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June 2005...
JUSC Latest Host of National Conference on the Small City
The Joint Urban Studies Center (JUSC) proposal to host the 16th National Conference on the Small City was accepted by The Center for the Small City, Stevens-Point Wisconsin; and officially awarded to JUSC on May 1, 2005. This is the first time the event will be held on the east coast.
The conference draws from many different constituencies -- elected government officials, government employees, non-profit organizations, chambers of commerce, economic development groups, and members of the academic community -- that have a stake in the success of small cities. The conference will offer workshops, panel discussions, and scholarly papers on a variety of topics. All of which are designed to raise questions and offer solutions to the problems that face small cities, particularly those that relate to revitalization and sustainability.
Thomas Baldino, PhD. JUSC’s Chairman of its Academic Advisory Council stated that, “JUSC will focus the conference on “Downtown Development.” The event will be held in September or October 2006. Final dates and venues for the event have yet to be finalized, but due to the conference theme, it is likely that JUSC will host the event in downtown Wilkes-Barre, with side trips to other downtowns in northeastern Pennsylvania.”
"The Center for the Small City and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is very pleased that the Joint Urban Studies Center will be hosting the 16th Conference on the
Small City and Regional Community. Northeastern Pennsylvania will provide an ideal venue for this national conference and the "Downtown Development" theme should
attract a wide audience. We are confident the Joint Urban Studies Center will put together a first-rate meeting, said Center for the Small City co-director Bob Wolensky"
With the venue in northeastern Pennsylvania, this is the first time the conference has been held on the east coast. In recent years the conference took place in Wisconsin, Kentucky, Michigan, and Illinois. Each conference has a theme in addition to panels on a wide range of issues important to small cities.
The two day long event expects to draw people from all over the United States. In addition to the theme of downtown development, there will be a wide range of issues important to small cities presented. Teri Ooms, JUSC Executive Director said, “JUSC expects that speakers and panelists will represent different stakeholder groups and some will have national reputations in their fields.”
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