Las Cruces, New Mexico, is one of four communities nationwide that will receive technical assistance on growth and development-related issues through EPA's Smart Growth Implementation Program. The four communities, chosen from among more than 100 applicants, will also receive help from the U.S. Departments of Transportation (DOT) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Obama administration's new Interagency Partnership for Sustainable Communities.

EPA selected local projects in Kentucky, Maryland, New Mexico, and a statewide program in California from among more than 100 applicants to receive technical assistance in 2009. EPA will coordinate its direct assistance to communities with its counterparts from HUD and DOT on issues that relate to housing and transportation.

In Las Cruces, assistance will focus on ways to reinvest in and reinvigorate a struggling, the El Paseo commercial corridor, without causing gentrification and displacement of existing residents and businesses. The city wants to stimulate reinvestment in the area but wants to make sure that redevelopment preserves businesses that serve the community, protects the current residents from displacement, and creates new affordable housing and transportation options.

INFO: Contact EPA's Dave Ryan at 202-564-7827.