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Oct 15, 2019

Digital Skills Needed

The rapid pace of technological change requires workers to have robust digital skills in the workplace. Partners Update summarizes a recent report on strategies to invest in worker training.

Sep 04, 2019

A Fresh Look at Opportunity Occupations

The Center for Workforce and Economic Opportunity has updated its Opportunity Occupations Monitor data tool, which tracks trends in opportunity employment across the country. Partners Update discusses the tool's new features.

Aug 20, 2019

Nonemployer Firms' Challenges

The latest Federal Reserve Small Business Credit Survey probes the experiences of firms with no full- or part-time employees. Despite being a key income source for their owners, these firms face acute profitability and financing challenges, says Partners Update.

Jul 24, 2019

Raphael Bostic Publishes Housing Research

The Atlanta Fed president has coauthored a paper that examines Low-Income Housing Tax Credit housing in Chicago and the potential to create inclusive communities. This Partners Update article summarizes the paper's findings.

Jun 25, 2019

Report Highlights Feedback on the CRA

The Federal Reserve Board has published a report that summarizes the stakeholder feedback it received from roundtable discussions on modernizing the Community Reinvestment Act. Read Partners Update for more details.

Jun 21, 2019

What Works at Scale? A Framework to Scale Up Workforce Development Programs

The author examines a sample of recent randomized controlled trials of workforce development programs and discusses how this body of evidence could inform policymakers about what works at scale.

Jun 21, 2019

Scaling Up Workforce Development Programs

Partners Update previews a discussion paper that provides workforce development policymakers with a two-step method to incorporate evidence-based programs at scale.

Apr 24, 2019

Event: Financial Innovations Roundtable: Aligning Capital, Training, and Economic Mobility

This roundtable included an interactive set of discussions on improving the flow and effectiveness of capital in workforce development and training systems. Participants included thought leaders and innovators from across the workforce development and community development finance sectors as well as partners from philanthropy, banking, and business. The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta in partnership with the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, the Federal Reserve Banks of St. Louis and Richmond, and the Carsey School of Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire cohosted the event.

Apr 22, 2019

Apply for Community Advisory Council Membership

CAC members advise the Board on issues affecting consumers and communities, with a particular focus on the concerns of low- and moderate-income consumers and communities. Learn how to apply for membership in Partners Update.

Apr 16, 2019

Small Business Credit Survey Shows Business Growth

The 2019 report says a larger share of firms had annual revenue and employment growth, compared with previous years. Online lenders gained in popularity, with nearly one-third of firms applying to such lenders. Read Partners Update to learn more.

Dec 14, 2018

Wage Growth Tracker

Measure of the wage growth of individuals. It is constructed using microdata from the Current Population Survey (CPS), and is the median percent change in the hourly wage of individuals observed 12 months apart.

Nov 23, 2018

Strength in Numbers: The Growth and Evolution of CDFI Partnerships Adobe PDF file format

The publication documents eight community development financial institution (CDFI) partnership models and details the challenges CDFI partnerships face as the industry develops. The Federal Reserve Banks of Atlanta, Minneapolis, St. Louis, and Richmond collaborated on the publication.

Nov 23, 2018

Strength in Numbers: The Growth and Evolution of CDFI Partnerships

Community development financial institutions (CDFIs) provide affordable financial services to people and businesses in underserved communities. A recent Fed publication provides case studies on eight CDFI partnership models. Learn more in Partners Update.

Nov 21, 2018

Trading Places: Financing Experiences of Small Export Firms

Where do small businesses that sell goods and services globally go for financing? Partners Update explores the question using Federal Reserve Small Business Credit Survey data.

Nov 16, 2018

Credit Where Credit Is Due: Southeastern Small Businesses' Borrowing Patterns

U.S. small businesses are important economic drivers, employing nearly half of non-self-employed workers, and financing is crucial to many firms' success. Partners Update compares southeastern small firms' performance and borrowing patterns with firms across the country.

Nov 16, 2018

Event: Fair Housing: A Look Back and Forward at Racial Equity in Atlanta (and the Southeast)

The event recognized the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act, discussed its legacy, and explored solutions to racial equity challenges that persist. The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta's Community and Economic Development group, Georgia ACT, Georgia State University's Urban Studies Institute, National Fair Housing Alliance, Metro Fair Housing Services Inc., and Atlanta Legal Aid Society cohosted the event in Atlanta.

Nov 09, 2018

Event: Investing in America's Workforce Book Launch

Leaders from business, policy, foundation, nonprofit, education, and research sectors discussed themes from the book Investing in America's Workforce: Improving Outcomes for Workers and Employers. The Federal Reserve Banks of New York and Atlanta cohosted the event.

Oct 26, 2018

Small Business Owners: Make Your Voices Heard!

Take the Federal Reserve Banks' annual Small Business Credit Survey to provide timely insights on small business conditions to policymakers, service providers, and lenders. Link to the survey in Partners Update.

Oct 16, 2018

Economic Benefits of Local Food Systems

Tune in to the latest episode of the Access podcast to discover how local food systems can create economic opportunity and drive economic activity in rural communities. Partners Update provides further details.

Oct 09, 2018

Webinar Will Explore the Opioid Epidemic

Join experts from the Federal Reserve, ncIMPACT, and Public Health Dayton and Montgomery County as they discuss the opioid epidemic and its impact on the economy. Register for the session in Partners Update.

Sep 14, 2018

Mind the Gap: How Do Credit Market Experiences and Borrowing Patterns Differ for Minority-Owned Firms?

How do small business financing experiences vary by the race or ethnicity of a firm's ownership? A new discussion paper examines data on minority-owned small businesses’ borrowing patterns.

Aug 24, 2018

Call for Papers

The Federal Reserve seeks original research for its Community Development Research Conference, Renewing the Promise of the Middle Class. Get submission details in Partners Update.

Jul 24, 2018

Small Businesses' Perspectives on Online Lenders

The Fed Board and Cleveland Fed have released a report that examines how small business owners view online lending. Explore the findings in Partners Update.

Jul 19, 2018

Rental Housing Affordability in the Southeast: Data from the Sixth District

The authors analyze data on housing costs and supply by household income level. They demonstrate the widespread shortage of housing that is affordable for low-income renters in large metros, small towns, suburbs, and nonmetro areas throughout the Southeast.

Jul 17, 2018

Webinar Will Examine Opportunity Zones Tax Incentive

The new Opportunity Zones tax incentive is for investing in distressed communities. Register for the webinar in Partners Update to learn how the incentive may affect your community.

Jun 20, 2018

Access to Job Success

Tune in to the latest episode of the Access podcast, which discusses a holistic workforce development model that moves beyond traditional training programs. Partners Update provides further details.

Jun 19, 2018

Save the Date for Minority Bankers Forum

The third annual minority banker forum will discuss the economy and diversity/inclusion and offer attendees professional development opportunities. Learn more about the September forum in Partners Update.

Jun 12, 2018

Building a Skilled Workforce for a Stronger Southern EconomyOff-site link

The report examines the structural roots and policy decisions in the South that created the current skills gap, and it offers solutions to close that gap. The Atlanta Fed's Center for Workforce and Economic Opportunity, St. Louis Fed, and National Skills Coalition collaborated on the report.

May 29, 2018

Household Financial Well-Being Improves

The Fed Board has issued its annual report on households' economic outlook. It shows numerous signs of growth and improvement, but differences in well-being persist across race, ethnicity, education groups, and locations, says Partners Update.

May 23, 2018

2017 Small Business Survey Shows More Optimism

The Fed report on small firms with employees finds profitability, revenue growth, and employment growth improved over 2016. However, certain segments continue to face financing challenges, according to Partners Update.

May 14, 2018

Register for the Reinventing Our Communities Conference

Join other community development professionals at the 2018 event. You will learn strategies for investing in financial, human, physical, and social capital to create opportunities for communities. Register in Partners Update.

May 03, 2018

Federal Reserve Banks Launch the New Website "Fed Small Business"

Partners Update looks at a new Federal Reserve website targeting small businesses.

Apr 24, 2018

Apply for Community Advisory Council Membership

The Federal Reserve Board seeks individuals who want to serve on the Community Advisory Council. Learn more about the council in Partners Update.

Apr 12, 2018

Event: Growing Regional Food System Opportunity: Capital and Beyond

The event examined health, equity, and the economic impact of community food production. The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta's Community and Economic Development group, Hope Credit Union Enterprise Corporation, Self-Help Credit Union, and Food Well Alliance cohosted the event in Atlanta.

Mar 26, 2018

Webinar Will Probe Quality Jobs

The Kansas City Fed presents the third webinar in a series on high-quality jobs for lower-wage workers. The April 26 session will feature panelists' research perspectives on developing these jobs, says Partners Update.

Mar 22, 2018

How Do Firms Respond to Hiring Difficulties?

Two-thirds of firms polled in the Fed's 2017 Small Business Credit Survey have had trouble hiring over the past year. A new discussion paper investigates how firms use compensation, training, and job restructuring to respond.

Mar 02, 2018

Engaging Banks in Workforce Development

Participate in a two-part webinar series to learn how workforce development organizations and banks can partner to improve economic opportunity for workers. Register for the sessions in Partners Update.

Feb 14, 2018

Investments in Low-Income Communities

The recent tax bill created a new incentive for investing in distressed communities. Learn about the Opportunity Zone Program in Partners Update.

Dec 06, 2017

Bridging the Health-Community Development Divide

Community development and health professionals often work with the same residents in separate silos, but that is beginning to change. Partners Update previews a paper on emerging health-community development partnerships in the Southeast.

Dec 04, 2017

Can Community Development Improve Health? Emerging Opportunities for Collaboration between the Health and Community Development Sectors

Health and community development professionals are learning to collaborate to address the social determinants of health. The author investigates promising partnerships in the Southeast in this first of a two-part series.

Nov 08, 2017

Opportunity Occupations: Well-Paying Jobs for Middle-Skill Workers

What opportunities and decent-paying jobs exist for workers who don't have a college degree? This article gives an overview of recent Fed research on the topic.

Nov 06, 2017

Event: Advancing Health and Community Development Partnerships

The event explored how health and community development professionals are learning to collaborate. Participants represented a variety of sectors, including health care, public health, community development, housing, government, and research. The Build Healthy Places Network, the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, and the Georgia Health Policy Center cohosted the event, which was held in Atlanta during the national American Public Health Association Conference.

Oct 13, 2017

Tracking Informal Mortgages on Rental Properties

Partners Update analyzes real estate transaction data to understand trends in multifamily informal mortgages and the market conditions in which they are likely to occur.

Oct 04, 2017

Event: Investing in America's Workforce: Improving Outcomes for Workers and EmployersOff-site link

Learn how business, government, nonprofits, and others have reframed workforce development as investments in opportunity and competitiveness and attracted new and leveraged existing funding.

Sep 22, 2017

Event: How to Increase the Production of Mixed-Income Development

This event provided information from a recent Federal Reserve paper on reducing barriers to mixed-income housing development, engaged in a discussion on what strategies work best for the Nashville region and how to better align resources to meet local needs, and advanced the "Housing Nashville" report initiative. The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and the Nashville Mayor's Office hosted the event.

Aug 10, 2017

Event: CDFI Forum: Bank Partnerships

The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency cohosted a forum in Orlando, Florida, to explore priorities, opportunities, strategies, regulatory issues, and other topics affecting community development financial institution loan funds in Florida. The Opportunity Finance Network and the CDFI Fund at U.S. Treasury were partners on the event.

Jul 11, 2017

A New Look at Economic Dynamism of Small Cities

Examine the economic trajectory of small and midsized cities with our updated index. Partners Update details new features and findings for practitioners who work in or with these cities.

Jul 06, 2017

Special Edition Podcast: Heirs' Property

When grandma dies without a will, property is passed on to her children, and then to each successive generation. Listen to experts discuss the complications of heirs property in a special edition episode of the Economy Matters podcast. podcast

Jun 22, 2017

An Eye on the Future: A Discussion about the Long-term Care Insurance Market

The Economy Matters podcast talks to Atlanta Fed economists about the long-term care insurance market. podcast

Jun 15, 2017

Event: Heirs' Property in the South: Fostering Stable Ownership to Prevent Land Loss and Abandonment

Heirs' property is formed when a landowner dies without a will or with a simple will that divides real estate assets equally among the descendants. The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and the U.S. Forest Service's Southern Research Station hosted a gathering on heirs' property research and outreach in the southern United States, bringing together researchers, policy professionals, and practitioners. The meeting focused on challenges, opportunities, and other timely topics affecting heirs' property.

Jun 14, 2017

Informal Homeownership Issues: Tracking Contract for Deed Sales in the Southeast

The authors investigate the extent of seller-financed installment contracts for homes in four southeastern cities and the risks and opportunities they may pose for buyers.

Jun 12, 2017

What Makes a Healthy Neighborhood?

Tune in to the season finale of the Access podcast to explore the intersection of health and economic development. Read Partners Update for more details.

Jun 07, 2017

Developing Inclusive Communities: Challenges and Opportunities for Mixed-Income Housing

The authors conducted interviews with housing stakeholders in Atlanta, Jacksonville, and Nashville for their ideas on increasing the production of mixed-income housing in an environment of declining federal funding.

Jun 02, 2017

Beige Book: Labor Market Tightness Reaching Entry-Level Jobs

Atlanta Fed business contacts have a mostly positive outlook on economic growth in the region. Economy Matters summarizes the part of the Beige Book reporting on economic conditions in the Southeast.

May 24, 2017

The Wherefores and Whys of Wages

After an extended period of relative stagnation, wages have been showing signs of growth. This episode of the Economy Matters podcast discusses recent wage trends and how the Atlanta Fed views wage behavior. podcast

Apr 28, 2017

Register for Policy Summit on Housing, Human Capital, and Inequality

The Cleveland Fed's 2017 summit looks at transforming regional economies. Register for the June 22-23 event in Partners Update.

Apr 28, 2017

Webinar on Preserving Affordable Rural Rental Housing

Financing affordable housing is a growing challenge in the Southeast. Partners Update discusses the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program that supports construction and rehab of affordable housing.

Apr 25, 2017

Financing Affordable Housing with the LIHTC

Financing affordable housing is a growing challenge in the Southeast. Partners Update discusses the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program that supports construction and rehab of affordable housing.

Apr 19, 2017

Beige Book Finds Optimism, Ongoing Hiring Challenges

Economy Matters article offers highlights of the Atlanta Fed’s portion of the Beige Book.

Apr 13, 2017

Identifying Opportunity Occupations in the Southeast Adobe PDF file format

The brochure examines the types and share of opportunity occupations—jobs for middle-skill workers that pay at or above the national median wage—in all Sixth District states. It also depicts returns to education across the Southeast.

Apr 13, 2017

Where Will Opportunity Knock? A Discussion of Opportunity Occupations

In an era when education's importance in the employment sector has steadily increased, what role do well-paying jobs that don't require a college degree play? An episode of the Economy Matters podcast talks to some Atlanta Fed experts. podcast

Apr 11, 2017

Labor Market Distributions Spider Chart

The Labor Market Distributions Spider Chart is designed to allow monitoring of broad labor market developments by comparing current conditions to those in up to two earlier time periods that the user selects.

Mar 23, 2017

Event: Strong Foundations: The Economic Futures of Kids and CommunitiesOff-site link

Does early child development plus education equal a stronger economy? The Federal Reserve System's 10th Biennial Community Development Research Conference spotlighted high-quality, emerging research on this and other questions, with featured speakers including Fed Chair Janet Yellen and Geoffrey Canada of the Harlem Children's Zone.

Mar 14, 2017

Event: Catalyzing Efforts to Improve the Health and Well-Being of All Georgians

The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and Georgia State University Health Policy Center cohosted a meeting on the social determinants of health in Georgia and concrete, actionable steps to address them. The meeting brought together a cross-sectoral group of leaders representing health care, community development, government, academia, and philanthropy.

Mar 01, 2017

Beige Book Reports Growing Workforce Development Efforts

Some southeastern business contacts are facing challenges finding qualified workers. Read Beige Book highlights in Economy Matters.

Feb 16, 2017

Housing Instability: Single-Family Evictions in One Atlanta Metro County

A recent discussion paper examines housing instability and the rise of institutional investors in Fulton County's single-family rental housing. Partners Update discusses the findings and implications for communities and families.

Feb 14, 2017

An Introduction to CRA YouTubeOff-site link

The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) encourages banks to help meet the credit needs of the communities they are chartered to serve, including the low- and moderate-income neighborhoods in those areas. This video explores the CRA's provisions and how regulators evaluate a bank's CRA performance.

Feb 14, 2017

Economic Mobility: Research & Ideas on Strengthening Families, Communities & the EconomyOff-site link

This Board of Governors and Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis publication includes selected papers that were presented at the ninth biennial Federal Reserve System's Community Development Research Conference. The essays explore a range of issues and concepts central to understanding how—and how well—people are able to move economically.

Feb 07, 2017

eBook: Developing Career-Based Training

This eBook examines various approaches to establishing technical and career-based training and the importance of building out the skills needed for the workforce in today's increasingly complex and rapidly changing global economy.

Feb 06, 2017

Exploring Atlanta's Community Development Landscape with Governor Lael Brainard

Fed Governor Brainard visited Atlanta neighborhoods with community and economic development and supervision and regulation team members. They met with community members and organizations to discuss local efforts, reports Partners Update.

Jan 27, 2017

Small Bank and Intermediate Small Bank CRA Examination YouTubeOff-site link

This video explains how small banks and intermediate small banks are examined under the Community Reinvestment Act.

Jan 25, 2017

Uneven Opportunity: Exploring Employers' Educational Preferences for Middle-Skills Jobs Adobe PDF file format

The Federal Reserve Banks of Atlanta and Philadelphia investigate the factors that contribute to employer requirements of a bachelor's degree for four key opportunity occupations.

Jan 25, 2017

Uneven Opportunity: Variation in Employers' Educational Preferences for Middle-Skills Jobs

New Philadelphia and Atlanta Fed research explores why employer preferences for bachelor's degrees for the most prevalent opportunity occupations differ significantly between metro areas. Partners Update summarizes the findings.

Jan 01, 2017

Fed CommunitiesOff-site link

An online portal provides hundreds of community development resources from all 12 Federal Reserve Banks and the Board of Governors.

Dec 21, 2016

Corporate Landlords, Institutional Investors, and Displacement: Eviction Rates in Single-Family Rentals

Institutional investors purchased thousands of homes across the country to rent them after the real estate and financial crisis. The authors examine how the rise of the large corporate landlord in the single-family rental market affected housing stability in Atlanta.

Nov 28, 2016

Exploring Economic Trends in the Southeast

U.S. household incomes are climbing, but have southeastern states kept up with the national trend? This Partners Update article probes recent census data on household incomes to find out.

Oct 27, 2016

Following the Money: A Discussion of Community Development

Philanthropic grants have become an increasingly important source of revenue for many U.S. communities. A new episode of the Economy Matters podcast looks at a new Atlanta Fed tool to track where these grants go and the trends they depict. podcast

Oct 06, 2016

Minding the Gaps: Household Financial Stability in the Southeast

This Partners Update article uses data from the 2015 Survey of Household Economics and Decisionmaking to examine the financial well-being of households in the Southeast after the Great Recession.

Sep 06, 2016

Following the Money

Foundation grants are an important source of funding in the CED field, but are small and economically distressed metro areas at a disadvantage? To find out, the Atlanta and Philadelphia Feds coauthored a paper and developed an interactive data tool to analyze grant funding across hundreds of U.S. cities.

Aug 29, 2016

Event: CDFI Banks in the Southeast: Embracing Opportunities and Addressing Challenges

The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta hosted a forum in Jackson, Mississippi, to explore priorities, opportunities, strategies, regulatory issues, and other timely topics affecting community development financial institution (CDFI) banks in the Southeast.

