One Southern Indiana Chamber & Economic Development’s Post

After years of working in political communications at both the provincial and federal levels, I’ve come to realize that a true passion lies in municipal politics. While my first love was federal politics—largely because I’m a big-picture thinker who likes to look at issues from a holistic, overarching perspective—I’ve discovered that when it comes to getting things done in a practical, hands-on way, municipal politics is where real impact happens. Unlike federal decisions, which can take time to trickle down and be felt in our day-to-day lives, municipal politics touches people directly in their communities. It’s the decisions made at this level that determine the quality of local services, infrastructure, and public spaces—the very things we interact with every day. Whether it’s improving a park, addressing economic development needs, or fixing a local road, municipal politics offers tangible, immediate results that make a difference. It’s exciting to be part of something that affects real change in people’s daily lives. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing the impact of a decision take shape right in the heart of a community. This evening I have the privilege of chairing a community roundtable for Annapolis Royal’s business community to help energize the autumn and winter season! #MunicipalPolitics #CommunityImpact #PoliticalCommunications #LocalGovernment #MakingADifference #PublicService

🔎 A Year of Impact at the Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies 🔎 At the Lewis Center, we’re driven by a mission to improve the quality of life in Los Angeles through innovative research and policy solutions around the critical (and often overlapping) issues of #housingaffordability and #transportationequity. Over the past year, our work has played a larger role in influencing policy in the region. 🏘️ Fair Housing Land Use With our new Fair Housing Land Use Score (#FHLUS), we’re highlighting how cities can better affirmatively further fair housing, addressing segregation and inequality in their housing elements. 🚗 Transportation Equity By evaluating #BlueLA, we’ve explored how carsharing programs can improve mobility for low-income families, while also identifying key barriers such as vehicle availability and commute limitations. 🎙 Expanding Reach Our UCLA Housing Voice podcast has grown tremendously, with 78 new episodes to date. This year, we focused on critical issues like homelessness, bringing together experts to spark discussions on the most effective interventions. 🎓 Supporting Students Each year, we provide critical funding to #UCLALuskin graduate students, supporting their capstone projects tackling pressing local issues. For the second year in a row, a student fellow was recognized for the best transportation planning project in the country. #CUTC #NevilleParkerAward 📢 Join us as we continue to engage with policymakers, communities, and fellow researchers to make Los Angeles a more equitable and sustainable place to live. Let’s keep pushing forward together! Read the full Director’s Report: https://arcg.is/unWW8

In a world where headlines often showcase the challenges that divide us, there are quiet, powerful stories of communities coming together to honor shared values. This week’s Good Government Files highlights two Texas cities, Canyon and Round Rock, and how they've turned loss into legacy through public spaces named after two young people, Kylie Hiner and Clay Madsen. The Kylie Hiner Memorial Playground and the Clay Madsen Recreation Center have become more than just landmarks; they’re sacred places of remembrance, inclusivity, and hope. These spaces remind us of the strength in unity and the timeless bonds that sustain a community. These projects speak volumes about the impact local government can have on its people. By creating places that foster connection and celebrate cherished lives, the City of Canyon and the City of Round Rock show how thoughtful planning can honor memory while uniting a community. Curious to learn how these efforts have transformed public spaces and made an enduring difference? 📖 Read the full story in this week’s edition of Good Government Files to discover more on how thoughtful governance can transcend the ordinary: https://lnkd.in/gQhWWDaA #CommunityImpact #GoodGovernance #PublicSpaces #LegacyOfLove #Texas

While San Diego County is often seen as prosperous, it also faces considerable economic challenges. 📉 Daniel Enemark, Chief Economist at the San Diego Regional Policy & Innovation Center, sheds light on the notable disparities in our region. Read the full report at https://lnkd.in/gJKqFenw. #SanDiego #SocialChange #CommunityDevelopment

