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SU M ! Y North Carolina , the sixth-fastest growing state in the nation, has experi- enced a population and economic boom in recent years . While for the past half- century, growth and progress have been witnessed in terms of new suburban development, bigger roads , office parks and strip malls among the asphalt , it has become apparent that this type of growth is ulti- mately damaging not only to the environment, but also to the economy and the quality of life of all North Carolinians . Sprawl has affected the state in many ways over the last decade . These include increased commute times and air pollution , the loss of open space and the deterioration of our special sense of place . The costs are quantifiable . Governments have long operated under the assumption that increased development will expand the tax base enough to support the additional services required . However, it costs on average $ 1 . 15 to $ 1 . 50 for every dollar spent by local governments to provide needed services such as schools and roads to new subdivisions (September 27 , 1999 memo from Raymond Boutwell of Wake County's Budget and Management Services) . North Carolina simply cannot afford the steep and unnecessary costs of such haphazard growth . T I 1-11 GOOD 11J E ITIT E There are many communities that are working to create more beneficial and convenient development across the state . They are directing new growth to long- empty downtown cores where infrastructure is already in place to support it and costs are lower. Others are working to provide alternative modes of travel that will ease congestion on the highways . New smart growth neighborhoods are springing up and older ones are being restored as the demand grows for a better way to live . Farms are being preserved and farmers are able to make a profit without selling their land. None of these communities have taken an anti- growth stance . They are working to promote healthy, profitable growth that provides citizens with more choices in how they work and live . This is how growth in almost all communities has occurred for hundreds of years , up to World War II and the spread of the automobile . Today, North Carolina communities are working to reverse the effects of a failed experiment that began almost 50 years ago . Success - in halting P pd sprawl .is not dependent upon the size or wealth of a community ; some of the most successful projects were dreamed up and carried out by every- day people with a minimum of investment . The key is a simple dedication to following through , and a respect for the wishes of the citizens . The examples herein demonstrate some of the best of our efforts .