Join NLC for an NLC University workshop and forum in downtown Raleigh focused on how we can build future-ready local communities. The event will feature a pre-event workshop presented by NLC University, followed by a special two-day forum focused on the future landscape for local economies.
The NLC University Navigating Municipal Finance Opportunities Workshop will focus on strengthening local understanding of federal funding tools and investment strategies. This workshop is designed to equip you with the insight needed to ask the right questions, support smart investments, and help move critical projects forward.
The Local Economic Futures Forum brings city leaders and other stakeholders together to explore the economic forces shaping cities, towns and villages, ranging from demographic shifts to artificial intelligence.
Local leaders in the economic development and/or municipal finance space are invited to attend one or both. Make your selection during registration.
What is NLC University?
NLC University is NLC’s hub for education and leadership development. Programs are designed to offer local elected leaders and municipal staff with the learning opportunities needed to positively impact governance and innovation in communities of every size.
Schedule at a Glance
Monday, Feb. 9
NLC University Workshop: Navigating Municipal Finance Opportunities
9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Market Hall
Cost: Free
Tuesday, Feb. 10
Local Economic Futures Forum
9:30 AM – 12 PM
Learning Journey
Bus departs from Sheraton Raleigh Hotel
2 – 7 PM
Opening Session and Welcome Reception
Sheraton Raleigh Hotel
Cost: Free
Wednesday, Feb. 11
Local Economic Futures Forum
8 AM – 2 PM
Programming
Market Hall
Cost: Free
Who Can Attend?
NLC University’s Navigating Municipal Finance Opportunities Workshop is open to local elected officials and municipal staff in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia as well as Local Economic Futures Forum participants.
The Local Economic Futures Forum is open to municipal staff and elected leaders who work in economic development or municipal finance.
What You’ll Learn
In the NLCU Workshop, participants will explore:
- New Markets Tax Credits: How these federal incentives can attract private investment into your community.
- Opportunity Zones: What the designations mean and how cities can potentially benefit.
- Federal Grant Oversight: Proven strategies for managing and maximizing existing grant programs.
During the Local Economic Futures Forum, attendees will:
- Highlight where cities are making progress today, alongside challenges facing local economies.
- Explore what’s coming next in the local economic landscape and identify where current systems fall short.
- Identify priorities that can shape near- and long-term local economic strategy.
Why Attend
- To help guide funding decisions in your city.
- Engage directly with state leadership and municipal finance experts.
- Connect with elected officials from across the region facing similar challenges and opportunities.
NLC University Facilitators
Monica Blanton
Monica Blanton currently leads the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) division for BrightBridge Capital, a certified CDFI and non-profit commercial lender focused on supporting economic development.
Since 2005, Monica has worked in all aspects of NMTC operations and plays a key role in BridgeBridge’s success in being awarded over $300 million in federal and $28 million in state NMTC allocations and
deploying approximately $173 million to date. She was also instrumental in the CDFI certification process and business expansion, which has resulted in raising more than $190 million of capital.
Preston Frick
Preston Frick serves as a Manager at the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA) within the Knowledge and Networks Division. In this role, Preston works to connect development finance professionals in the areas of access to capital, opportunity zones and federal funding opportunities. Preston helps deliver opportunity zones and access-to-capital programming while leading FedFund Briefings for CDFA.
Prior to joining CDFA, he served as Grants Coordinator for the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC). Preston helped MORPC become an EDA Economic Development District and assisted Central Ohio communities in applying for federal funding opportunities. His career has focused on community and economic development in academic and regional planning settings. He obtained a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service in 2022.
Clarence Anthony
CEO & Executive Director
National League of Cities
Jeanne Milliken Bonds
Senior Executive and Director of Municipal Programs & Strategy & NLC University
National League of Cities
Questions?
Feb. 9
NLC University
Workshop
Contact the NLCU team:
202-902-9467
Feb. 10 – 11
Local Economic Futures Forum
Contact NLC’s Entreprenuership and Economic Development team: