NGIN Releases New EDA-Backed Report with University of Michigan

The New Growth Innovation Network (NGIN) is excited to announce the release of a new report titled "Interweaving Equity in Place-Based Economic Development: An early analysis of equity within the Build Back Better Challenge Awardees.” Commissioned by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), this report was developed by the University of Michigan’s Economic Growth Institute (EGI), with support from NGIN, and provides an in-depth analysis of how equity is being successfully integrated into local economic development efforts across the United States.  

NGIN has had a front-row seat to witness how equity is being embedded through transformative federal investments in place-based economic development programs such as EDA’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC), a billion-dollar grant initiative with equity at the forefront. 

Over the past year, NGIN has closely observed these groundbreaking efforts and is now excited to share the impactful findings.

This report is based on findings from the 21 coalitions selected for BBBRC. Using semi-structured interviews with 40 BBBRC leaders and thematic qualitative analysis, the team identified how these communities are fostering equitable outcomes during the first year of implementation.

Equity prioritization is complex and happens at multiple levels. Our research found the following  common themes: 

Equity in Place-Based Program Development: The report highlights how BBBRC coalitions are defining local narratives, acknowledging historical marginalization, and engaging communities in program development.

Equity in Coalition Structures: The research underscores the importance of community-engaged decision-making within coalitions. By involving underserved community leaders in governance processes, coalitions are fostering more inclusive and representative decision-making structures.

Equity in Project Activities: The report identifies how equity is being woven into the fabric of project activities. This includes outreach to underserved communities and ensuring that projects are designed to benefit those who have historically been excluded from economic opportunities. These activities are essential for creating more resilient and inclusive regional economies​​.

EGI and NGIN will continue to follow the journeys of BBBRC communities over the next 3 years to more deeply understand and analyze how these practices and approaches lead to more equitable outcomes in the community.  

We believe that the lessons learned from the BBBRC coalitions can inspire and guide efforts to create more equitable and prosperous communities across the country.

For more information and to download the full report, please click here.