Equitable Recovery for Small and Midsize Cities

Many small and midsize cities (population between 50,000 and 500,000) have declining or stagnant economic trajectories. The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced new challenges such as inadequate investment resources, exacerbated and systemic inequality and unclear pathways for recovery. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Healthy Communities seeks to create the conditions that enable all residents in small and midsize cities to reach their best possible health and well-being. Central to this effort are approaches which unite community development principles and economic development practice, with a focus on elevating community voice and racial equity.

New Growth Innovation Network (NGIN) is working to identify innovative practices, sustainable models and enabling policies for inclusive community and economic development for small and midsize cities (SMCs). NGIN has completed desk research, interviewed 50+ expert stakeholders and hosted four topic-based roundtables.  NGIN is presently doing deep dives in six SMCs and engaging an expert Advisory Panel to enrich the learnings.