CDFA - Research & Technical Assistance

Research & Technical Assistance...

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The Research and Technical Assistance (RTA) program is the nation’s first non-profit information and consulting service solely dedicated to development finance. With unparalleled access to the nation’s top agencies and professionals in development finance, RTA delivers the association’s experience to the industry at-large.

Our research features include the original CDFA articles and presentations, and the ever-growing Online Resource Database. Finance professionals also receive unlimited access to CDFA Update, a monthly e-newsletter highlighting trends, best practices and interesting projects. CDFA also provides up to the minute news and headlines from the development finance industry online daily as part of the associations dedication to keeping professionals informed and engaged.

Technical assistance is a fee for service program that offers customized strategies, training and solutions for development finance organizations and entities of all kinds. Communities, organizations, and other industry professionals may enlist RTA to help:
CDFA utilizes its rich history, in-house resource databases, and broad membership base to address issues in a variety of development finance sectors. Our areas of knowledge include:

Bond financing
Revolving loan funds
Tax increment financing
Tax credits and incentives
Small business assistance
Brownfields finance
Federal financing programs
Microloan programs
Seed and startup capital
Special improvement districts
Mezzanine funds
Business finance

CDFA technical assistance is available at a competitive, reasonable cost. As a national nonprofit association serving the development finance industry, our goal is to maximize the effectiveness of the industry’s professionals and organizations. For an alternative source of development finance assistance, turn to CDFA’s RTA program.

AVAILABLE SERVICES

CDFA research and technical assistance services range from custom research, reports and information briefs to on-site advisory seminars, workshops, and program assessments. For more information, email CDFA or call (216) 920-3073.

Advisory Seminars and Workshops
CDFA has conducted advisory seminars, workshops and training programs across the country on a variety of development finance tools. Seminars may focus on financing tools particular to a certain city, region or state, drawing in experts who can share top-notch insights with your audience. CDFA assembles a team of specialists to conduct a one to two day event in the host community, and can accommodate groups large and small. See our past projects page for a list and descriptions of the seminars we have developed and executed.

Custom Research and Studies
CDFA can conduct an in-depth study of a national trend, inter-disciplinary relationship, or development finance program. Our research methods include extensive interviewing, surveying and data collection, and we can provide publication-style products of considerable length and depth. Finished products draw from practices, practitioners, and other resources that best serve the clients' needs, with a high level of personal attention and face-to-face meetings. CDFA can also help promote these works to a wide range of audiences, in order to spread the word about important policy statements and studies.

RTA Best Practice Briefs
Looking for a resource tailored to the situation facing your organization or city? RTA Best Practice Briefs provide best practices and innovative programs in select areas of development finance. CDFA can assess the circumstances in your community and create Best Practice Briefs that identify programs, resources and contacts that help address these concerns. These ideas and resources may be just what you need to jumpstart a program, build a partnership, or advance a policy at the local or state level. We can also tack on an informational session for your group, including question and answers with experienced practitioners and policymakers.

Program Application Guidelines
CDFA has a wealth of knowledge and experience with the fundamentals and guidelines for the use of development finance tools like revolving loan funds and small issue IDBs. Our Program Application Guidelines outline the basic mechanics of a particular tool or tools, plus step-by-step instructions for establishing, implementing, and maintaining the program. This is another service that can be reinforced by a presentation or seminar from a team of seasoned development finance professionals primed to share their insights with you and your team.

Subcontracting
CDFA can act as a subcontractor on large scale projects that require technical assistance or research on financing aspects of the contract. Drawing on the resources of CDFA can save larger consultants time and money, as we have exclusive access to information about finance agencies, authorities, and programs nationwide. Our network can deliver key information quickly, and we can marshall resources from our long history of relationships within the development finance industry. View our past projects page to see how we worked with ACCRA to provide strategic planning recommendations for the Arizona Department of Commerce.

Additional Capacity
Many clients have varying needs beyond or outside our listed services. CDFA can adapt our programs to fit these needs and/or draw in partners that can strengthen our capacity. For more information, email CDFA or call (216) 920-3073



Council of Development Finance Agencies
815 Superior Avenue
Suite 1301
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
Phone: (216) 920-3073
Fax: (216) 771-4938
E-mail: info@cdfa.net