What is SCALE?
New Growth Innovation Network’s Strategic Capacity for Advancing Local Economies (SCALE) program supports coalitions from Small and Midsized Cities (population 50,000–500,000) through two specialized technical assistance tracks designed to meet your city’s exact needs: Community Wealth Building and Commercial Real Estate Development.
Selected coalitions will receive a fully funded learning trip, one-on-one coaching, peer exchange opportunities—plus track-specific support. (See our full offering diagram below.)
Funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, this program is part of NGIN's Small and Midsized Cities Hub—an initiative that offers a suite of programs, technical assistance, resources, and tools to support economic developers build healthy, thriving communities.
Applications for SCALE are now closed.
Program Tracks
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Community Wealth Building
Supports community-led projects that build local wealth and long-term economic sustainability.
Best for: Community-based coalitions -
Commercial Real Estate Development
Supports commercial and mixed-use development projects.
Best for: Anchor-led coalitions
Program Offerings
| Offering | Community Wealth Building | Commercial Real Estate Development |
|---|---|---|
| Expert consultation for action planning, coalition building, and implementation | ✅ | ✅ |
| Fully funded immersive learning trip to another SMC | ✅ | ✅ |
| Virtual convenings and peer exchange opportunities | ✅ | ✅ |
| $5,000 towards community engagement activities | ✅ |
✅ |
| Up to $15,000 in customized technical assistance by provided consultants | ✅ (focused on community wealth) |
✅ (focused on real estate) |
| Up to $15,000 in direct project funding | ✅ | ❌ |
| Predevelopment planning, site control, and ownership modeling | ❌ | ✅ |
| Investment readiness and capital access support | ❌ | ✅ |
Participating SCALE Coalitions
Commercial Real Estate Development (CRE) Track
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Partners: Jackson State University, Hope Credit Union, Washington Addition Neighborhood Association
Project Summary: Support local Black-owned businesses and community organizations along the John R. Lynch Corridor, using commercial and housing initiatives to build long-term community wealth and economic resilience.
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Partners: Delta Compass, Washington County Economic Alliance, City of Greenville
Project Summary: Strengthen economic mobility for Delta residents through small business incubation, workforce development, and community-centered real estate projects that keep capital local.
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Partners: Ranken Technical College, St. Louis Development Corporation, 4theVille
Project Summary: Build neighborhood wealth in The Ville by combining commercial redevelopment with workforce training, local ownership models, and community-led cultural initiatives.
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Partners: Broad Community Connections, Bayou Road Business Association, City of New Orleans Office of Economic Development
Project Summary: Create sustainable wealth along Bayou Road through community-owned commercial assets, cooperative structures, and support for Black entrepreneurs and cultural institutions.
Community Wealth Building (CWB) Track
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Partners: New Joaquín Community Development Corporation, Valley Strong Credit Union, Edge Collaborative
Project Summary: Leading a downtown initiative to acquire and activate properties with projects like a modular soccer park and micro-enterprise incubator, advancing long-term community control and wealth creation for Black, Latino, immigrant, and youth residents.
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Partners: Island CultureZ, NC Growth, Carolina Common Enterprise
Project Summary: Advancing cooperative businesses, collective land ownership, and industrial job opportunities in “Da Island” neighborhood, using resident-led solutions to build a self-determined local economy.
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Partners: York LaunchBox Powered by Penn State, York XL, Redevelopment Authority of the City of York
Project Summary: Replacing out-of-state landlords with local ownership through mixed-use development and community investment models, keeping wealth in the neighborhood and fostering resident-driven growth.
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Partners: The Oikos Institute, Mt. Sinai McCreary Community Center, First Baptist Church
Project Summary: Transforming church-owned land into affordable housing, community spaces, and entrepreneurship hubs, while centering Black and Brown residents in wealth-building and neighborhood revitalization.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) supports efforts to create healthier communities by improving the physical, economic, and social conditions that help residents thrive. With RWJF’s generous support, NGIN’s Small and Midsized Cities (SMC) Hub offers a suite of programs, technical assistance, resources, and tools to support economic developers build healthy, thriving communities.