Legacy Forward is a technical assistance cohort program that aims to support small and mid-size cities in shifting from startup-focused strategies to long-term business retention and growth. Through a national learning cohort, city leaders will learn to identify and support legacy and second-stage businesses, particularly those led by under-resourced entrepreneurs, facing challenges such as workforce shortages, supply chain disruptions, or ownership transitions. The program will culminate by producing a replicable toolkit enabling cities nationwide to preserve established businesses and the community wealth they generate.
Through regular virtual convenings and expert-led webinars, cities that apply and are selected for the cohort will connect with one another and ultimately build the capacity to support more legacy and second-stage businesses in their communities, with intentionality imbued with innovation.
The application window for this program ended on Sun., April 19, 2026.
This cohort is made possible by the support of the Nasdaq Foundation.
NLC Announces 2026-2027 Legacy Forward Cohort
Find out which cities NLC selected to be part of Legacy Forward’s inaugural cohort. Also, leaders weigh in on why supporting long-standing local businesses is critical to strengthening local economies and sustaining community identity.