Aug 24, 2016

Concentrated Poverty in the Southeast: A Tale of Two Regions

How have patterns of concentrated poverty changed in the Southeast since the Great Recession? Partners Update previews a student paper on the topic.

Aug 24, 2016

Exploring Concentrated Poverty in the Southeast

Concentrated poverty—the proportion of the poor living in high-poverty neighborhoods—is a serious problem. A recent Community and Economic Development student paper found U.S. concentrated poverty increased significantly since the year 2000. The author examines whether concentrated poverty in the Southeast has followed a similar trajectory.

Jul 26, 2016

Event: Promoting Access and Inclusion in ABLE Programs: New Opportunities for Savings, Financial Inclusion, and Economic Security for Individuals with Disabilities and Their Families

The Federal Reserve Banks of Atlanta and St. Louis, the National Disability Institute and the ABLE National Resource Center, and Washington University’s Center for Social Development hosted a forum in Atlanta to bring together a select group of leaders in the financial, disability, and 529 savings communities.

Jul 22, 2016

The Quest for Durable and Inclusive Economic Growth

Data show a persistent widening of income inequality in this country. How can communities establish economic growth that is both strong and inclusive? Partners Update looks at a South Florida effort to improve prosperity for all and create a more resilient local economy.

Jul 05, 2016

Research Symposium on Gentrification and Neighborhood Change

The Philadelphia Fed event looked at the causes and consequences of gentrification and approaches to moving toward equitable development. This Partners Update article summarizes the symposium's research and discussions.

Jun 23, 2016

The Big Dynamism of (Some) Small Metros

The Southeast's big cities are known around the world, but the region is home to far more small metropolitan areas, each with its own economic characteristics and demographic identity. The newest Economy Matters podcast discusses an Atlanta Fed tool that allows a convenient look at the economies of these cities.

Jun 09, 2016

The Small Cities Study Tour: Cedar Rapids' Economic Recovery

How can a small city that suffers a natural disaster recover economically? The small cities study tour stops in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to find out how the city rebounded after a 2008 flood in the second Partners Update article in a series.

May 12, 2016

The Developing State of Workforce Development

An evolving economy demands workers with evolving skill sets, and training employees to meet new employment demands is an ongoing challenge. The episode discusses trends in workforce development in the Southeast as well as nationally.

May 10, 2016

Declines in Low-Cost Rented Housing Units in Eight Large Southeastern Cities

Renters in many metro areas, especially those with modest incomes, increasingly struggle to find affordable housing. The authors investigate the landscape of low-cost rented housing units and spatial patterns of change in eight cities in the Southeast.

May 05, 2016

The Promise and Reality of Apprenticeship Programs in the United States

Apprenticeships have the potential to improve economic opportunity for workers who lack a traditional college education. Partners Update assesses the state of apprenticeships in the Southeast and nationally.

Apr 29, 2016

The Federal Reserve: A Crucial Player in Informing Economic Development

How does the Fed engage in economic development across the country? Will Lambe of the Atlanta Fed and Daniel Davis of the St. Louis Fed discuss various Bank initiatives in the Economic Development podcast. podcast

Apr 26, 2016

Financing Workforce Development in a Devolutionary Era

Federal funding for the traditional workforce development system has declined dramatically over the past few decades. The author examines several promising alternative financing models for workforce development programs such as social impact bonds and income-share agreements.

Apr 19, 2016

Understanding Heirs' Properties in the Southeast

Heirs' properties are parcels of land inherited by descendants of a previous owner who did not leave a will. This type of ownership is widespread in the Southeast and disproportionately found in low-income ethnic and racial minority families. Partners Update examines the social and economic issues associated with these properties.

Apr 07, 2016

Putting a Human Face on Eviction

What's behind the increasing rate of tenant evictions across the country? Harvard's Matthew Desmond, author of Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City, discussed the lack of affordable housing and shared haunting personal stories from his book at a recent Atlanta Fed event. Learn more in Partners Update.

Mar 17, 2016

Data Tools for Dynamic Communities

Mapping and data visualization tools can have significant applications in the community and economic development field. This Partners Update article examines two tools that help evaluate housing and transportation costs.

Mar 10, 2016

Negative Equity in the Sixth Federal Reserve District

Some cities have not recovered from the subprime and foreclosure crises, and negative equity—when a house is worth less than outstanding mortgage debt—remains a persistent problem. The author analyzes the characteristics of Southeast neighborhoods that continue to have negative equity.

Mar 01, 2016

eBook: Models for Labor Market Intermediaries

This eBook explores the role of community and economic development organizations in workforce development and the importance of fostering and facilitating partnerships to address local workforce challenges.

Feb 10, 2016

CDFIs Seek Federal Home Loan Bank Membership

Community development financial institutions have long faced challenges securing financing to assist low-income communities. One option is to become a Federal Home Loan Bank member to access additional funding sources. Partners Update discusses the membership process and new members in the Atlanta region.

Feb 03, 2016

The Small Cities Study Tour: Chattanooga's Comeback

How have some small cities forged a path to economic resurgence while others still languish? Representatives from several Federal Reserve Banks and place-based funders are on tour to find out. In this first Partners Update article in a series, they study a revitalized Chattanooga.

Jan 11, 2016

Strength in Numbers: Regional Workforce Collaboration

Close collaboration in the workforce development field is the current trend, creating a more accessible system for businesses and job seekers alike. The Atlanta Fed's Stuart Andreason and Dee Baird of the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance discuss research findings on how the various players collaborate in the Economic Development podcast. podcast

Jan 04, 2016

Offsetting Gentrification and Fostering Inclusive Transit-Oriented Development

The Atlanta Fed cohosted a recent symposium to examine strategies that would promote equitable transit-oriented development without gentrifying a neighborhood and displacing residents. Partners Update takes you inside the discussions.

Jan 01, 2016

Grow Your Own: Entrepreneurship-Based Economic Development for Local Communities Adobe PDF file formatOff-site link

The purpose of this ebook is to present an emerging model of economic development that focuses on using entrepreneurship and small business development as the primary tool to create community economic growth.

Dec 21, 2015

From Blight to Beautification: Jacksonville's Clean, Green Initiative

The city has taken a fresh approach to address neighborhood blight, according to Partners Update. This final article in our blight reduction series looks at Jacksonville's community cleanup and beautification initiative.

Dec 15, 2015

RISE Up: Birmingham Battles Blight

Through its RISE initiative—which stands for Remove blight, Increase value, Strengthen neighborhoods, and Empower residents—Birmingham is using its land bank authority to help clear tax delinquent properties and encourage investment. This second Partners Update article in a series explores that effort.

Dec 09, 2015

Community Prosecution: A Strategy to Tackle Blight with Communities

Community prosecution is one method to mitigate crime in a community through a proactive and decentralized approach to problem solving. This first Partners Update article in a series looks at how the city of Dallas is using community prosecution to reduce blight in target neighborhoods.

Dec 08, 2015

What It's Worth: Strengthening the Financial Future of Families, Communities and the NationOff-site link

Published by the San Francisco Fed in partnership with CFED, What It's Worth provides a 360-degree view of the financial problems and challenges millions of American households face. The book highlights the enormous creativity and innovation underway to improve financial well-being and provides concrete ways that nearly all sectors of society can implement proven and evolving solutions.

Dec 01, 2015

Blight Remediation in the Southeast: Local Approaches to Design and Implementation

Blight—or the proliferation of vacant, abandoned, or poorly maintained properties—is a critical issue that cities must address. The authors analyze New Orleans and Macon, which are committed to blight remediation and could become models for other cities to emulate.

Nov 17, 2015

Small City Economic Dynamism Index

An interactive tool and data set that explores 400 small U.S. cities. The index enables policymakers and practitioners to examine local trends and compare cities across four measures of economic dynamism: demographics, economics, human capital, and infrastructure.

Nov 16, 2015

Event: Community Forum on Healthy Food Access

A discussion about local initiatives to improve healthy food access in the Atlanta area and innovative cross-sector partnerships to address food insecurity, create jobs, and revitalize communities. The Atlanta Fed, Bank of America Foundation, and Reinvestment Fund cohosted the event.

Nov 05, 2015

Citizen Engagement in Community Development

Some municipalities are using community development initiatives that capitalize on the strengths of the community and its residents to improve living conditions. But what motivates residents to engage with their local government in the first place? This Partners Update article investigates findings from an Atlanta example.

Oct 29, 2015

Event: Transforming U.S. Workforce Development Policies for the 21st Century

Key leaders and authors of Transforming U.S. Workforce Development Policies for the 21st CenturyOff-site link shared their perspectives on workforce development and employment-related issues with an eye toward turning the book's ideas into action. The Atlanta and Kansas City Feds, Fed Board of Governors, and Rutgers' Heldrich Center for Workforce Development cohosted the event.

Oct 21, 2015

Leading, Lagging, and Left Behind: Identifying Metropolitan Leaders and Labor Market Outcomes

The percent of the population that gained a bachelor's degree or higher rose by 7.9 percentage points from 1990 to 2010. However, only 78 of 283 metro areas were above that 7.9 percentage point increase. The author examines four labor market outcomes in those 78 "leader metros."

Oct 16, 2015

Community Reinvestment Act: How Much Is It Worth in the Southeast?

Community development practitioners want to know how much banks are investing in a particular geography, as that information could help them "right-size" their strategy for bank partnerships. This second Partners Update article on the CRA provides an approximate figure for the Southeast.

Sep 22, 2015

Event: Equitable Development Strategies for Neighborhoods

The forum explored conditions affecting neighborhood revitalization and equitable development in Atlanta, the challenges and opportunities that emerge when revitalizing a community, and the role anchor institutions, transportation, infrastructure, and schools play in this work. The Atlanta Fed, Enterprise Community Partners, NeighborWorks America, and local partners cohosted the event.

