In 2009, Pennsylvania State Senator Pat Browne passed a bill that created a special taxing district to incentivize new development to support the attraction and growth of businesses in Allentown, a once vivacious industrial city that sits just Northwest of Philadelphia. The area, designated a Neighborhood Improvement Zone (NIZ), has so far benefited from the tax incentive’s unique structure and attractiveness to the private sector. Read More

As 2016 draws to an end, we’re taking the opportunity to reflect back on what has helped drive awareness and progress in underserved communities around the country. With that spirit in mind, we’ve rounded up the most-read blogs of 2016. These posts exemplify the initiatives, innovation, and dedication that continues to spread growth and prosperity in America’s inner cities. Read More

In 2016, 12 of the nation’s most innovative incubators and accelerators were awarded funding from JPMorgan Chase’s Small Business Forward initiative to support their growth and the growth of the small businesses they support. In sectors ranging from food to clean energy to water technology, the grant recipients are moving the needle in terms of job and wealth creation in over 10 cities in 8 states. Read More

Food hubs are a vehicle used to strengthen local agriculture while making healthy and affordable food available to more communities. Several cities have seen that food hubs can also mobilize multiple aspects of the food industry, and in turn help get the wheels of local economies moving. Read More

In April the MacArthur Foundation, Chicago Community Trust (CCT), and the Calvert Foundation announced Benefit Chicago, an innovative collaboration that aims to mobilize $100 million in impact investments for nonprofits and social enterprises in Chicago. Read More