Towns across Oregon are looking for ways to balance their budgets. Better development strategies could help them do that.

A new report released today by the national non-profit Smart Growth America reveals how much municipalities can save, on average, by using smart growth development strategies.

More sprawl means more infrastructure, and much higher costs that persist long into the future for service and maintenance.

Want to help shape Oregon policy makers' decisions about jobs, the economy, health, and more? The Oregon's Kitchen Table project is a great opportunity to participate in the conversation. Sign up now to participate in the 2013 Oregon Values and Beliefs Survey.

More info from the OKT people:

A recent Opt In survey reveals that Portland region residents are concerned about climate change and safe transportation options in their communities, reports the Portland Tribune's Jim Redden:

Metro sponsored the online survey as part of its Climate Smart Communities Scenarios Project. The regional elected government started the project in response to a directive from the 2007 Oregon Legislature to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles in the metropolitan area.

The Oregon State Board of Agriculture has released its 2013 Oregon State of Agriculture report, a biennial assessment of the opportunities and challenges facing Oregon's second-largest industry. Among its key recommendations: don’t fall back on our duty to protect farmland.

The Daily Journal of Commerce has looked into our recent report on the infrastructure challenges facing Oregon communities, and what we can do to save taxpayers money in the long run.

Entitled More Extensive Is More Expensive, our new report explores Oregon's growing fiscal burden from sprawl-related infrastructure. Using examples from around the nation, we suggest a more transparent approach that could savie Oregon communities millions.

Give people transportation options, and people will use them. This makes a whole region's transportation system more effective, writes Metro Council President Tom Hughes in an op-ed published by the Oregonian on November 6.

Oregonians are sending state leaders clear priorities to drive the economic recovery:  invest in good long term bets, like world-class infrastructure, a reliable resource economy, and healthy rivers and aquifers.

Once again Oregon communities are receiving high praise from a national source. This time it’s a new report from Reconnecting America, examining American communities’ progress toward creating “complete communities.”

Eugene City Councilors will soon decide whether to proceed with an extension of the successful EmX bus rapid transit system. In an op-ed for the Register-Guard, our Willamette Valley Advocate explains why it's important to think very carefully about the decision's potential impact.