Sep 09, 2015

Identifying Opportunity Occupations in the Nation's Largest Metropolitan Economies

The report identifies good-paying jobs in the 100 largest U.S. metro areas for workers who have less than a four-year college degree. The Federal Reserve Banks of Atlanta, Cleveland, and Philadelphia collaborated on the findings. Full report Adobe PDF file format  (8 MB) | Infographic Adobe PDF file format (392 KB)

Aug 24, 2015

Community Reinvestment Act: Geographies and Strategies in the Southeast

The Community Reinvestment Act helps drive significant investments into low- and middle-income communities, but not all communities benefit equally. This Partners Update article discusses where banks are motivated to act and provides a mapping tool to illustrate where particular banks engage in community development.

Aug 10, 2015

Event: Developing Qualified Workers: Pathways to Employability for High School Students and Graduates

Leaders from the business, government, nonprofit, and academic sectors explored some of the efforts currently under way to develop a stronger workforce. Noted Harvard University Professor Ronald Ferguson also shared a framework for providing multiple school-to-career pathways, including college and noncollege options.

Jul 23, 2015

The Financing Experiences of Nonemployer Firms: Evidence from the 2014 Joint Small Business Credit Survey

Little is known about the financial lifecycle of nonemployer businesses, which are an important part of the U.S. economy. Do they obtain financing? If so, what is their source? A new paper in the Community and Economic Development Discussion Paper Series discusses findings from the 2014 Joint Small Business Credit Survey, focusing on the nonemployer firms.

Jul 15, 2015

Digital Badging: Credentialing Soft Skills for Better Workplace Outcomes

New research points to soft skills as an important indicator for success in the workplace. Jonathan Finkelstein, founder and CEO of Credly, and Laura Lippman, senior fellow at Child Trends, discuss digital badging as a way to document these currently amorphous workplace skills in this Economic Development podcast episode. podcast

Jul 02, 2015

View from the Field: Does Community and Economic Development Face Technical or Process Challenges?

Perhaps community and economic developers need a new song to sing—or so one conference presenter suggested. A new Partners Update article offers highlights from two recent conferences that addressed the need to create new approaches.

Jun 18, 2015

How to Build a Strong Workforce Development Network: Lessons from Southeastern Workforce Networks

Organizations that help foster regional coordination among workforce development service providers recently convened to discuss successful strategies. Partners Update summarizes their discussions, which include key challenges and methods for surmounting them.

Jun 17, 2015

Event: Equitable Development Strategies for New Orleans Neighborhoods

The forum discussed best practices in designing and implementing local housing revitalization plans and explored the challenges of blight and affordable housing in New Orleans. The Atlanta Fed, Enterprise Community Partners, and NeighborWorks America cohosted the event.

Jun 15, 2015

Transforming U.S. Workforce Development Policies for the 21st CenturyOff-site link

The book explores how new policies and practice can meet the changing needs of workers, businesses, and their communities. The Atlanta and Kansas City Feds and Rutgers' Heldrich Center for Workforce Development collaborated on the book, which has contributions from over 65 leading scholars and practitioners engaged in workforce development.

Jun 08, 2015

Economic Dynamism in Small Cities (Part 2): Migration, Commuting, New Firm Creation, and Population Density in Small Cities

The factors that contribute to economic dynamism in a small city can be elusive to define and measure. This Partners Update looks at some elements of small city economic dynamism that may contribute to growth and development.

May 18, 2015

Future Fortunes: Are City-Suburban Educational Attainment Trends in the Southeast United States Unique?

The Southeast has historically lagged behind the rest of the nation in terms of education attainment. This Partners Update article looks closely at census and other data to try to uncover some positive trends that may exist despite the lag.

May 13, 2015

Events: Equitable Development Strategies for Nashville Neighborhoods

The forum examined current conditions affecting equitable development and challenges that must be addressed to meet affordable housing needs in Nashville. The Atlanta Fed, Enterprise Community Partners, NeighborWorks America, and Vanderbilt University cohosted the event.

May 13, 2015

Nashville: Equitable Development Strategies for Neighborhoods - May 13, 2015

Affordable housing in Nashville is increasingly scarce. A recent study conducted by Vanderbilt University noted that a high number of cost-burdened households find it difficult to secure affordable housing near jobs and transportation. Public policy, community engagement, real estate development regulations, land use, and finance all play a role in addressing this challenge. Implementation of equitable development practices and policies can help address this problem and minimize displacement in Nashville's neighborhoods.

Apr 15, 2015

Fragmentation in Workforce Development and Efforts to Coordinate Regional Workforce Development Systems

Job training programs and other entities often work independently in the workforce development field, which can lead to fragmentation and inefficiencies. The authors study the Atlanta area's challenges in coordinating workforce development and present best practices in other cities.

Apr 14, 2015

Economic Dynamism in Small Cities

Many small cities are growing at faster rates than has occurred in decades. This Partners Update article examines factors that contribute to economically vital small cities.

Apr 14, 2015

Future Fortunes: Trends in Educational Attainment in U.S. Legacy Regions

The authors investigate educational attainment trends in legacy cities, older industrial areas that once relied on manufacturing and production but lost jobs and population, in this third article in a series in Partners Update.

Mar 26, 2015

Future Fortunes: Trends in Educational Attainment in the Most Populous Metros

In this second Partners Update article in a series, the authors examine educational attainment trends across the country's 50 largest metropolitan areas and how the trends may have different implications for cities and suburbs.

Mar 23, 2015

The Role of Place-Based Initiatives in Community Development

As the name says, these initiatives are designed to concentrate investments in a specific location, and some couple infrastructure and human capital investments. This Partners Update article summarizes place-based initiatives, describes challenges for communities incorporating such a strategy, and discusses best practices.

Mar 19, 2015

Community Development Financial Institutions: Providing Capital for Revitalization

The lenders, also known as CDFIs, provide capital for affordable housing, small businesses, schools, health centers, and manufacturing facilities. This Partners Update article discusses CDFIs doing business in the Southeast.

Mar 13, 2015

Integrating Financial Counseling with Other Municipal Services

One model of financial counseling couples education with delivery of point-in-time municipal services. This model and other issues relevant to financial education providers were topics at the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund's annual meeting hosted by the Atlanta Fed's Nashville Branch, reports Partners Update.

Mar 12, 2015

Health and Community Development: Some Perspectives and Resources

In terms of health, the Southeast tends to trail behind other parts of the country, though efforts are under way to address these persistent challenges. This Partners Update article looks at resources generated in our region and by our Fed colleagues connecting health and community development.

Mar 05, 2015

The Arts Meet Community Development

The creative industries contribute about a million jobs to the U.S. economy with supporting industries offering millions more. Partners Update looks at the role the arts could play in the community development field.

Feb 24, 2015

The Soft Skills Gap

In listening sessions with the Atlanta Fed, workforce training providers noted the lack of soft skills in some workers. Those skills can be roughly divided into essential and workplace skills, and this Partners Update article discusses each set of skills.

Feb 10, 2015

Highlights from the National Workforce Development Conference

The 2014 event explored strategies that can help workers get jobs or stay employable in a rapidly changing labor market. Partners Update provides an overview of the proceedings.

Jan 29, 2015

Resilience in Planning: A Review of Comprehensive Plans in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina

Gulf Coast communities that were hard hit by Hurricane Katrina have implemented various plans to rebuild their infrastructure. In a new paper, an Atlanta Fed analyst looks at four Mississippi communities’ comprehensive plans and analyzes and compares them.

Jan 23, 2015

Fed Survey Finds Firms Seeking Small Amounts of Credit

The survey looks at the financing needs of small businesses with fewer than 500 employees. Partners Update provides a summary of the results.

Jan 15, 2015

Study Sheds Light on Working Families in Florida

U.S. job growth was the best in 15 years in 2014, but not all those jobs pay enough to support a family. The ALICE project describes the population of workers struggling to afford basic necessities; Partners Update examines the Florida project results.

Jan 08, 2015

Blog Further Explores the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program

The EB-5 program was designed to attract foreign investment into economically distressed communities, but is it achieving that goal? A second blog post discusses some southeastern projects and raises several issues for community and economic developers to consider. Partners Update summarizes the findings.

Jan 06, 2015

A Promising Approach: Improving Graduation Rates and Building a Better Workforce

High school graduation rates can have a broad effect on an area's economic vitality. How can communities implement programs to help students graduate while also providing work skills? Mike Beatty, of Great Promise Partnership, and Mike Wiggins, formerly of Southwire Company, discuss an exemplary model in an Economic Development podcast episode. podcast

Dec 04, 2014

What Counts: Harnessing Data for America's CommunitiesOff-site link

With 90 percent of the world's data generated in just the past two years, this book from the San Francisco Fed and the Urban Institute challenges policymakers, funders, and practitioners across sectors to seize this new opportunity to revolutionize our approaches to improve lives in low-income communities. It provides a road map for the strategic use of data to reduce poverty, improve health, expand access to quality education, increase employment, and build stronger and more resilient communities.

Nov 24, 2014

Connecting People to Work: Lessons Learned in Sectoral Approaches

How can sector-based workforce development strategies address the needs of both employers and job seekers? Maureen Conway of the Aspen Institute and Fred Dedrick of the National Fund for Workforce Solutions discuss a recent book on the topic in an Economic Development podcast episode. podcast

Nov 24, 2014

Understanding the New Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

The legislation funds the public workforce development system, which provides job training and placement services across the United States. Partners Update provides an overview of the act, which goes into effect next July.

Nov 04, 2014

Chair Yellen Discusses Inequality and Opportunity

In a recent speech, Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen discussed widening inequality in income and wealth in the United States. Partners Update notes that she highlighted four building blocks to build economic opportunity.

Nov 01, 2014

Community Development Data Guidebook Adobe PDF file formatOff-site link

The guidebook from the San Francisco Fed provides information on a variety of community development data resources, divided by topic area, along with a practical application of how to retrieve the data and suggestions on how to conduct appropriate analysis.

Oct 29, 2014

Blog Explores the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program

Community and economic developers are always looking for new ways to help revitalize economically distressed communities. The Atlanta Fed's Will Lambe looks at one rather novel program that could help; Partners Update summarizes the findings.

