The United States Conference of Mayor's annual meeting is preparing to wrap up this year's gathering in Baltimore. The 79th annual conference began June 17 and runs through June 21. Issues covered at the five-day discussion include: learning how to save your city money, create jobs, and promote sustainable development and environmental policies from mayoral colleagues, national experts, and private-sector leaders. Durham Mayor Bill Bell is among the honorable city leaders in attendance.


Durham Mayor Bill Bell says the number one issue discussed was creating jobs. "The need for infastructure development to provide the type of environment for business to grow, and at the same time providing jobs for people to create the infastructure."

Jobs were clearly front and center on the agenda of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Durham Mayor Bell says others are looking to Durham as an example of how to use the arts as an economic generator.

"I had a long conversation with the mayor of Salt Lake City, Utah.  [Ralph Becker] and I have known each other for the past couple of years, and one of the things they are trying to do is pull together a performing arts center. And they are looking at the model we used, here in Durham, to try and make that happen."

Along with jobs, technology and the environment are on the agenda for the nation's mayors. Mayor Bill Bell says cities are a vital part of the nation's economy.

"I am a strong believer that if you have strong neighborhoods, you have a strong city. Equal priotiy in terms of development. And we found some of the same things while running through this conference with other cities, and other mayors."

The conference also included workshops on issues such as using cleaner fuels for government vehicles, and how to creating vibrant cities for aging Americans.

Durham Mayor Bill Bell is one of over 160 mayoral representatives at this year's convention. Other North Carolina mayors who attended the conference include: Chapel Hill Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt, Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx, Concord Mayor Scott Padgett, and Gastonia Mayor Jennifer Stultz.