New Resource to Bolster Inclusive Economic Growth and Shared Prosperity for US Small and Medium-Sized Cities
New Growth Innovation Network (NGIN) is launching a specialized hub with dedicated resources to drive inclusive economic development, advance racial equity, and reduce health inequities in US cities with populations ranging from 50,000 to 500,000 residents, developed with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
“Our commitment to supporting healthy communities is rooted in equity. NGIN has the expertise and track record in promoting economic and community development partnerships to seek bold and lasting change to advance health and racial equity. We are thrilled to fund NGIN on this important initiative and its powerful coalition of local economic and community development partners,” said Abbey Cofsky, Managing Director, Programs, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Leaders from small and medium-sized cities (SMCs) across the United States will be invited to both shape and benefit from this initiative. Advantages for participants include peer learning opportunities, exchange delegations, in-person convenings and connections to capital.
Have your say in shaping the SMC Hub! Share your thoughts here.
Inclusive Capital in Small and Midsize Cities
Through generous funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, NGIN undertook a practitioner-led exploration to identify what is holding back investments that advance inclusive growth in small and midsize cities and recommend approaches to overcome these capital barriers. These insights build on the earlier report: Commitment, Capacity and Capital.
Commitment, Capacity & Capital
Uplifting racial equity in small and midsize cities (defined as population 50,000 – 500,000) cannot be an endeavor of just a few individuals or organizations. Undoing decades of systemic racism and embedding new policies and structures that prevent harm in the future requires cross-sector collaboration between development professionals, city and community leaders, businesses, and myriad other stakeholders.
Through generous funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, NGIN built a practitioner-led exploration of why the fields of community development and economic development struggle to collaborate and whether uniting these two practices might elevate community voice and uplift racial equity in small and midsize cities.
Interim Findings
NGIN presented its interim findings and hosted a virtual event in April 2021 with panelists Kuma Roberts (Tulsa), Charles Wood (Chattanooga) & Rachel Bridenstine (Akron)