THE NEWCITY MOSCOW KICKOFF and the

N E W S R E L E A S E

THE NEW= CITY MOSCOW KICKOFF an= d the

REDEDIC= ATION OF FRIENDSHIP SQUARE

What’s So Great About Moscow= ? You Tell Us!

Some cities plunge into crisis and find themselves in a desperate scramble for s= olutions. But Moscow, Idaho, didn't wait for crisis to take positive action. Joining th= e New City America Project in conjunction with the NewCities= Foundation, Moscow city government seeks to get input from its citizens on = how best to adapt to the rapid change and global market challenges of 21^st= century life—while retaining the best of its traditions and aesthetic sensibilities.

WHAT: = &nb= sp; THE NEWCITY MOSCOW KICKOFF

WHEN: = THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 22 &n= bsp; 5:30 to 7:30 PM

WHERE: = &nb= sp; = FRIENDSHIP SQUARE

WHY: = LEARN ABOUT THE NEWCITY MOSCOW PROJECT

= &nb= sp; THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO GET INVOLVED=

= &nb= sp; Free Food...Great Music…Fun f= or the Children

“We want this to be a special evening for all of Moscow,” said Moscow Mayor Marsha= ll Comstock. “This is an opportunity for all of us to gather together as= a community and celebrate our special town and begin a vision for our future.= ”

Steve Austin, senior policy advisor for N= ewCities, noted that this project, the first of its kind in the nation, is designed to encourage citizen involvement by joining together to plot the city’s future.

“City leaders understand that everyone is served better = when the people are encouraged to lead themselves by sharing innovative ideas and participating directly in local initiatives,” = Austin said.“That’s why = Moscow shuns haphazard growth and aims = instead to become an ’intentional city’ with involved citizenry.”=

NewCities staff members visited Moscow in ea= rly February at the invitation of the mayor and city council to introduce the f= oundation’s concept and outline the approach that a project in Mo= scow would take.The city chose to hire NewCities because of its emphasis on being facilitators as the people of Moscow share their vision for the futur= e.

While hired by the city, the foundation’s work is driven by input from citi= zens in the community. In order to understand Moscow<= /st1:City> from past to present, NewCities staff met with = 11 organizations and their leaders that provided a cross-section of the commun= ity.

Community groups and leaders included the school superintendent, economic development leaders, environmental organizations, the University of Idaho= , faith-based leaders, realtors, Chamber of Commerce leaders, county commissioners, the Civic Engagement Association, the Urban Renewal Agency, = and city boards and commissions.

“The real work is yet to come,” Austin said. “In October, we will have a listening session for people so they can each share what they would like for Moscow’s future. We’ll even have citizens draw and describe what those dreams = are through an interactive community charrette. Thi= s is everyone’s chance to be heard.”

“The NewCities Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping communities ob= tain or retain economic and social wealth with innovation, inspiration and partnership opportunities. Many American cities are in crisis – the <= span class=3DSpellE>NewCities Foundation is about saving them, while part= nering with thriving cities to keep them vibrant.”

For additional information about the= NewCities Foundation, visit www.newcities.org.

FOR MORE INFORMATION- (859) 977-3700 or 1-888-352-0922 Communications