators, and sometimes utilizes the services of professional consultants. SGP university partner faculty members, through focused class projects and student internships, are frequently engaged in community project development and implementation.
Community input and guidance are provided by the SGP Board of Directors and standing committees. The Board demonstrates positive involvement through regular meetings, monitoring the financial dealings of the Partnership and regularly reviewing financial statements. Board members work with staff and the committees to set program direction. Board members have high visibility in the community, and promote the mission of the SGP. The Partnership works where there is community need, interest, and good prospects for project implementation.
Needs Statement
Top five needs of the organization —
- Funds for sustaining the organization. Base budget is $120,000 per year.
- Funding to cover the travel and course credit costs of student interns who provide knowledge and talent to complete community projects that exemplify Smart Growth. The cost to students for completing an internship is $1500-$2000. Smart Growth Partnership leaders would like to be able to cover these costs for them.
- Funding to sponsor educational events that build the capacity of community leaders to improve the growth of their communities. Each event costs between $100-$5000, depending on duration and focus.
- Funding to restore our previous level of staffing, to better assist Westmoreland Communities that request planning and plan implementation assistance
- Volunteers who are willing to fulfill the Smart Growth Mission and Vision with their own time, talent and treasure
