Nearly half of consumers now report that they look for local business information using the Internet, more than any other source.
Although it's no surprise that the Internet is growing in importance, for this first time the Pew Research Center reports this as the the source that half of consumers who search for local business information rely on for material about the local business information.
Of those that searched for local business information, 47% say they rely most on the Internet, including Search engines (36%); Specialty websites (16%), and only 1% rely on social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook. By comparison, 30% of consumers rely most on newspaper, 22% on word of mouth, and 13% on local media (radio and television).
Thanks to William Devry
FULL STORY: Report: Where people get information about restaurants and other local businesses

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.

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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service