Eco-Friendly Benefits of UEZ
The Trenton UEZ not only provides many opportunities for you to save your green through its economic incentives, you can “be green” and help the environment by being a part of the program too! From shopping local to encouraging smart growth, many aspects of the UEZ are eco-responsible and promote sustainability. Here’s how:
The UEZ Supports Smart Growth: Most economists, planners, and government officials agree that current development patterns dominated by “sprawl” are no longer in the long-term interest of our cities, existing suburbs, small towns, rural communities or wilderness areas. Spurring economic development towards existing communities already served by infrastructure and utilizing resources that existing neighborhoods have to offer like the Trenton UEZ does, not only conserves open space and irreplaceable natural resources on the urban fringe, it is also more cost-effective and improves the quality of life for city, suburban and rural residents.
By drawing businesses and people back into the Trenton, the UEZ at its very core supports Smart Growth. Through its incentives, the program encourages development back in Trenton, which can reduce development pressure in the surrounding communities and thereby preserve more open space. Development in Trenton increases efficiency of already developed land and infrastructure and can result in a stronger tax base for the city and closer proximity of a range of jobs and services for residents. By being part of the UEZ, you encourage this efficient and resourceful development pattern.
The UEZ Encourages People to Shop Locally: Choosing greener alternatives is important for sustainability, but where you shop in many cases is the most important factor. Shopping locally is important for environmental sustainability, as well as economic sustainability. The Trenton UEZ encourages Mercer County residents to “shop local” through its tax incentives.
When you shop locally, you support members of your own community who are also vested in the heath and success of the area. Shopping locally also requires less travel and fewer things to be shipped meaning less carbon, pollution and traffic congestion. Shopping in the UEZ is a win-win for all. It supports community businesses, which is good for the local economy and results in less of an impact on the environment.
The UEZ Reduces Your Carbon Footprint: Businesses located in the Trenton UEZ require comparatively less infrastructure and more efficiently utilize public services relative to chain stores. Expanding and promoting these businesses provide public benefits that far outweigh public costs. Redevelopment creates a centralized variety of businesses that is much friendlier to a community’s walking score than out of town shopping malls. This generally means less sprawl, congestion, pollution—a reduced carbon footprint.
