This collection of 12 case studies puts to rest the idea that livability is an exclusively “urban” idea — small cities, towns and rural regions across the country are transforming themselves into more livable communities. Meridian revitalized its downtown and became a transit hub for rural Mississippi and the southern U.S., improving quality of life for residents and visitors.

In the midst of discouraging news from hundreds of transit agencies across the country facing difficult choices in the midst of budget crises (see our map), we bring some encouraging news from Mississippi, and an update to a story we’ve covered previously in this guest post.

Policy may get made here in Washington, but transportation, mobility and safety are truly local issues. The kinds of transportation investments that we’re pushing for aren’t luxuries — they’re essential necessities that help Americans get where they need to go, safely and affordably. It’s high time that we made sure we invested in a transportation system that is safe and accessible for everyone. So why is access to transportation choices and safe, complete streets so important?

Mayor John Robert Smith of Meridian, Mississippi helped Transportation For America officially launch our full platform last week. Mayor Smith provided a stirring keynote address, evoking Eisenhower’s vision of a connected America, while urging us to build the second half of our national system.

Dr. Scott Crawford from Jackson, MS responded to the call for supporter photos, and he shares this story with photos showing the sorry state of the cash-strapped transit system in Jackson, with curbs with no ramps or cuts, inadequate shelters, no crosswalks, buses without functioning chair lifts, and wholly incomplete streets. Read his story and send us the view from your own town.