Strengthening & promoting cities as centers of opportunity, leadership, and governance

Economy & Jobs

Economic vitality and competitiveness are essential to the quality of life in cities, towns and villages.  Localities that thrive in today?s global economy focus on job creation, retention and training, investment through venture capital, foreign direct investment, commercial research and development, tourism and entertainment, and the infrastructure to support these assets. 

The National League of Cities provides an array of programs and resources to help municipalities achieve economic well-being, including assistance with downtown revitalization strategies; a Workforce Development and Poverty Reduction Project; guidance on transitional jobs through the Institute for Youth, Education, and Families; international programs exploring global commerce, investment and tourism promotion, and connections to local leaders outside the U.S.; and research, policy development, and advocacy activities on topics such as social equity, job development and retention, international trade agreements and the financial health of and outlook for cities.

Click here for the new Fiscal Year 2007 Budget Proposal for Housing.

Advocacy
2006 National Municipal Policy (NMP)
2006 Community and Economic Development (CED) Policy Chapter
2006 CED Resolutions

Economic Vitality 
NLC believes it is time to look at the economic challenges and opportunities facing America from the perspective of the cities and towns where people live and work, and to build a better grasp of the fundamental national significance of promoting economic vitality in local economies.

To learn more, visit the Economic Vitality web site.

Programs & Services
America Downtown

Poverty Reduction and Workforce Development
Racial Justice and Race Relations
Rural Communications Program
International Programs
YEF Institute - Transitional Jobs for Hard to Employ Residents

Research
State of America's Cities 2005
Research Update No. 1. August 2005
Economic Vitality Data Sheet
Leaving Young Workers Behind 2003
Financing Transitional Jobs Programs: A Strategic Guide to Federal Funding Sources 2003

Nation's Cities Weekly Articles
8/08/2005  NLC Urges Bush to Convene Summit on Economic Vitality
6/27/2005  Forum Calls for Action, Cooperation on Local Economic Vitality

City Practices
City Practices describes local government programs and practices in cities and towns across the nation on a variety of topics like economic development, workforce development, business attraction, and employment and training programs in local government.
View a few sample descriptions or search the entire City Practices collection.

Committees and Councils
Community and Economic Development (CED) Policy and Advocacy Committee
Finance, Administration, and Intergovernmental Relations (FAIR) Policy and Advocacy Committee
Community and Regional Development Panel
Council on Youth, Education, and Families

Upcoming Events
September 7-9, 2006:  CED Fall Steering Committee Meeting, Milwaukee, WI

Use the site search on the left for more information on this topic.

 

National League of Cities

1301 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Suite 550 · Washington, DC 20004
Phone:(202) 626-3000 · Fax:(202) 626-3043
info@nlc.org · www.nlc.org
Privacy Policy