Oct 27, 2014

Looking Around the Corner: The Future of Economic Development

How can local economic development strategies evolve to address demographic changes, technological innovation, and increasing global competitiveness? Dan Gundersen, a former senior commerce official, and Rick Weddle, president of the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission, discuss the topic in an Economic Development podcast episode. podcast

Oct 15, 2014

Event: Transforming U.S. Workforce Development Policies for the 21st Century

This national convening brought together workforce, economic, and community development professionals to hear from national experts on transformative education and workforce development strategies and policies. The Atlanta and Kansas City Feds and Rutgers' Heldrich Center for Workforce Development cohosted the event.

Sep 29, 2014

Microenterprises Raise the Floor and Build a Ladder

One outcome of the recent recession is that rural poverty rates are the highest since the mid-1980s. Mil Duncan, founding director of the University of New Hampshire's Carsey Institute, discusses the issues facing the rural poor in an Economic Development podcast episode. podcast

Sep 18, 2014

Inclusionary Housing Policies: A Promising Tool for Housing Affordability

The U.S. housing market has been on the mend since the recession ended, but increasing property values are leaving many families of modest means priced out of the market. This Partners Update article examines inclusionary housing policies as one possible solution.

Aug 25, 2014

Strategies to Mitigate Rural Poverty Using Human and Social Capital

One outcome of the recent recession is that rural poverty rates are the highest since the mid-1980s. Mil Duncan, founding director of the University of New Hampshire's Carsey Institute, discusses the issues facing the rural poor in an Economic Development podcast episode. podcast

Jul 28, 2014

Should Microbusinesses Matter to Your Local Community?

Microbusinesses are a proven job-creation vehicle and promote economic growth. An Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) report suggests their size and impact has implications for local economic development. Kim Alleyne, at AEO, provides highlights from the report in this Economic Development podcast episode. podcast

Jul 23, 2014

Promoting Educational Attainment at the Local Level

Much of the wage growth in the United States over the last several decades has gone to the most productive (and highly educated) workers. A new Partners Update article looks at the implications for community and economic developers.

Jun 30, 2014

Competition to Incentivize Community Change: Working Cities Challenge

The Working Cities Challenge seeks to spur collaborative leadership in Massachusetts's smaller cities and help improve low-income residents' quality of life. Prabal Chakrabarti, at the Boston Fed, and Jessica Andors, at Lawrence Community Works, discuss the initiative in an Economic Development podcast episode. podcast

Jun 02, 2014

A Fresh Look at Small Business Conditions

Some 60 percent of small firms got most or all of the credit they applied for, a significant improvement over last year, according to the Atlanta Fed's first-quarter Small Business Survey. Partners Update reports on the survey results.

May 22, 2014

Measuring What Matters: Tracking Success in Economic Development

How can economic development practitioners best measure and track their strategies' outcomes? Tim Chase, of the Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition, and Swati Ghosh, of the International Economic Development Council, discuss their research findings in an Economic Development podcast episode. podcast

May 16, 2014

The Power of Collective Impact

The economic and social challenges that affect the geographically large, diverse Appalachia region are too complex for an individual organization to address. Over 200 local and regional funding entities have formed the Appalachia Funders Network to make a greater impact, reports Partners Update.

May 12, 2014

Event: Reinventing Older Communities: Bridging Growth and Opportunity

The sixth biennial Reinventing Older Communities conference explored how communities can grow and strengthen their economies by creating opportunities for all residents. The Philadelphia Fed sponsored the event.

May 08, 2014

Limiting Property Tax Assessments to Slow Gentrification

Though some cities plan to reduce or freeze property tax assessments for long-time homeowners, a recent Atlanta Fed blog suggests that property taxes are not a significant driver of neighborhood change. Partners Update takes a look at the issue.

May 05, 2014

Event: The Power of Microbusiness: Aligning for a New Economy

The 2014 Association for Enterprise Opportunity's national conference focused on the innovations, cross-sector collaboration among players, and policy initiatives that can foster economic opportunity for solo, micro, and Main Street business owners. The Atlanta Fed cosponsored the conference.

Apr 28, 2014

Economic Gardening: A Homegrown Approach to Growth

How effective are economic development strategies that seek to grow local entrepreneurship and small businesses? Todd Johnson at Gallup and Dell Gines at the Kansas City Fed explore the successes and challenges associated with this approach in an Economic Development podcast episode. podcast

Apr 17, 2014

Partnership Works to Reduce Poverty

The Florida Prosperity Partnership, a statewide coalition, links community organizations, state and local governments, and financial institutions to support residents' financial health. Partners Update looks at some of the organization's achievements.

Apr 11, 2014

Online Tool Aids Atlanta Policymakers, Community Members

While the city of Atlanta is an attractive place to live and work, many low-income people have not shared in that prosperity. Partners Update looks at a new web mapping tool designed to enhance regional planning and help inform policy.

Mar 31, 2014

Evolution of the Ecosystem: State Workforce Development Agencies

State workforce development agencies are crucial in deploying federal funding related to job training and placement. Rich Hobbie of the National Association of State Workforce Agencies and Burt Barnow of George Washington University explore how these agencies are evolving as funding streams change. podcast

Mar 11, 2014

UNITY Coalition Tackles Homelessness in New Orleans

Despite limited resources, UNITY of Greater New Orleans, a coalition of 60-plus local agencies, permanently housed over 500 chronically homeless people last year. Learn how the coalition achieved that success in a Partners Update article highlighting best practices in the Southeast.

Mar 01, 2014

Healthy Communities: A Framework for Meeting CRA Obligations Adobe PDF file formatOff-site link

This publication provides a road map of best practices in community development and a healthy communities framework that highlights the types of investments that are valuable both to financial institutions and their target communities. It also includes reference guides for ensuring planned CRA activities meet regulatory requirements and a template for how financial institutions can tell their CRA story.

Feb 26, 2014

Help for Difficult-to-Employ Populations: Colocating Jobs and Training Opportunities

Can business models be designed to support low-income populations by providing jobs, necessary training, and other support services? In an Economic Development podcast, Carla Javits and Jason Trimiew at the Roberts Enterprise Development Fund discuss their proposal for viable businesses that also include a workforce development component.

Jan 27, 2014

Global and Local Reach: Gauging the Impact of Immigration

What are the economic development implications of immigration, and how can communities leverage immigrants as key workforce assets? Denny Coleman of the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership and Michael Iacovazzi-Pau of Greater Louisville Inc. discuss findings from a recent IEDC report in an Economic Development podcast.

Dec 30, 2013

Small Business and the Modern Workplace

What are the challenges facing small business after the Great Recession? Ty Barksdale of Sutton Bank and Jake Rouch of Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership describe demands of the current workplace, including that workers be adaptable, collaborative, agile, and entrepreneurial.

Dec 02, 2013

Event: Rural Poverty Research Symposium

Economists, sociologists, and other researchers discussed papers and presentations on subjects ranging from human capital and education, racial and demographic aspects of rural poverty, where food stamp issuance increased most during the Great Recession, and current poverty measurements' shortcomings. The Atlanta Fed and U.S. Department of Agriculture cohosted the event.

Nov 29, 2013

Event: Opportunities and Challenges in Low- to Moderate-Income Communities: A Trialogue among Stakeholders

Lenders, regulators, and representatives of community-based nonprofit organizations met to discuss housing finance, general financial services, and small business lending, with a focus on low- to moderate-income households.

Nov 25, 2013

Small Businesses, Big Effects: Investing in Microenterprises

Microenterprise development initiatives can help to create and grow businesses and, in many cases, much needed jobs. Elaine Edgcomb and Tamra Thetford at the Aspen Institute discuss their proposal for encouraging microenterprise investment as a job creation strategy.

Oct 29, 2013

Event: The Future of Workforce Development in Mississippi

Promising practices and ideas to refine the state's workforce development ecosystem were explored by over 100 state leaders, including those in community colleges, secondary and postsecondary education, workforce development, social services, economic development and the private sector, and government. The Atlanta and St. Louis Feds and Mississippi Manufacturers Association cohosted the event.

Oct 28, 2013

What Workers Really Think: Perspectives from the Front Lines

Attracting and retaining workers is vital to the success of employers and communities. Carl Van Horn of Rutgers University's Heldrich Center for Workforce Development discusses the center's research on U.S. workers' perspectives on employment conditions and the future of the workplace.

Oct 03, 2013

Access to Consumer Credit in the Southeast: Results of the Community Indicators Project

Well-functioning credit markets are vital to support a healthy economy. Using survey results and listening sessions, the Atlanta Fed's Community Indicators Project examines consumers' access to credit in the Southeast, particularly in low- and moderate-income households. Partners Update looks at the results.

Sep 26, 2013

Event: The Future of Affordable Housing

Lawmakers have considered various housing reforms that could affect homeownership rates and rental markets over the near and long term. Two experts, Ron Terwilliger of the Urban Land Institute's Terwilliger Center for Housing, and Dan Immergluck, professor at Georgia Tech, discussed potential reforms.

Sep 26, 2013

Equity-Driven Expansion: A Unique Model for Economic Development

Large-scale economic development strategies can help facilitate job opportunities for low-income and minority populations. Victor Rubin and Sarah Treuhaft at PolicyLink discuss their proposal that infuses economic inclusion into these strategies as part of the "Big Ideas for Job Creation" project.

Sep 25, 2013

Social Ties, Space, and Resilience: Literature Review of Community Resilience to Disasters and Constituent Social and Built Environment Factors

Communities have faced more frequent and severe natural disasters in recent decades. In a new paper, the author examines the literature to understand one particular aspect of resilience: how the built environment contributes to greater resilience by supporting and encouraging strong social networks.

Aug 26, 2013

Solving the Revitalization Puzzle? Putting the Pieces Together

Some economic development efforts have expanded beyond traditional strategies to address a more comprehensive set of issues, including neighborhood revitalization. Shirley Franklin, CEO of Purpose Built Communities and former Atlanta mayor, discusses an approach that encompasses many stakeholders and yields beneficial community results.

