The National Center for Smart Growth has played a major role in the establishment of several University of Maryland programs. Learn more about these programs through the links below.
Purple Line Corridor Coalition
The Purple Line Corridor Coalition (PLCC), is a partnership of regional stakeholders across Montgomery County and Prince George's County working to ensure that investments in the MTA's planned light rail, the Purple Line, will offer the maximum economic, social, and environmental opportunities to the residents and businesses along the corridor. Formed in 2013 by the NCSG, the PLCC seeks to identify methods for preservation and economic growth, revitalizing and stabilizing neighborhoods, preserving community assets, supporting small businesses, connecting workers to jobs and creating healthy and vibrant communities. Learn more...
Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability
The Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS) is a campus-wide initiative that harnesses the expertise of UMD faculty and the energy and ingenuity of UMD students to help Maryland communities become more environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable. Administered by the NCSG, PALS is designed to provide innovative, low-cost assistance to local governments while creating real-world problem-solving experiences for University of Maryland graduate and undergraduate students. Learn more...
Small Business Anti-Displacement Network
The Small Business Anti-Displacement Network (SBAN) is a project of the University of Maryland's National Center for Smart Growth Education & Research (NCSG), funded by JP Morgan & Chase's Small Business Forward Program. This project seeks to leverage NCSG's experience leading multi-year, multi-phased collective impact initiatives to bring together small business leaders, including small business owners, community-based organizations, technical assistance providers, policymakers, scholars, and government agencies, to create a community of practice around the issue of small business displacement in gentrifying neighborhoods. Learn more...