5 factors shaping the most prosperous US cities

Population renewal, climate resilience, social cohesion, technology readiness and long-term governance are critical to a region’s success, according to the Geography of Prosperity Index.

By Stephanie Kanowitz • Nov. 4, 2026

FEMA commits $1.3B to disaster recovery, resilience

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is offering $400 million to reduce flooding and awarded nearly $900 million in recovery and mitigation grants as it shifts responsibility to local governments.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Nov. 2, 2026

How the 2028 Olympics is shaping downtown revitalization — in St. Louis

The city is making the urban core a priority, betting on office-to-residential conversions, innovation zones and private-sector partnerships to tackle vacancies and blight and improve public safety.

By Vicky Uhland • Oct. 30, 2026

With concerns about federal election interference, cities and counties prepare to protect their authority

Local officials are training poll workers, coordinating with civil rights groups and preparing legal strategies as concerns extend beyond Election Day to ballot counting and certification.

By Stephanie Kanowitz • Oct. 30, 2026

Data centers on more than 3 dozen local ballots

Local ballot measures across 10 states will test support for restricting development, and the results could shape local authority and state policy in 2027.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Oct. 29, 2026

2030 census proposal could put city funding, planning at risk: NLC

The Census Bureau’s residency criteria and data-collection changes could hurt university communities, fast-growing cities and places with seasonal residents, the National League of Cities says.

By Stephanie Kanowitz • Oct. 28, 2026

Voters approve $27.4B in local ballot measures to fund public transit

“Voters across the country are choosing public transit,” the American Public Transportation Association CEO said, citing an 85% win rate including earlier measures.

By Dan Zukowski • Updated 14 hours ago

North Carolina passenger rail line to get $550M from US DOT

The project will relieve train congestion and allow North Carolina and Virginia to schedule more frequent passenger trains, according to the North Carolina transportation department.

By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 16, 2026

These cities rely less on property taxes to fund city services

Smaller cities should emulate larger cities’ more diversified approach to design fairer tax systems, the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy says.

By Vicky Uhland • Oct. 14, 2026

3 transit leaders explain how they fund major projects

Chicago, New York and Seattle transit leaders outlined their solutions to revenue shortfalls, legal challenges and inflationary pressures at an American Public Transportation Association conference.

By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 13, 2026

FEMA violating court order on $1B in public safety grants, states’ lawsuit says

The states are seeking enforcement of a permanent injunction that bars the agency from conditioning emergency management and counterterrorism funds on federal immigration cooperation.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Oct. 12, 2026

Put communities before political parties

Elected officials must be willing to acknowledge and confront entrenched interests, political party pressure and cumbersome rules if they want to deliver on their promises.

By Ebonni Chrispin • Oct. 8, 2026

County, state financial leaders call for more federal housing support

“We know our communities, and we're ready to build. We just need a federal partner willing to build with us,” Coconino County, Arizona, Treasurer Sarah Benatar said.  

By Ryan Kushner • Oct. 8, 2026

What the Senate permitting bill means for local infrastructure projects

The bipartisan proposal would streamline reviews and permitting and require data centers to pay for their share of transmission costs. Here's what local government associations think of it.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Oct. 8, 2026

More diverse housing types could result from new laws in California

From cheaper ADUs to streamlined “missing middle” housing to high-rises in transit-rich cities, the state adopted a slew of housing reforms.

By Ryan Kushner • Oct. 7, 2026

Plan now for 2027’s top smart city conferences and events

Technology, transportation, housing, climate, finance and more are on the agenda for local government leaders at these upcoming gatherings.

By Smart Cities Dive Staff • Oct. 6, 2026

The $2 trillion growth opportunity hiding in small cities

“Micropolitan” communities must build the infrastructure, workforce and partnerships to attract venture capital, according to a report from McKinsey and Heartland Forward.

By Stephanie Kanowitz • Oct. 6, 2026

Effort to streamline housing environmental review standards, regulations kicks off at HUD, USDA

The agencies signed an MOU to advance deregulatory measures for rural housing outlined in the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.

By Ryan Kushner • Oct. 5, 2026

Affordable housing ‘fast track’ plan targets low-production NYC neighborhoods

Twelve districts contributed just 1.1% of the city’s new affordable housing in the past five years, the city says. 

By Ryan Kushner • Oct. 2, 2026

$467M affordable housing funding round gets LA City Council sign-off

The record-breaking amount, which comes from sales taxes on high-value homes, will be used to build and preserve affordable housing.

By Ryan Kushner • Oct. 1, 2026

NYC pied-à-terre tax rollout must start again, judge rules

The Staten Island judge voided the city’s 17,000 mailed notices to homeowners. The city is expected to challenge the decision, Politico reported.

By Ryan Kushner • Sept. 30, 2026

Court blocks FEMA from tying public safety grants to election policies

The ruling clears the way for more than $200 million in funding for SWAT teams, bomb squads and other local preparedness efforts.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Sept. 30, 2026

Steep cuts to federal transit funding take effect Thursday

Smaller communities and rural towns are "especially vulnerable” to the public transit and passenger rail cuts, according to the American Public Transportation Association.

By Dan Zukowski • Sept. 29, 2026

State AGs push Congress for AI safety, transparency

Their proposal would pause AI research until the creation of a federal department that would regulate the technology.

By Jim Tyson • Sept. 28, 2026

Opportunity zones were meant to spur investment. Their impact is unclear, a GAO report shows.

Revamped rules have reduced the number of low-income areas receiving the tax credits, the congressional watchdog found, and investment tends to flow to cities where development is already underway.

By Vicky Uhland • Sept. 28, 2026