Exploring the intersection of local economic development and environmental policy

Local economic development and environmental policy are two areas that are undeniably linked. While a great deal of research highlights the need to marry these two concepts in practice, much remains unknown about what cities are doing at that intersection. This article uses two recent International City/ County Management Association (ICMA) surveys to explore the patterns that exist between local economic development policy and local environmental protection policy. The findings here suggest that localities have begun to make the connection between sustainability and economic development. However, the connection is constrained by economic context, level of economic competition, and whether a sustainability policy offers co-benefit potential.