Promise Zone town is one of seven picked nationally for program

Bamberg residents are invited to a workshop hosted by Smart Growth America on November 14, 2016, as part of a free, USDA Rural Development-funded technical assistance program. This workshop seeks to develop long-term strategies to help Bamberg save on infrastructure costs as the community grows.

Residents are invited to join the workshop’s first day for an introductory presentation on planning for economically and fiscally sustainable communities. The event will be held November 14, 2016, at 5:45 p.m. at the City Civic Center, 2477 Main Highway, Bamberg, S.C. 29003.  Read the agenda.

Bamberg is one of seven communities nationwide selected by Smart Growth America to participate in its rural technical assistance program.   These communities range across the country, from North Dakota to South Carolina.  The program, made possible through a partnership between USDA Rural Development and Smart Growth America, is designed to help rural communities analyze their options for locating and financing their housing, infrastructure, and community facility needs.

As a national leader in the field, Smart Growth America has accumulated extensive experience working with communities to help them use land strategically, make the most of existing resources, and invest strategically to catalyze private development.

Since 2009, USDA Rural Development has helped 1.1 million rural residents buy homes; invested $11 billion to start or expand 103,000 rural businesses; funded nearly 7,000 community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care facilities; financed 185,000 miles of electric transmission and distribution lines; and helped bring high-speed Internet access to nearly 6 million rural residents and businesses. For more information, visit www.usda.gov/results.

Smart Growth America is the only national organization dedicated to researching, advocating for and leading coalitions to bring smart growth practices to more communities nationwide. From providing more sidewalks to ensuring more homes are built near public transportation or that productive farms remain a part of our communities, smart growth helps make sure people across the nation can live in great neighborhoods. For additional information visit www.smartgrowthamerica.org.

Contacts:  

• Bruce Watson, 803-245-5128, cityofbamberg@bambergsc.com
• Robert Thomas, 803-259-7636, rthomas@scrha3.org