Notes from the Field
-
When Benefits Cliffs Turn Raises into Penalties, Local and National Efforts Help Workers and Employers Navigate Options
Getting a raise is usually a good thing. But what if it comes at the cost of losing a benefit that you rely on? Here’s what some organizations are doing to help workers navigate the path to economic independence. Read More
-
Smallest Firms Reveal Barriers to Economic Inclusion: Lessons from Pandemic Support Programs
Data from the Small Business Credit Survey and insights from community-based organizations prove to be invaluable tools for helping small businesses access the credit they need. Read More
-
Small Businesses in Our Region Appear to Have Had Greater Access to Traditional Credit Compared to the Nation...but Inequalities among Firms Persist
Nearly 18 months from the outbreak of COVID-19, small employer firms—businesses with fewer than 500 employees—continue to cope with the extra challenges the pandemic brought. How are they weathering the pandemic? Read More
-
Access to Broadband is Essential for Positive Economic Outcomes
Though the pandemic has put the spotlight on the issue of limited broadband access in some regions, the Federal Reserve System has been studying it for years. Recent analyses explore the relationship between broadband access and employment. Read More
-
Shared Equity Affordable Homes Unlock Racial Equity for All
Home prices are rising, pricing out many potential homebuyers. This alternative homeownership model keeps homes affordable for lower-income buyers and increasingly for buyers of color. Read More
-
Building Resilient Communities Takes a Network: Group Shares Success Stories, Resources, and Opportunities to Connect
Communities and regional partners in eastern Kentucky are joining forces—sharing resources, solutions, and stories of success—to promote a resilient economy. Read More
-
Looking for Opportunities to Advance? The Occupational Mobility Explorer Can Help
Both jobseekers and workforce development professionals can use this interactive tool to turn job skills into higher-paying positions. How will you use it? Read More
-
Closing the Racial Wealth Gap One Homeowner and Good Job at a Time: Toledo Taps Existing Resources to Increase Equity
Think you don’t have the resources to increase equity and inclusion? Maybe you already have what you need. Toledo’s approach makes use of financial resources and partnerships already in place. Read More
-
Feedback Appreciated: What Community Members Told Us about Modernizing the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)
Discussions to share info and seek public comment on proposed changes to modernize the CRA revealed two things key for ensuring access to capital for all people and communities. Read More
-
Investing in Community-Driven Solutions Key to Pandemic Recovery
Communities know what improvements they need, but many lack resources or infrastructure to act. This policy tool, and an example of where it is working, can help communities put solutions into action. Read More
-
CRA, Racism & the Federal Reserve: A Midwest Perspective
The Community Reinvestment Act is up for its first significant revision in 25 years. It’s important we optimize this tool to address systemic disinvestment in lower-income and minority communities. Read More
-
The CRA Is Important for Underserved Communities, and Your Input Can Help Modernize It
The Fed is seeking to modernize the Community Reinvestment Act in a way that significantly expands financial inclusion, and you can have a say in how it’s done. Read More
-
Equality Is Not Enough: Reflections on the Paycheck Protection Program
Our society often designs and implements policies that prioritize equality, but prioritizing equity or justice would better address the disparities between racial groups. Read More
-
Partnership Connects Pittsburgh’s Small Businesses to Paycheck Protection Program Funds
Community partnerships are essential for local responsiveness during a crisis. Just one such Pittsburgh partnership led to saving more than 100 jobs and securing more than $1.3 million in PPP funds. Read More
-
Community Support Gives Small Businesses Strength in College Hill, Ohio
Through investment in its community, one organization is helping its business district remain a local economic driver—even during a pandemic. Read More
-
Skills Are Bridges Not Gaps: A Skills-Based Approach for Transitioning Workers to Higher-Paying Occupations
Skills-based hiring practices—those that prioritize skills necessary to succeed in a role over formal educational credentials—show potential for securing higher positions for lower-wage workers and helping employers get the workers they need. Read More
-
An Uncommon Crisis: COVID-19 and its Disproportionate Impacts on Vulnerable Communities
When we asked community partners how COVID-19’s disruptions are impacting low- and moderate income families and neighborhoods and traditionally underserved communities, they heard this: the virus is impacting the already vulnerable disproportionately, and in a way that accentuates existing disparities. Read More
-
Help for Those Facing Eviction Increases to Meet the Challenge of COVID-19
With businesses closed and orders to shelter in place, many tenants—especially those with low- to moderate-incomes—are finding themselves unemployed, unable to pay their rents, and subject to eviction. There are resources to help. Read More
-
An Unfamiliar Champion in the Fight: Black Homeownership Has an Enduring Advocate
By raising awareness of issues that challenge black homeownership today, the Cleveland Realtist Association helps anyone—but black consumers in particular—buy property and sustain the benefits of homeownership in any community. Read More
-
Collaboration in Cuyahoga County Leads to Housing Funding
As a worldwide pandemic adds strain to already vulnerable LMI communities, one new program will create access to funding for home repairs and purchases. Read More
-
For Too Many Minority Workers, Earnings Still Don’t Add Up
Gaps in earnings—the annual wage of workers aged 16 and older—matter. While there are some reasons for optimism, there is also a need for ongoing vigilance about how this economy is playing out in real time for minority workers and their families. Read More
-
Profit with a Purpose: Manufacturing Success for Cincinnati’s Second-Chance Citizens
For the formerly incarcerated, questions abound: What is the next step? Where can I get a job? How can I begin rebuilding my life? One Cincinnati company is providing answers. Read More
-
Making Change: Addressing Skills-training and Employment Needs for Returning Citizens
Finding a quality job is important for both formerly incarcerated individuals and the communities in which they live. One Cleveland-area program is helping, but the need for additional support for this vulnerable population is great. Read More
-
Proposed Solutions for Breaking the Cycle of Poverty
How can we minimize the barriers that trap people in the cycle of poverty? The answer, at least in part, is a combination of providing access to resources and transportation. Read More
-
Looking beyond Data to Understand Economic Mobility
When living on the “wrong” side of a road can make a world of a difference, the proactive and hyper-local work of community development practitioners is essential for sparking change. Read More
-
Homestead Program Is a Land Contract Success Story
Land contracts, when appropriately administered, allow low-income individuals who might not qualify for conventional bank-financed mortgages a chance to become homeowners. Read More
-
Operationalizing Inclusion: Tools for Smaller Cities
Smaller cities face some of the same challenges that larger cities do. Here are three tools some smaller cities are employing to promote economic inclusion among their residents. Read More
-
The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) for Smaller Communities and Rural Regions
What’s one key element to drive funding to low-income areas of the country? Meaningful and productive partnerships between banks and community-based organizations (CBOs). Read More
-
Putting Middle Neighborhoods Back on the Map
Supporting the neighborhoods that are home to as many as 40 percent of residents of urban areas has become a movement. Read More
-
Why We All Should Care about Lead
Though the need to remediate lead seems to be a public health issue with a housing-based solution, the impacts of this crisis are far-reaching. Lead poisoning impacts all of us. The more people and organizations see themselves as part of the solution, the more likely we’ll find success. Read More
-
Rail~Volution Rides into Pittsburgh
The 2018 Rail~Volution conference brought together 1,000 transportation stakeholders to discuss transportation challenges and solutions. Increasing access and integrating technology were two areas of focus this year. Read More
-
Defining the Challenge: Promoting Economic Mobility and Resilience
To promote economic mobility and resilience among the underserved, an organization must first decide how it defines these terms. The definitions played a prominent role at a recent community development conference. Read how. Read More
-
Location, Location, Labor: What We’re Learning from Small and Midsize Urban Manufacturers in Ohio
While locating in an urban area helps, many small and midsize manufacturers still struggle to find suitable employees. What other barriers do they face, and how can local leaders and service providers help? Find out. Read More
-
Investing in Coal Country
The Central Appalachian region is currently experiencing an economic transition. Philanthropic organizations are working to overcome the region’s challenges by capitalizing on its natural assets. Read More
-
Reflections on Discriminatory Lending: Past and Present
What have we learned about discriminatory lending practices 50 years after the Fair Housing Act was passed? For one, it's very important to have complete data to make a conclusive claim. Read More
-
Trouble finding workers? The answer may be transit.
In the latest entry in their Notes from the Field blog, the Community Development Department discusses job access—in this case, how people get to work. The problem is a persistent one for low-income workers across the country and was highlighted during a recent trip to Dayton, Ohio. Read More
-
ETOD Event Highlights Distinct Solutions for Similar Challenges
Many communities continue to tackle the issues of gentrification and displacement. The East End of Pittsburgh, for example, has benefitted from significant investment as of late, including new commercial and residential development, along with investments in transit. Read More
-
An Opportunity to Enhance Collaboration and Cooperation within the Northeast Ohio Workforce
Here's what I learned on my second day as an intern at the Cleveland Fed. Read More
-
Why does the Fed engage in economic discussions with an audience critical of its policies?
The economic recovery and Fed monetary policy were the main focus of a public forum hosted by Common Good Ohio on a Saturday in early May. Read More
-
Connecting health and community development in the Rust Belt
Addressing startling health disparities within small geographies was the focus of the latest "Redefining Rustbelt: A City Exchange of Strategies." Read More
-
Cooperating at the Tri-State Shale Summit
States typically compete for jobs and investment; this event was different. Find out how. Read More
-
In Partnership We Trust
In our work examining industry sector partnerships, trust among members is often cited by participants as a critical ingredient to the consortium's success. Read More
-
A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Economic Development
Creating a long-term regional strategy is an essential piece of any economic development plan. Read More
-
The Redefining Rustbelt Series Talks Broadband
In May, I had the opportunity to attend a videoconference in the series "Redefining Rustbelt: A City Exchange of Strategies." Read More
-
Growing Pains
I’ve had the good fortune to be part of the Vacant and Abandoned Property Action Council (VAPAC) since its inception 10 years ago. Read More
-
A Trip to the State Capital with the Ohio Workforce Coalition
Senior Policy Analyst Kyle Fee learns more about the state's workforce development efforts. Read More
-
Small Business Alternative Lenders
With lending to small business by traditional lenders still well below pre-recession levels, where are small businesses turning for access to capital? Read More
-
Decisions Based on Facts, not Folklore
What wage does someone need to make in order to afford a 2-bedroom apartment in Northern Kentucky? Read More
-
Partnering for Healthier Communities
The goals and challenges of community development and public health are similar and closely entwined. Read More
-
Cincinnati Youth Leaders Shine at Summit
A summit gives young leaders in Cincinnati important lessons. Read More
-
The Process and the Product
The process for resolving complex policy issues can be as important as the outcome. Read More
-
The Tri-Bank Partnership with the Appalachia Funders Network
A partnership involving the AFN and three Reserve Banks is accelerating economic recovery in the Central Appalachia region. Read More
-
The Face of a Policy Issue
Policy issues are often complex and intertwined. Read More
-
Expanding My Horizons, Right Here in Cincinnati
Leadership Cincinnati helps young professionals develop skills to contribute to guiding the Cincinnati region into the future. Read More
-
Wealth Building: Keeping It Local
Many anchor institutions support the surrounding communities by hiring and buying local. Read More
-
Of Youth and Joy and Dreams Fulfilled
East End Community Center in Dayton works toward brighter futures for young residents. Read More
-
Getting our SWAG On
Cuyahoga County’s Strategic Workforce Alignment Group helps link employer needs with training curricula. Read More
-
A Look Back
We released impactful housing research, continued our ongoing due diligence into workforce development issues, and hosted successful public programs. Read More
-
Road Trip: Hearing from Pennsylvania’s Workforce Developers
Structured listening sessions help us understand labor-market skill mismatches among young workers in Pennsylvania. Read More
-
CityLink Bundles Up
Community development organizations are increasingly adopting the practice of bundling services. Read More
-
Lessons in Rowing in the Same Direction
Stakeholders in Erie, Pennsylvania, are collaborating on initiatives to address the region’s challenges. Read More
-
It’s (Still) About the Data
Data networks, such as Case Western Reserve University’s NEO CANDO system, are an invaluable resource in the field of community development. Read More
-
Wooing Key Strategic Partners
Some funders are employing a holistic model for community development projects. Read More
-
Welcome to Notes from the Field
Our “non-blog-blog” is one way we share what we learn from outreach and other informal meetings across the Fourth District. Read More