Obama acknowledges impact of government job losses  

President Obama acknowledged the impact government job losses have had on the economy, and on those employees' lives, during a televised town hall meeting last week....

Video: Report says transit not connecting to jobs 

Nearly 70 percent of city residents have access to transit service of some kind where they live, but they can only reach about 30 percent of jobs in their area via transit, according to a new report from the Brookings Institution....

Report: States not tracking transportation spending 

Only 13 states have goals, performance measures and data needed to show whether their surface transportation systems are advancing economic growth and other key objectives, according to a report from the Pew Center on the States and the Rockefeller Foundation....

Mayors' survey: Cities need transportation infrastructure investment 

Given the nation's current economic problems, federal transportation priorities should be targeted to metropolitan areas, home to two-thirds of U.S. residents, according to a survey of mayors of 176 cities conducted by the United States Conference of Mayors....

River revival 

Cooperative effort in Columbus, Ohio, turns riverside brownfields into downtown park....

Kansas reforms workers' comp law 

Kansas, one of nine states to first adopt workers' compensation laws in 1911, has reformed its law to better protect businesses from false claims....

Wisconsin Public Finance Authority wants to go nationwide 

The Wisconsin Public Finance Authority (PFA), which was formed last year to issue tax-exempt conduit bonds for public and private entities, is promoting its services nationwide....

In our Century 

Cities develop public relations efforts to inform residents about municipal activities and improve customer service...

California seeks federal boost for high-speed rail 

By Jennifer Grzeskowiak

In early April, California applied to the U.S. Department of Transportation for the entire $2.4 billion that Florida returned in March to use for a proposed high-speed rail line from San Francisco to Los Angeles....

Locals rally to defend CDBG funding 

By Ed Brock (edward.brock@penton.com)

Supporting jobs is not wasteful, officials say....

High-speed rail struggles to build steam 

By Jennifer Grzeskowiak

Some state leaders are overturning plans for rail lines while others remain committed....

Report: Economic development aided by CDBG funding  

The federal Community Development Block Grant program encourages economic development, according to a preliminary report released Wednesday by a group of local government associations....

Report: Green jobs increase as ARRA funding ends 

The number of stimulus-funded green jobs topped 51,700 in the sixth and final quarter of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, according to a report released Thursday by Council of State Governments....

Infrastructure, efficiency top subjects in mayors' addresses 

Government efficiency, sustainability and infrastructure were among the major topics addressed in 31 "State of the City" speeches analyzed by the National League of Cities....

Viewpoint: Readers say infrastructure work could create jobs 

American City & County readers sound off on President Obama's State of the Union suggestions for stimulating the economy....

Wisconsin passes more economic stimulus laws 

Wisconsin has approved new tax deductions for small businesses that create jobs and has changed the state's Department of Commerce into the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation....

Report: More jobs means more traffic 

By Ed Brock (edward.brock@penton.com)

Metro areas' plans include increasing road capacity and public transit....

In our century 

Cities do what they can to put residents to work in the early days of the Great Depression....

Mayors release 'Metro Agenda' 

Job creation is the central focus of the "Metro Agenda" released Wednesday by the U.S. Conference of Mayors....

Government for the people 

By Ed Brock (edward.brock@penton.com)

Programs tap neighborhood groups to engage residents....

Michigan law clears the state's economy for take off 

The sky is the limit for a new law in Michigan that aims to stimulate economic development around airports and other transportation hubs. ...

San Diego restricts "big box" stores despite mayor's veto 

San Diego has placed extra restrictions on the construction of new "big box" superstores in the city, despite a veto by the mayor. ...

EPA launches Green Power Community Challenge 

By Annie Gentile

Yearlong initiative seeks to expand alternative energy use....

Report: Brownfield redevelopment leads to more jobs, increased tax revenue 

"Recycling America's Land: A National Report on Brownfields Redevelopment (1993-2010)" found that brownfield projects created around 161,880 jobs, and generated $309 million in tax revenue for 50 cities since 1993....

Officials: Lighting ordinances are not bad for business 

By Anne Martin

Advocates for ordinances that limit outdoor lighting insist such ordinances can enhance a community's appeal for businesses in the long run....