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Smart Growth Speaker Series
The Smart Growth Speaker Series is sponsored by the U.S. EPA, the National Building Museum and the Smart Growth Network. The speaker series is recognized as a leading public forum on development issues. The purpose of the series is to present a variety of approaches and tools for encouraging development that serves the economy, community and environment. It explores transportation choices, best development practices, energy and resource efficiency, architecture and design, local activism, regional approaches, land use, environmental impacts, industrial development (e.g., eco-industrial parks) as well as other topics related to smarter growth.
The Speaker Series is held once each month at the National Building Museum, 401 F Street N.W, Washington D.C. (Judiciary Square Metro). Attendance is always free, but registration is now required for Smart Growth Speaker programs. Registration is for event planning purposes only and does not guarantee a seat. Online registration for National Building Museum programs closes one day before the scheduled date. Walk-in registration is available beginning one hour prior to each program and is based on availability. Register for the event through the Calendar at www.nbm.org. 
To get regular announcements about the Smart Growth Speaker Series, please e-mail your name, organization, address, phone, and e-mail address to Deloris Wingo-Huntley (wingo-huntley.deloris@epa.gov).
Upcoming Lectures
Please also check the National Building Museum's Calendar of Events: Lectures & Symposia for upcoming events.
Audio recordings of many of the Smart Growth Speaker Series lectures are available at on the Smart Growth Online Web site .
Through a partnership among EPA, the National Building Museum, and Public Radio International's "Living on Earth," many of the Smart Growth Speakers can now be heard on your favorite local public radio station. Check your local radio schedule for program times, or listen online at www.loe.org .
January 25, 2010
Monday, 12:30-1:30pm
The Business Side of Smart Growth: Local Assets, Local Approaches
Smart growth and sustainable communities are most successful when they respond to the needs of their residents. Small businesses are frequently nimble and creative responders to those needs. They are often the first indicators of changing market tastes, and can lead the way towards more green, sustainable market options. Their entry into a redeveloping community can signal new private investment, and catalyze greater and continued development. In many cases, they become fixtures of the community that both attract residents and businesses, and help to identify and galvanize community character.
Dale Roberts, owner of The Java Shack coffeehouse in Arlington, VA, will discuss the role of small businesses like his in creating successful, vibrant communities which cater to and support a range of transportation alternatives. Dale is a community and business leader, and has been featured in the Washington Post (and other media) for his green, sustainable approach to business. Dale has partnered with other small/locally-owned businesses to help create a true urban village where people are able to live, work, shop and dine in their neighborhood. His approach to creating a successful, locally-owned, neighborhood anchor begins – but does not end – with location.