Aug 19, 2013

Locally Owned: Do Local Business Ownership and Size Matter for Local Economic Well-being?

An economic development approach that supports locally owned businesses over nonlocally owned businesses and small companies over large ones has gained popularity since the 1980s. In a new paper, the author examines the effects of locally based entrepreneurship on local economic performance.

Jul 27, 2013

Aligning Regional Workforce Efforts: An Effective Industry-Informed Strategy

Regional collaboration can be an effective approach in responding to labor demands of local employers. Laura Chandler of the Southwest Alabama Workforce Development Council and Sam Covert of the Mobile Area Educational Foundation discuss how robust coordination among local workforce development players leads to more successful management of industry partnerships.

Jun 24, 2013

In the Neighborhood: Where Economic and Community Development Meet

Disinvested areas of cities must often combine community and economic development efforts to achieve the goals of both. Rick Sauer and Lynn Martin Haskin of the Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations discuss how local institutions can support economic development at the neighborhood level.

Jun 21, 2013

Trends in Small Business and Small Farm Loans

Community Reinvestment Act loans are intended to meet the needs of a community, including those in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. Here's a look at trends in national and southeastern data, focusing on small business and small farm loans.

May 28, 2013

People-Centered Practices: Improving the Workforce Potential for Those with Disabilities

How can the workforce development system better respond to people with disabilities? Kathy Krepcio, of Rutgers' Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, and Michael Morris, of National Disability Institute, discuss innovative programs and policies designed to ensure this sector is poised to meet employers' labor needs.

Apr 29, 2013

Employer and Lower-Wage Employee Perspectives on Training and Advancement

There is value for both the employee and employer in enhancing the skill sets of lower-wage workers. Mark Popovich of the Hitachi Foundation and Jenny Benz of the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research discuss findings of a recent study on this topic and implications for policy and practice.

Apr 11, 2013

Resilience and Rebuilding for Low-Income Communities: Research to Inform Policy and Practice

A diverse set of issues is shaping community development policy and practice. Nearly 350 participants explored research at the Fed's eighth biennial Community Development Research Conference. New ideas, approaches, and strategies for the community development industry and academic field were discussed.

Mar 22, 2013

Revitalizing Downtown through Entrepreneurship

Many cities support entrepreneurs as a way to create jobs, increase investment, and restore vitality, especially in the urban core. Ray Leach from JumpStart and Joe Marinucci of the Downtown Cleveland Alliance discuss how communities can create a thriving entrepreneur base through innovative approaches to support services and by reimagining partnerships among local organizations.

Feb 25, 2013

A Case for Greater Company Participation in Workforce Development

How can employers be effective partners in improving the local workforce ecosystem? Peter Cappelli, professor and director of the Wharton School's Center for Human Resources, discusses how firms can provide on-the-job training for skills needed within their organizations.

Jan 25, 2013

Women Entrepreneurs Mean Business

What are the current trends in female entrepreneurship? Alicia Robb, senior research fellow at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, discusses recent data on women-owned firms and the challenges and opportunities in expanding this sector.

Jan 16, 2013

Event: Aligning Workforce Development and Employment Strategies for Historically Black Colleges and Universities

The conference discussed job market issues affecting low- and moderate-income communities. Speakers addressed the need to retool educational systems and redesign curricula to match graduates to the job market. They also explored the multiple challenges of an aging workforce, stagnant wages, and concern for the long-term unemployed. The Atlanta and Kansas City Feds cohosted the event.

Dec 14, 2012

Why Connecting Economic and Workforce Development Matters

Christopher King, director of the Ray Marshall Center at the University of Texas's LBJ School of Public Affairs, discusses how the country's shift to a knowledge-based economy has brought the fields of economic development and workforce development closer over the past 10 years.

Nov 14, 2012

Collaborative Efforts: Colleges and Nonprofits Partner to Enhance Workers' Skills

Maureen Conway of the Aspen Institute discusses the results of the Institute's Courses to Employment project, which analyzed how community colleges and nonprofits worked together to help low-income adults succeed in the classroom and labor market.

Nov 14, 2012

Metrics for Success: Critical Elements for Workforce Development Programs

How can workforce development programs achieve the greatest impacts with limited budgets? Elizabeth Weigensberg, senior researcher at Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, discusses her recent research on the most successful workforce development program components and provides recommendations for how existing programs can be more effective.

Oct 24, 2012

Florida Leads Southeast in Population Growth

10/24/2012 - The Southeast population grew by 13 percent from 2000 to 2010, with urban centers garnering the lion's share. What do the changing demographics portend for the region's economy? An Atlanta Fed economist offers his perspective.

Oct 15, 2012

Working Solo: Trends in the Growing Self-Employment Sector

Stephan Goetz, director of the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development, discusses his recent research on the growing impact of self-employment as an economic development strategy. He also describes the types of local programs and policies that can support this sector.

Sep 19, 2012

Event: The Future of Workforce Development: Where Research Meets Practice

The conference discussed job market issues affecting low- and moderate-income communities. Speakers addressed the need to retool educational systems and redesign curricula to match graduates to the job market. They also explored the multiple challenges of an aging workforce, stagnant wages, and concern for the long-term unemployed. The Atlanta and Kansas City Feds cohosted the event.

Aug 28, 2012

Generating Jobs in Challenging Times: A Texas-Sized Story

How can a city create an attractive business climate and leverage its unique assets to gain and retain jobs? The Greater Houston Partnership's Craig Richard discusses an approach that has worked in his city to propel significant job growth despite the weak national recovery.

Aug 23, 2012

Taking the Pulse of Regional Low-Wage Workers

Low-wage workers make up about one-third of the U.S. workforce. What hurdles do they encounter when looking for a job? The Atlanta Fed community and economic development group conducted a poll to understand the issues low-wage workers in the Southeast face.

Aug 03, 2012

Fed Survey Examines Recession's Impact on Family Finances

According to the Federal Reserve Board's Survey of Consumer Finances for 2010, American families' net worth and income have fallen sharply since 2007.

Aug 03, 2012

Federal Regulators Release the 2012 List of Distressed, Underserved Communities

The number of middle-income rural communities in the Southeast designated as distressed or underserved grew 45 percent between 2011 and 2012, according to federal banking regulators. Financial institutions will receive credit under the Community Reinvestment Act for revitalization or stabilization efforts in those areas.

Jul 26, 2012

Acting Locally: Interview with Community Development Executive Deborah Scott

Scott, executive director of Georgia STAND-UP, discusses critical issues for underserved communities and how her organization works with numerous partners to address key community and economic development issues.

Jul 18, 2012

From Textiles to Turnaround: A Tale of Two Cities

Many cities have experienced the contraction of a once-dominant industry. The Richmond Fed's Kim Zeuli examines two North Carolina cities—Concord and Eden—that lost their textile employment base and learned to adapt to changing conditions.

Jul 12, 2012

Increase in Mobile Banking Services an Opportunity for Unbanked Consumers

Kate Marshall Dole, an analyst at the Center for Financial Services Innovation, discusses the potential that mobile banking and payments represent for reaching the unbanked and underserved communities.

Jun 29, 2012

FEMAs New Disaster Recovery Resource Offers Support in Community Rebuilding

Identifying disaster recovery resources and understanding how they can be knit together to fund community rebuilding can be a challenge. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has responded to this need by launching an online tool.

Jun 18, 2012

Community Reinvestment: Does Your Bank Measure Up?

This Atlanta Fed booklet describes how the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) affects the way banks and thrifts serve their communities' credit needs. It outlines factors that regulators use to rate a bank's CRA performance and tells where to find information on a bank's rating.

Jun 18, 2012

Power in Partnerships: Addressing Workforce Development Challenges

Workforce development issues require collaboration across sectors and geographies. Damian Thorman, national program director at the John L. and James S. Knight Foundation, discusses the importance of public, private, and philanthropic partnerships in addressing local and regional workforce challenges.

Jun 18, 2012

Federal Funding for State Small Business Programs

Don Graves of the U.S. Treasury Department discusses a new program designed to enhance small businesses, the State Small Business Credit Initiative.

Jun 11, 2012

Housing Trends in Rural Areas

Rural communities have historically had high unemployment and poverty rates as well as substandard housing stock. Joseph Belden of the nonprofit Housing Assistance Council discusses housing challenges in rural areas and strategies to improve those conditions.

May 22, 2012

Why Did So Many People Make So Many Ex Post Bad Decisions? The Causes of the Foreclosure Crisis

An Atlanta Fed research paper suggests that prevailing optimism during the housing boom and the resulting decisions made by homeowners and financial institutions were primary causes of the foreclosure crisis. The paper examines what led to some of these decisions and how policymakers might respond in the future.

May 10, 2012

Closing the Gap: Improving Minority-Owned Small Firms' Access to Credit

Small minority businesses typically pay higher interest rates and receive smaller loans than nonminority-owned firms of similar age and size. Tim Bates, professor of economics at Wayne State University, explores ideas to increase access to capital so minority companies can create jobs and expand.

Apr 24, 2012

Everything Must Change: Rethinking Workforce Development

Traditional workforce development approaches may require restructuring to address current economic conditions and demographic shifts. A recent EconSouth article highlights some issues to consider in tailoring workforce development programs to meet the needs of local employers.

Apr 11, 2012

Shrinking Cities and Right Sizing in the Southeast

Some Southeastern cities have seen population declines in the last few decades. Communities facing these conditions may turn to strategies focused on "right sizing" or "smart decline," which emphasize improving the quality of life for current residents rather than attracting new ones.

Apr 11, 2012

Southeast Communities Respond to Tightened Fiscal Conditions

Recently, the Atlanta Fed's Community and Economic Development outreach team interviewed experts across the Southeast on how local communities are responding to reduced state and local budgets. What impact is that having on households and communities in the region?

Mar 23, 2012

Federal Reserve Board Report Shows Widespread Growth in Mobile Banking

Mobile banking is a growing trend among consumers, according to recent findings from a Federal Reserve Board report. The online survey of nearly 2,300 people explores the widespread use of mobile technology to access a bank account, credit card, or other financial account.

Mar 21, 2012

Can the Jobs Gap Be Filled through Temporary Public-sector Positions?

Philip Harvey, professor of law and economics at Rutgers University, discusses how his proposed direct job creation program would create temporary public-sector jobs, and in the process, help reduce unemployment.

Feb 29, 2012

Harnessing Many Financing Sources to Benefit a Community

Two community development finance professionals discuss their strategies to support the expansion of a community health care center in a low-income neighborhood in New Orleans.

Feb 29, 2012

Southeast Mortgage Performance Continued to Improve in the Fourth Quarter

In the Southeast, overall mortgage delinquency and foreclosure trends in the fourth quarter of 2011 improved year over year. However, only Georgia and Tennessee improved on a state level in every category, and Mississippi continues to struggle with mortgage delinquencies.

Feb 22, 2012

Event: The Great Immigration Turnaround: New Facts and Old Rhetoric

Take everything you know about immigration...and throw it out the window. Sounds drastic, but University of Southern California Professor Dowell Myers argues that most of our commonly held assumptions about immigration are wrong, and he'll tell you why.

Feb 21, 2012

Tax Relief? An Innovative Proposal to Nurture New Entrepreneurs

Bob Friedman of the Corporation for Enterprise Development discusses how federal tax preparation assistance for new businesses and the self-employed could facilitate job creation.

Feb 03, 2012

Crowdsourcing for the Common Good: A Community Development Approach

Crowdsourcing—engaging web users in a particular project—may prove to be a valuable tool for decision making among government and nonprofit entities. A crowdsourcing technique that promotes engagement and creative problem solving can empower citizens and maximize benefits to a community.

Jan 25, 2012

Trash to Treasure: Turning Waste into Jobs

Instead of sending waste to landfills, a municipal approach that prioritizes the reuse, recycling, and remanufacture of materials can provide a range of new jobs. Georgia Tech's Nancey Green Leigh discusses how to create jobs from the waste diversion process.

Jan 25, 2012

Retrofitting Institutions: Feeding Job Growth with Energy Hogs

Satya Rhodes-Conway and James Irwin, senior associates at the Center on Wisconsin Strategy, discuss how retrofitting public and institutional buildings spurs job creation in the real estate sector while reducing building operating costs.

Jan 01, 2012

Investing in What Works for America's Communities Adobe PDF file formatOff-site link

This compilation of essays published by the San Francisco Fed and the Low Income Investment Fund highlights entrepreneurial solutions for addressing poverty. Authors include leading experts from across the country in community and economic development, academia, government policy, health, and philanthropy.

Dec 22, 2011

Mortgage Performance Trends in the Southeast: Mixed Results for the Third Quarter

In the Southeast, seriously delinquent first mortgages are down slightly in the third quarter compared with the third quarter of 2010. However, foreclosure rates have seen a modest increase in that same time period, reflecting the national trend.

Dec 20, 2011

Negative Equity Impedes Real Estate Market Recovery

Over 10.7 million households owe more than their homes are worth as of the third quarter of 2011, according to Chief Economist Mark Fleming of CoreLogic. Negative equity can hinder homeowners' ability to sell their homes or, in some cases, to qualify for loan modification and refinancing programs.

Dec 20, 2011

Materials from Small Business and Entrepreneurship during an Economic Recovery forum now available

On November 9-10, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System hosted a forum on Small Business and Entrepreneurship during an Economic Recovery in collaboration with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. View materials from this event, including conference papers, video clips, transcripts, and speaker presentations.

Dec 19, 2011

Regional Innovation: When the Sum Is Greater than the Parts

Economic development practitioners can foster strategic collaboration among regional concentrations of firms and industries to support job growth and investment in their communities. John Fernandez, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, discusses how to develop and maximize the effectiveness of regional economic development strategies.

Dec 16, 2011

The Doctor Is In: Economic Development Strategies in Health Care

The health care sector has been an important source of new jobs in this economy. Dr. Ricardo Azziz, president of Georgia Health Sciences University, discusses the importance of the sector to the economic well-being of communities and how its growth can help catalyze economic development.

Nov 09, 2011

Event: Small Business and Entrepreneurship during an Economic Recovery

Participants discussed issues facing small businesses and entrepreneurs in the current economic environment. The Atlanta Fed, Fed Board of Governors, and Kauffman Foundation cohosted the event.

Oct 31, 2011

Podcast Explores the State of Multifamily Real Estate

Ron Johnsey, president of Axiometrics, discusses the trends, challenges, and opportunities facing the apartment sector.

Oct 20, 2011

Land Banks: One Tool for Housing Market Recovery

Governor Elizabeth Duke discussed "lessons learned" from the financial crisis during a Federal Reserve Board forum on September 1. Duke also identified obstacles to the housing market recovery and explored possible solutions. One option, land banking, has a good track record in the Southeast.

Oct 14, 2011

Audio and Slides from Sept. 8 Fed Microfinance Call-in Session Now Online

Miss a Fed community development call-in? No problem! You can hear the presentations and discussion plus see the slides and related resources online after the session. Materials from the first call-in on September 8, Micro Finance: Helping to Create First-time Entrepreneurs, are available now.

Sep 08, 2011

Connecting CommunitiesOff-site link

Federal Reserve System webinar series provides a national audience with timely insights and information on emerging and important community and economic development topics.

Sep 01, 2011

Mortgage Performance Trends in the Southeast: A Reality Check

The most recent Mortgage Delinquency and Foreclosure Trends from the Atlanta Fed shows a slight decrease in the percentage of mortgages in foreclosure in the Southeast from December 2010 to June 2011. But there's an asterisk beside that news.

Aug 31, 2011

Special Two-Part Podcast Explores the Role of CDFIs in Community Development Today

Communities underserved by traditional financial institutions may need innovative methods to access credit. Community development financial institutions (CDFIs) are important partners in community and economic development.

Aug 31, 2011

Should CDFIs Join Your Job-Creation Team?

CDFIs (community development financial institutions) are playing a growing and evolving role in job creation across the country. Donna Gambrell, director of the U.S. Department of the Treasury's CDFI Fund, discusses CDFIs and how they contribute to economic development in this second half of a two-part podcast.

Aug 31, 2011

Harnessing the Power of Social Networks to Rebuild Communities

Following hurricanes Katrina and Rita, strong community ties played a critical role in the rebuilding process. A new book with content by Atlanta Fed staff explores the important role of social networks in the rebuilding of two Gulf Coast communities.

Aug 17, 2011

Giving Credit Where It Is Due: CDFIs in LMI Communities

Donna Gambrell, director of the U.S. Department of the Treasury's CDFI Fund, describes how community development financial institutions differ from other financial institutions and discusses their impact on low- and moderate-income (LMI) communities in this first half of a two-part podcast.

Jun 30, 2011

Job Creation is the Focus of Latest Atlanta Fed Economic Development Podcasts

The new podcasts added to the Atlanta Fed's Economic Development podcast series highlight strategies that practitioners across the country are using in the postrecession economy.

Jun 29, 2011

View from the Top: New Perspectives on Familiar Concepts in Economic Development

Job creation and retention are top priorities for most communities across the nation and around the world. Jeff Finkle, president and CEO of the world's largest economic development membership organization, discusses how successful economic developers adapt to current issues, including the economic downturn, regionalism, and globalization.

Jun 24, 2011

Presentations and Papers from Three Recent Conferences Online

The Atlanta Fed cosponsored conferences on green development and green finance, community development research, and increasing stability in unbanked and under-banked communities.

Jun 17, 2011

Self-employment as Economic Development Strategy: What Does It Mean For Metro and Nonmetro Counties in the Southeastern United States?

New research suggests that self-employment is becoming an important solution to unemployment in the Southeast, especially in rural areas. But why are there different outcomes for urban and rural areas? And what are the implications for economic developers and policymakers?

Jun 09, 2011

The Economics of Green Building

Small improvements in the "sustainability" of buildings can have large effects on greenhouse gas emissions and on energy efficiency in the economy. In today's commercial real estate market, does it also make business sense to invest in the energy efficiency or "sustainability" of buildings?

Jun 08, 2011

Atlanta Fed Releases Q1 2011 Results of Small Business Survey

Find out the latest small business trends by industry sector, age of firm, and more in the latest report on the results of the Atlanta Fed's quarterly survey of small businesses.

Jun 08, 2011

New Resources for Small Businesses Now Available

The Atlanta Fed offers a new collection of small business resources, with a special focus on the Southeast. Plus, now you can explore the relationships between small business, entrepreneurship, and economic recovery through papers and presentations from a recent conference.

May 18, 2011

New Economy, New Roles: Economic Development Organizations and Jobs

Economic development organizations must develop and execute job creation programs in today's difficult economy, even as their budgets are reduced. Denny Coleman, president and CEO of the St. Louis County Economic Council, discusses how local organizations can still add to the quantity and quality of local jobs.

May 04, 2011

Not Your Father's Factory Job: Manufacturing and Economic Development

Jay Moon, president and CEO of the Mississippi Manufacturers Association, discusses the increasingly technical and specialized skills needed to support advanced manufacturing. These skills, he says, are creating a greater focus on working with business, industry, and educational partners to develop a better-skilled workforce.

Apr 25, 2011

Small Things Really Matter: The Important Role of Microenterprise in Job Creation

Microenterprises, which employ about 20 percent of the U.S. private-sector workforce, have been especially important since the recent recession. Connie Evans, president and CEO of the Association for Enterprise Opportunity, discusses how economic developers can grow local jobs by supporting microenterprises.

Apr 13, 2011

Rethinking the Relationship of Health Care and Economic Development

Who will pay for health care? How should it be delivered? Even though these topics arouse considerable national debate, nearly all economic developers agree on one important point: health care creates jobs.

Apr 13, 2011

The Job Hunt: New Clues for Small Business Job Creation

Newly available data provide fresh insights into employment in the small business sector. Brian Headd, economist in the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy, explores the changing relationship of small business to jobs.

