Anchor institutions (universities, hospitals, libraries, sports facilities, and performing arts and cultural institutions) play a leading role in the economies of their cities and metropolitan areas, as they are often the largest land owners and biggest employers for their regions.  Anchor institutions have recently become the focus of urban and metropolitan policy precisely because of their commitment to the communities they serve.  Unlike corporations that may choose to relocate-for a variety of reasons-to the suburbs or to a different region, anchor institutions are rooted to their places. Their commitment to and impact on their communities make them appropriate instruments for generating jobs and long-term prosperity for metropolitan regions.
The briefing will feature leaders of anchor institutions.  The conversation will be around the role of anchor institutions in stimulating job creation for their cities.  It will particularly highlight the impact of the recent recession and how they have utilized American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to promote job opportunities.  The briefing will also discuss how anchor institutions could best leverage federal funds through a new jobs bill to further generate job creation for their cities and metropolitan regions.

 

The briefing will take place Monday, July 19, 2010 from 4:15 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. in 2247 Rayburn House Office Building.

 

Speakers include:
Rep. Chaka Fattah, Chair, Congressional Urban Caucus
Kenneth E. Lawrence, Jr., Senior Vice President for Government, Community and Public Affairs, Temple University (Moderator)
Michael Rao, President, Virginia Commonwealth University
James Zuiches, Vice Chancellor for Extension, Engagement and Economic Development, North Carolina State University
Carla Hayden, Chief Executive Officer, Enoch Pratt Free Public Library in Baltimore, MD
Gordon Lafer, Senior Labor Policy Advisor, House Committee on Education & Labor

 

To RSVP, please contact Brenden Chainey at Brenden.chainey@mail.house.gov. For more information contact Greg Lewis at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.

 
 On July 15 the Senate held its final vote on the Financial Reform Bill-- passing the legislation 60-39.  The final version of the bill contains $1 billion for a third round of Neighborhood Stabilization Program Funds (NSP3).  The bill also directs $1 billion to the emergency mortgage relief program.  Text of the legislation also fixes the 25 percent low-income set aside requirement to include "vacant" properties.  Original NSP language only covered "abandoned" or "foreclosed" properties in the set aside. The addition of "vacant" properties will apply to funds remaining in NSP1 and NSP2.

 

According to the White House, the President will sign the bill into law later this week in a formal signing ceremony.
 
As part of their work with a national foreclosure taskforce, Enterprise Community Partners has compiled a summary of the NSP3 language contained in HR 4173.
 
For more information contact Greg Lewis at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.

Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs) were created in the United States to provide special U.S. Customs and Border Protection procedures to U.S. firms engaged in international trade related activities.  These procedures were designed to encourage manufacturing in the domestic industry.  In FY2008, there were 2,509 firms served by FTZs, which employed 350,282 persons and received a total of $747 billion worth of shipments.  Come learn about this program and its impact on jobs, manufacturing and exports in our region and across the country.

The briefing will be Wednesday, July 21, 2010 from 12:00-1:30pm in 2253 Rayburn House Office Building.

 

Speakers include:

Ron DeBarr, President & CEO - Northeast Ohio Trade and Economic Consortium- "Introduction to Foreign Trade Zones"
Brandi Hanback, Managing Director - The Rockefeller Group- "What are the Benefits of the Foreign Trade Zone Program?"
Gail Morin, Director of Global Trade Compliance - Black & Decker- "Foreign Trade Zone Success Stories"
Dr. Willard M. Berry, President - National Association of Foreign Trade Zones

For more information contact Christine Kontra, of the Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition or Greg Lewis at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced the recipients of $293 million in Urban Circulator/Bus and Bus Livability grants.  The program was announced by Secretary Ray LaHood in New Orleans as a program to fund transportation projects that enhance livability in cities of all sizes.  Of the funds $163 million was spent on Bus and Bus Livability projects while the remaining $130 million was spent spent on streetcar projects.  Cities that put up local funds for the projects were more likely to receive federal funding.  Grants of more than $10 million were awarded to the Northeast-Midwest cities of Cincinnati, Chicago, New York, and Stamford.
 
For more information contact Fritz Ohrenschall at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.