Chris Zimmerman, Smart Growth America’s Vice President for Economic Development, and Director of the Governors’ Institute on Community Design, was the speaker at the Aug. 4 Franklin Tomorrow Breakfast With the Mayors, presented by Pinnacle Financial Partners. The Williamson County Association of Realtors provided special support to this quarter’s event.
Franklin Mayor Ken Moore, Franklin Tomorrow Executive Director Mindy Tate, speaker Chris Zimmerman of Smart Growth America, Williamson County Association of Realtors Executive Vice President Marti Veto, WCAR Board President Chip Kerr, Williamson County Mayor Kathie Moore, and Franklin Tomorrow Board President Kathie Moore. (Photo by Deborah Varallo)
From the Williamson Herald:
Much of Zimmerman’s work focuses on the economic and fiscal impact of development policies on localities and regions. During his speech, Zimmerman said, “You can’t just build yourself out of congestion. How we shape the built environment, how we assemble our communities, how we decide where things go has a profound effect on the economy of the localities in our regions.” (Williamson Herald)
Zimmerman went on to describe how growing and prosperous economies ride the transportation needs of the driving generation, which in turn is actually driving less.
“Millennials want transportation choices,” he said, adding that the generation, which essentially entails those born from 1980 on, are transitioning away from the once popular traditional suburban neighborhoods. To read more of the Herald’s report, follow this link.
Franklin Home Page also had a report, titled: “Smart Growth America encourages better mobility for Franklin’s future.”
Prior to joining Smart Growth America, for two decades Chris was heavily involved in planning, development, and transportation policy in Arlington County, Va., and the greater Washington, D.C., region. This included work as a neighborhood and civic leader, as a planning commissioner, 18 years as a member of the Arlington County Board, and 13 years on the Board of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, as well as other regional transportation agencies.
Prior to his service as an elected official, Mr. Zimmerman was Chief Economist at the National Conference of State Legislatures. He holds a Master of Arts in Economics from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Economics from The American University.
Additional sponsors for Breakfast With the Mayors series include Williamson Medical Center, Tennessee Equine Hospital, Greater Nashville Association of Realtors, Nashville Business Journal, Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant, and Royal Cup Coffee.
The next Breakfast With the Mayors will be Tuesday, Nov. 3.
See Zimmerman’s presentation by clicking the link below.