Mar 10, 2011

Strengthening the Green Foundation: Research and Policy Directions for Development and Finance | 11/09–10/2011

The conference investigated core issues surrounding green development and assessed the tools, challenges, and opportunities in financing this type of development. Tulane University's Master of Sustainable Real Estate Development program and the Atlanta Fed’s Center for Real Estate Analytics cohosted the event.

Mar 02, 2011

Healthy Workforce=Competitive Advantage

Today, more companies consider the health of the local workforce when deciding where to locate or expand a business. Dr. Rhonda Medows, chief medical officer and executive vice president for UnitedHealth Group's public sector programs, discusses job trends and how economic developers can improve their communities' competitive advantage by improving the health of the workforce.

Feb 16, 2011

Ready to Work? The Long Term Impact of Child Health on Economic Development

Chronic illnesses, including diabetes and high blood pressure, contribute to worker absenteeism, decreased productivity, and increased insurance costs to employers. Greater focus is being placed on preventive health care, including a closer look at children's health. Dr. Jay Berkelhamer, past president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, discusses trends in child health and their implications for workforce development.

Feb 02, 2011

The Intersection of Medical Training and Economic Development

A critical shortage in medical professionals, especially in rural and low-income areas, is a challenge facing medical colleges. Dr. Wayne J. Riley, president and CEO of Meharry Medical College, discusses the future of medical training and its implications for economic development.

Jan 21, 2011

Who Will Treat the Sick? Emerging Trends in the Hospital Based Workforce

Hospitals and their satellite operations are facing human capital frictions as the public demands the latest treatments in the most upgraded facilities and as they prepare to respond to new legislation. Dr. Stephen Newman, chief operating officer with Tenet Healthcare Corp., discusses these workforce challenges and opportunities.

Dec 10, 2010

Bridging the Gap: Overcoming Minority Small Business Performance Disparities

Minority-owned small businesses make significant contributions to the U.S. economy, but there are still distinct disparities in business performance between minority-owned firms and nonminority-owned firms. Dr. Robert Fairlie, professor of applied economics and finance at the University of California Santa Cruz, discusses how minority-owned small businesses have fared in difficult economic conditions and policy options to address these challenges.

Dec 10, 2010

Healthy Businesses, Healthy Communities: Identifying and Responding to Local Small Business Challenges

Small businesses are recognized as job creation engines as well as contributors to the economic vibrancy of the neighborhoods where they are located. Dr. Lisa Servon, former dean of Milano the New School for Management and Urban Policy, discusses the effects of the economic downturn on small businesses and local communities and approaches to promoting economic development in a time of major financial constraints and challenges.

Dec 10, 2010

Fact or Fallacy: Can Self Employment Improve Economic Opportunities for Low Skilled Workers?

For some low-skilled workers, self-employment appears to be the best opportunity to improve their earnings, but is it? Dr. Magnus Lofstrom, research fellow with the Public Policy Institute of California, discusses whether self-employment improves the earning power of low-skilled workers as well as economic development policies that local and state governments could consider to help this vulnerable population.

Nov 17, 2010

The Role of Technical and Vocational Schools in Easing Job Skills Mismatch

Technical and vocational schools are well positioned to provide practical training that meets the needs of local employers. James King, vice chancellor for the Tennessee Technology Centers, discusses how these schools can partner with employers and position their graduates to thrive in today's emerging job sectors.

Nov 02, 2010

On the Rebound: How Resurgent Cities Generate Jobs and Investment

Older cities once focused on manufacturing have faced declining fortunes for some time. Even with the economic recession adding new pressures to economic development strategies, some of these cities have managed to reinvent themselves into vibrant job centers. Dr. Yolanda Kodrzycki of the New England Policy Center at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston discusses the lessons these resurgent cities have for other communities.

Oct 26, 2010

Event: Small Business, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Recovery: A Focus on Job Creation and Economic Stabilization

The conference provided a multidisciplinary approach to understanding the relationship between small business and entrepreneurship and economic recovery. The Kauffman Foundation and Atlanta and Dallas Feds cohosted the event.

Sep 22, 2010

Three in One: Growing Jobs, Developing a Workforce, and Stabilizing Neighborhoods

Current economic conditions have inspired practitioners and policymakers to think more deliberately about the overlap between economic and community development. The combination of fewer local businesses, fewer jobs for residents, and increased foreclosure rates has hastened holistic, neighborhood-based approaches. Tony Cipollone, vice president for the Civic Sites and Initiatives of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, discusses how neighborhood-based economic and community development projects are working to create more vital and vibrant neighborhoods.

Sep 08, 2010

Getting to Work: Community and Vocational Colleges Explore New Paradigms for Workforce Development

Community, technical, and vocational colleges play an important role in preparing the workforce for the immediate labor demands of local employers and promoting full employment in their service regions. However, current economic conditions have challenged traditional models, prompting revised and sometimes new approaches. Dr. Rolando Montoya, provost at Miami Dade College, the nation's largest nonprofit institution of higher learning, discusses how a community college can nimbly adjust its curriculum to respond to the fast-changing workforce needs of local businesses and strengthen local economic development.

Aug 25, 2010

Jobs That Matter Most: Driving Economic Growth in New Orleans's Post Katrina Economy

Like many cities that have heavily depended on a few key industries, employment and workforce development have long been a challenge for New Orleans. But the economic and natural disasters of the past five years only exacerbated the situation. As New Orleans continues to rebound from Hurricane Katrina, job growth and a more resilient economy will depend on simultaneously leveraging historic industry assets while growing new ones. Dr. Allison Plyer, co-deputy director at the Greater New Orleans Community Data Center, discusses the vital role of New Orleans's export industries from her recent report, Jobs that Matter Most: Regional Export Industries in the New Orleans Area.

Aug 04, 2010

Counting on Quality Jobs: Transforming the Economic Development Landscape

Creating quality jobs and rebuilding the middle class in a global, knowledge-driven economy requires new strategies, new partners, new goals, and new metrics of success. The role of economic developers has expanded to include everything from technology transfer to attracting retail that will expand a community's tax base. Putting this all together in an economic development strategy can be challenging. Dr. Shari Garmise, vice president for Knowledge Management and Development for the International Economic Development Council, discusses the findings and case studies compiled in the recent report "Creating Quality Jobs."

Jul 14, 2010

Revitalizing Urban Industrial Sectors: A Roadmap for Diversifying the Economic Base

Creating a broad range of high-quality jobs in the urban core is a daunting economic development challenge, that is only exacerbated by the current economic climate. Using Atlanta as an example, Dr. Nancey Green Leigh, professor of City and Regional planning at the Georgia Institute of Technology, discusses a roadmap for protecting and energizing an industrial sector as a viable source of job growth and economic investment.

Mar 11, 2010

Sweet Charity: Foundations as a Source for Community and Economic Development

The overlap between economic development and philanthropy is growing. While we most often think of foundations as being involved in community development, they play increasingly more important roles in economic development. Douglas W. Nelson, retired president and CEO of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, talks about how foundations can support economic development as sources of flexible capital and data-driven policy advocacy.

Feb 24, 2010

Banking on Economic Development: Financial Institutions and Economic Development—A Changing Paradigm

The importance of financial institutions in economic development efforts has varied by region. As communities struggle with funding economic development efforts, some are re-engaging banks in new ways. Indeed, the financial crisis has re-framed the banking sector's models of economic development deals. Bill Best, senior vice president for Community Development at PNC Bank and chair for the International Economic Development Council, discusses the key role banks play in community and economic development efforts during a time of recovery.

Feb 10, 2010

Resources Matter: Protecting the Environment While Growing the Local Economy

Economic growth and the preservation of natural resources are increasingly interdependent. Chris Clark, commissioner of Georgia's Department of Natural Resources, discusses the very real and important connections among economic development, community development, and the sustainable use of natural resources, an interdependence that leads to productive industries and thriving communities.

Jan 27, 2010

A Brand New World: Why Sustainability Matters in Modern Economic Development

Increasingly, communities are approaching economic development efforts within a sustainability context. Federal funding support has also shifted toward projects and programs that emphasize sustainability concepts. Edward Blakely, professor of Urban Policy at the University of Sydney, Australia, discusses how the economic crisis has transformed how we think about economic development finance and how communities can craft their economic destinies within the global economy.

Jan 13, 2010

Closing the Deal: Effective Incentives during Fiscal Challenges

The financial climate has limited the availability and effectiveness of traditional economic development tools. States and counties are challenged to identify innovative strategies to promote economic growth and employment. Reagan Farr, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Revenue, discusses how Tennessee has adapted its incentive policies to attract investment and grow jobs in the midst of the nation's worst recession in decades.

Apr 21, 2009

Intrametropolitan Patterns of Foreclosed Homes: ZIP-Code-Level Distributions of Real-Estate-Owned (REO) Properties during the U.S. Mortgage Crisis Adobe PDF file format

Real-estate-owned (REO) properties are usually vacant and, particularly when geographically concentrated, can have destabilizing effects on neighborhoods and communities. The author studies intrametro REO distributions across different metro areas during the mortgage crisis.

Dec 15, 2008

The Accumulation of Foreclosed Properties: Trajectories of Metropolitan REO Inventories during the 2007-2008 Mortgage Crisis Adobe PDF file format

What was the extent to which real-estate-owned (REO) properties accumulated in different housing markets during the mortgage crisis? The author examines characteristics of the inventory of REO properties in U.S. metro areas from 2006 to 2008.

Oct 10, 2008

Community Response to the Foreclosure Crisis: Thoughts on Local Interventions Adobe PDF file format

Mortgage regulation and foreclosure laws are generally under federal and state governance, but local governments and organizations responded to rising foreclosures in various ways. The author presents a range of responses to the foreclosure crisis that local organizations have used.

Sep 04, 2008

Community Reinvestment Act: Does Your Bank Measure Up?

As a financial consumer and a concerned citizen, you may be interested in how well your bank or savings and loan is helping meet the credit needs of your community, including low- and moderate-income areas. In fact, by law, the performance of every bank and thrift in meeting these needs is regularly evaluated and rated, and this rating is available to the public.