'Retail incubation' is finding footing in New Jersey and nationally as a downtown revitalization tool.
Downtowns across the country are attempting to find new and creative revitalization programs. Growing new retailers, or incubating them, is a fast-growing trend in that arena. Newton, New Jersey is attempting the process--and the article sites other cities where it has worked and has not. For example: Cedar Rapids, Portland, Michigan.
"Bringing in new entrepreneurs to help develop their businesses, and then get them out door to go off on their own. That's the idea behind one of the latest initiatives to revitalize downtown Newton--the business incubator."
"From Iowa to Michigan, retail business incubators have seen varying levels of success as the antidote to downtown business woes."
This piece brings to the fore a growing trend and a tool that can be utilized by many downtowns, while making known the attendant problems inherent with the concept.
FULL STORY: Sprouting Jobs In Newton

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Half of Post-Fire Altadena Home Sales Were to Corporations
Large investors are quietly buying up dozens of properties in Altadena, California, where a devastating wildfire destroyed more than 6,000 homes in January.

Opinion: What San Francisco’s Proposed ‘Family Zoning’ Could Really Mean
Mayor Lurie is using ‘family zoning’ to encourage denser development and upzoning — but could the concept actually foster community and more human-scale public spaces?

Jacksonville Launches First Autonomous Transit Shuttle in US
A fleet of 14 fully autonomous vehicles will serve a 3.5-mile downtown Jacksonville route with 12 stops.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont