A ranking of the 10 most civic-minded companies holds some surprises -- mainly that the list is dominated by financial services firms.
"International companies are contributing to the betterment of the cities in which they do business, focusing on programs geared to improving health, sustainability, transportation, education, and even urban planning in metro areas," writes Mary Jander.
"It's vital to stay local. While many big corporate donors also support broader causes, the value of visible giving in a city where business is important not only builds revenue, it attracts employees and builds political equity within the community. Improving the home city means improving the business conducted there."
"So which firms stand out in civic giving?... In some cases, the firms are surprising sources of urban improvement. Who would associate some of the most disgraced financial companies on Wall Street (or Bay Street) to provide some of the most effective help for inner city education?"
FULL STORY: Top 10 Civic-Minded Companies

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

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
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Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
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MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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