We define the Northland as eight counties across the Minnesota Arrowhead, plus Douglas County in Wisconsin. This region is deeply interconnected in terms of economy, culture, and more: https://lnkd.in/ekK9Cs3 #northspan

We define the Northland as eight counties across the Minnesota Arrowhead, plus Douglas County in Wisconsin. This region is deeply interconnected in terms of economy, culture, and more: https://lnkd.in/ekK9Cs3 #northspan

Today’s #MayorsDeskMonday feature is City of Berkeley, California, Mayor Jesse Arreguin, the first Latino and second youngest chief municipal executive in the city’s history. At age nine, Mayor Arreguín helped lead efforts to name a San Francisco street after activist Cesar Chavez, beginning a lifelong commitment to social justice. In fall 2022, he spoke with Anthony Flint about prioritizing affordable housing, improving city infrastructure, and combating climate change. “Are we a city of equity and inclusivity? If we are, then we need to welcome new people into our community and create opportunities for them to live here— people who previously lived here and were displaced, people who work here but can’t afford to live here,” he said. “And, obviously, there’s a climate benefit if people do not have to drive an hour or two hours to get to Berkeley...Building dense, transit-oriented development is a critical part of taking bold climate action; our land use policies and our actions to encourage more dense housing are really critical climate action strategies.” #MayorsDeskMonday is a series spotlighting the mayors featured in Anthony Flint’s recent book “Mayor’s Desk: 20 Conversations with Local Leaders Solving Global Problems.” Learn more about “Mayor’s Desk”: https://lnkd.in/eTwSqh_i Buy the book: https://lnkd.in/ezQJgTac

The Milken Institute released their Best Performing Cities (BPC) report this week. The two communities I value most are on this list: Northwest Arkansas (#7) and San Francisco (#27). Take a look! https://lnkd.in/g-rRH6_K #sanfrancisco #ggu #businessandlaw #milkeninstitute #northwestarkansas #bentonville #economicdevelopment #workforcedevelopment #workforceplanning #sanfrancisco #ggu #businessandlaw

Lessons for Mayor Adams: Avoiding Mistakes for a Stronger City #aloofleadershipstyle #autocraticleadershipstyle #buildingcoalitions #cautionarytale #ChicagoMayorLoriLightfoot #COVID19pandemic #crimeandeducationissues #effectiveandsustainablelegacy. #electiondefeat #executivepower #JesusChuyGarcia #landslidevictory #leadershipstyle #NewYorkCityMayorEricAdams #persistentproblemswithcrimeandeducation #schoolandbusinessclosures #slowresponsetothepandemic #urbanchallenges #workingcollaboratively

🚨 Big Announcement! 🚨 After months of hard work, I’m proud to announce the completion of our 200+ page platform, titled The NOLA Prosperity and Cultural Preservation Plan—a comprehensive vision for the future of New Orleans. This plan isn’t just about making promises, it’s about real solutions that focus on prosperity and preserving our unique culture for generations to come. Our plan is built around 4 key pillars: 1️⃣ Education and Teacher Reform: We will revitalize our public neighborhood schools, support our teachers, and invest in trade programs that will equip our students with the skills they need to succeed. 2️⃣ Crime and Anti-Corruption Reform: It’s time to clean up City Hall and restore trust in our local government by targeting corruption and ensuring public safety for all. 3️⃣ Mental and Medical Healthcare Reform: We’re committed to expanding access to mental health services, ensuring every New Orleanian has the care they deserve. We’re also pushing for a state-of-the-art behavioral health hospital to support those in crisis. 4️⃣ Job Creation and Infrastructure Development: From fixing our broken streets to creating 41,000 sustainable jobs, we are laying the foundation for a stronger, more resilient economy. This platform represents a historic movement for New Orleans—a city that deserves real leadership and a plan that doesn’t just talk about change but makes it happen. Let’s make history together. Join me as we work toward a New Orleans that is prosperous, just, and culturally vibrant! #nola #neworleans #twiggsformayor #nolalife #hope