Mayor Madeline Rogero is one of 22 leading local officials from jurisdictions around the country to join the Advisory Board of Smart Growth America's new Local Leaders Council. This nonpartisan group of local officials is dedicated to facilitating collaboration and networking among municipal leaders with a shared interest in using smart growth strategies to generate economic returns, save taxpayer money and provide housing and transportation options near jobs, shops and schools.

"We must reinvest where disinvestment has occurred, focusing on redevelopment from the center and then out, while preserving our natural resources and cultural and historic assets," said Mayor Rogero. "I am glad to join the Advisory Board of Smart Growth America's Local Leaders Council, as it will be a forum for leaders to exchange the good ideas that have been demonstrated to work. I'm looking forward to seeing what other communities are doing but also to showcase the good progress Knoxville has made."

As an Advisory Board Member, Mayor Rogero will work with other accomplished municipal leaders from around the country to guide the growth and develop the program of this new nationwide network. The Advisory Board of the Local Leaders Council (roster attached separately) is comprised of municipal leaders representing big cities, rural towns, and suburban communities, each with their own set of challenges and opportunities. The Advisory Board convened for the first time on Oct. 1st, 2012, to discuss shared goals and deliberate on the services the Council would provide its members, which will include elected and appointed decision makers at the city and county levels. Members will receive technical assistance in policy development, reviews of best practices across a broad range of issues, and access to one another to share ideas and lessons in smart growth implementation.

"We are thrilled to have Mayor Rogero join the Advisory Board. From reclamation of blighted properties to redevelopment of Knoxville's South Waterfront to preservation of the Urban Wilderness, it is clear she has a strong understanding of how to strengthen a community economically while improving quality of life. As an Advisory Board Member, her experience will benefit many other jurisdictions," said William Fulton, Smart Growth America's Vice President for Policy & Implementation and former Mayor of Ventura, CA.

With guidance from the Advisory Board, Smart Growth America will begin to recruit the first members of the Local Leaders Council. Initially, membership will be by invitation with Board members and general members making nominations to grow the network.

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.