How Your City Can Ensure It Can Afford Its Infrastructure

Understanding the real costs and long-term liabilities of our infrastructure is essential for the long-term prosperity of our places. Unfortunately, this detail is often overlooked in our decision-making process.

Edward Erfurt, Top StoryEdward Erfurt and Lindsey BeckworthApril 19, 2024maintenance, resource trap, community action lab, Community Action Lab, minnesota, main street 2 Comments

Aspiration Projects Are Great...Until the Shine Wears Off

New facilities aren’t bad, but they do present a problem when we can’t afford to maintain them after they’re built.

Edward Erfurt, Top StoryEdward Erfurt and Lindsey BeckworthMarch 22, 2024maintenance, infrastructure maintenance, Parks and Recreation, budget, community action lab, Community Action Lab 1 Comment

How To Ensure the Projects Your City Says “Yes” to Set It Up for Long-Term Prosperity

“Is this a good project, or will it set up my city for financial insolvency??” Here’s how to find out.

Edward Erfurt, Top StoryEdward Erfurt and Lindsey BeckworthFebruary 9, 2024transparent local accounting, financial solvency, cities, municipal finance, community action lab Be the First to Comment

Citizen Development = Higher Value Per Acre

Conventional thought would tell us that the new commercial developments in a city should be the most productive compared to the older buildings downtown, but that’s not necessarily the case.