We're all familiar with the now ubiquitous Kickstarter campaigns, but what about some other tools to help crowdfund local retail and development?
"When we see walkable development happen, it’s often at the hands of a professional developer, and often at a large scale. Successful retail takes an incredible amount of patience and skill too. But what about the small-scale entrepreneurs looking to start a café or a community bike shop without taking out a crippling loan? What about a small scale developer with plans for a great walkable infill project? What about personally investing in the specific business and development projects that give life and vitality to your neighborhood or main-street?"
Kickstarter, Indiegogo and the expanding universe of crowdfunding websites have brought a host of novel products to the market. But for the individual looking to make a community impact and a degree of return on their investment, options are limited. Limited, but not absent. This post explores four tools that pair community-minded individuals with investment models that have a local focus.
- Community-Based Renovation Financing
- Co-op Certificates of Deposit
- “Investment Grade” Gift Certificates
- Equity Based Crowdfunding
FULL STORY: Get off the Ground with Community Investing
Who’s Afraid of Gentrification?
Examining the complex sources of concerns about displacement and opposition to investment in low-income neighborhoods.
'Extremely Blighted' Designation Spurs Investment in Nebraska Cities
Neighborhoods in Nebraska, located in areas already deemed blighted, will receive priority funding and homebuyer tax credits from the state.
New Opportunities for First Ring Suburbs
Cincinnati’s first ring suburbs have gone through a pattern of boom and bust, but civic boosters are focusing on the opportunities of the present day.
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
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
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.
The French Solution to Congested Tunnels: Make Them Car-Free
Bay Area transportation officials keep expanding car capacity. Lyon’s Croix Rousse Tunnel offers a different way.
Missouri Governor Reverses Anti-Discrimination Housing Policies
A new state law bars cities from prohibiting source-of-income discrimination against tenants using Section 8 housing vouchers.
USDOT Launches Unfunded 'SAFE ROADS' Program
The program targets “distractions” and “political messages or artwork,” and paves the way for autonomous vehicles.
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.
City of Fort Worth
planning NEXT
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie