National Summit Agenda

The Fundamentals of Economic Development Finance Course is the foundation for all of CDFA’s educational offerings. This course will help attendees understand the variety of development finance tools available including bonds, tax credits, tax increment financing (TIF), RLFs, and access to capital lending resources. This is an extra fee event.

View course agenda

The Intro Food Systems Finance Course examines the development finance programs that sustain a local food system and how investments in that system can drive economic development on a broader scale. Topics covered include federal, state, and local sources of capital, stakeholders involved in the financing process, and case studies that showcase the variety of financing programs.

View course agenda

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has distributed nearly $9 billion in State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) funds over the last year. Program managers in states, territories, Washington, D.C., and many Tribal governments have worked hard to launch their SSBCI capital and technical assistance programs - and more work lies ahead. During this meeting, CDFA will host representatives from Treasury who will provide an update on the status of SSBCI, and program managers from across the country will highlight their successes in implementing their respective SSBCI programs. The group also will talk about what program managers and small business stakeholders need as SSBCI implementation continues in the coming years.

• Rachel Reilly, Senior Advisor, Council of Development Finance Agencies
• Mitchell Smith, Senior Director, Government & External Affairs, Council of Development Finance Agencies

• Beth Bafford, VP, Calvert Impact Capital
• Sharmane Brookes, Director of State Small Business Initiative Program, U.S. Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority
• Jennifer Cummings, Director of Business Programs, Finance Authority of Maine
• Brenda Guess, Assistant Secretary, Louisiana Economic Development
• Terrie Riley, Policy Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury
• Jeff Stout, Director, U.S. Department of the Treasury
• Chris Tweedy, President & CEO, Chickasaw Nation

This session will provide a broad overview of SSBCI compliance requirements, the most recent published U.S. Department of the Treasury SSBCI Capital Program Policy Guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions, last updated August 16, 2023.

This session will be led by representatives from the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

• Maima Kaba, Supervisory Compliance Analyst, U.S. Department of the Treasury
• Raisa Mohamud, Policy Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury

Kick-start your National Development Finance Summit by meeting with fellow new members and first-time attendees to maximize your conference experience. Network with some of CDFA’s Development Certified Finance Professionals, staff members, and long-time attendees to start making lasting connections. We want to ensure you have a seamless and successful experience at the Summit.

In keeping with CDFA tradition, the 2023 National Development Finance Summit will commence with some great food and tasty drinks. Join your fellow CDFA friends and colleagues in a casual and festive National Summit atmosphere.

• PIDC (Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation)

Join CDFA as we kick off the 2023 National Development Finance Summit. This year’s presenting sponsor is the PIDC (Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation). CDFA is excited for PIDC President, Jodie Harris to speak and share more about their mission to grow a global economy through inclusive economic development.

• Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA)

• Jodie Harris, President, PIDC (Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation)
• Steve Johnson, Director, Community Development, Colorado Housing and Finance Authority
• Toby Rittner, President & CEO, Council of Development Finance Agencies

Private Activity Bonds (PABs) deliver affordable, tax-exempt financing for a variety of small enterprises, including manufacturing businesses, nonprofits, and first-time farmers. During this panel, local issuers will provide an overview of their Industrial Development Bond, 501(c)3 Bond, and Aggie Bond programs with a discussion about the critical role this type of financing plays in our communities.

• John Wooten, Head of Municipal Placements, Wells Fargo Securities

• Steve Johnson, Director, Community Development, Colorado Housing and Finance Authority
• Michael Slania, Attorney, Industrial Development Authority of Pima County
• Gary Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Chester County Economic Development Council

Cities across the U.S. are finding innovative ways to revitalize sites with real or perceived contamination. In Philadelphia, two former industrial sites are being comprehensively transformed into major economic hubs with the help of federal funding, development finance tools, and private investment. This project spotlight session will feature leadership from the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) discussing the sustainable growth created by the Philadelphia Navy Yard and Lower Schuylkill redevelopment plans.

• Frances Kern Mennone, Managing Director, Frost Brown Todd LLP

• Angie Fredrickson, Vice President of Real Estate Services, PIDC (Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation)
• Kate McNamara, Senior Vice President, Navy Yard, PIDC (Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation)

The State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) is a $10 billion program providing capitalization funds for small business financing and technical assistance programs. Late 2022 and 2023 saw the allocation of over $8 billion for the Capital and Technical Assistance Grant Programs to states, territories, and Tribal governments. During this session, jurisdictional program managers will present their strategies for distributing capital funds while also engaging and serving very small businesses and SEDI-owned businesses as their programs enter their second year.

• John Saris, Finance Manager, Business Oregon

• William Cummins, Executive State Director, Alabama Small Business Development Center
• Bryan Fike, Research Officer, Drexel University
• Christina Fuentes, VP of Community Development and Business Development, New Jersey Economic Development Authority
• Melanie Mendiola, Administrator/Chief Executive Officer, Guam Economic Development Authority

CDFA and its coalition partners submitted a $2 billion proposal to create a Clean Investment Accelerator for Development Finance Agencies (DFA Accelerator). With this funding, the DFA Accelerator would help DFAs build their capacity to finance qualified projects that reduce or avoid greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants in low-income and disadvantaged communities. Join CDFA as we present our DFA Accelerator program and learn about the opportunities it creates for DFAs.

• Michael Pehur, Development Finance Consulting Director, Duane Morris Government Strategies
• Rachel Reilly, Senior Advisor, Council of Development Finance Agencies
• Toby Rittner, President & CEO, Council of Development Finance Agencies
• Mitchell Smith, Senior Director, Government & External Affairs, Council of Development Finance Agencies

New Market Tax Credits (NMTCs) are among the most impactful financing tools for investing in Indian Country. NMTCs can support a wide range of economic development including for-profit businesses, medical clinics, real estate development, and more. This session will explore how tribal communities have successfully engaged NMTCs, with a discussion on deal structuring and combining NMTCs with other forms of capital.

• Ira Weinstein, Principal, CohnReznick LLP

• Paul Anderson, Vice President, Rapoza Associates
• Laura McRae, Loan Program Manager, Native American Development Corporation

Revolving loan funds (RLFs) have historically provided attainable financing to entities that are unable to acquire traditional bank lending. RLF programs are increasingly being used to offer affordable capital to childcare centers, nonprofits, and other community-based organizations - especially as these types of enterprises continue to recover from the pandemic. Join development finance experts for a conversation about how RLFs are expanding access to capital for a variety of critical needs within our communities.

• Jeffrey Blumenfeld, Of Counsel, Kutak Rock LLP

• Karen Bustard, Senior Program Manager, Reinvestment Fund
• Jennifer LaHatte, Managing Director of Policy, Research, and Government Affairs, Maryland Department of Commerce
• Conor McCarthy, Director of Lending and Portfolio Operations, Grow America

Join us in honoring our Lifetime Achievement and Distinguished Development Finance Agency award winners! We are excited to celebrate their extensive accomplishments in economic development and their profound impact on communities across the country.

• New Jersey Economic Development Authority

• Darla Garrett, Director, Maryland Department of Commerce
• Ariel Miller, Senior Director, Research & Technical Assistance, Council of Development Finance Agencies
• Toby Rittner, President & CEO, Council of Development Finance Agencies
• Tim Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer, New Jersey Economic Development Authority

Bond finance is a critical source of capital for addressing the shortage of housing across the country. This form of financing can be used for the acquisition, construction, and rehabilitation of multifamily and single-family housing, often at both affordable and below-market-rate pricing. Expert panelists will discuss the essential role that bonds play in housing development and present case studies demonstrating the importance of utilizing this foundational financing tool in your community.

• David Safer, Managing Director, U.S. Bank

• Christopher Hicks, President & Vice Chairman, Provident Resources Group Inc.
• Lauren Mack, Attorney, Law Office of Lauren Mack, P.C.
• Erwin Tam, Director of Financing, California Housing Finance Agency

In the more than ten years since its inception, Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) has grown significantly in terms of volume, geographic spread, and diversity of application. This session will offer a national update on the current state of the PACE market, including insights on how the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) can be leveraged to benefit all sectors of the commercial industry. Distinguished speakers will highlight notable PACE activities in recent years, demonstrating best practices that contribute to the success of these deals.

• Antonio Portuondo, Managing Director, The Bank of New York Mellon

• Martin Gitlin, Attorney, Clean Energy Counsel
• Colin Kalvas, Partner, Bricker Graydon
• James Vergara, Chief Investment Officer/Chief Operating Officer, Home Run Financing

Communities have used Tax Increment Finance (TIF) for decades to provide capital for improvements in distressed or underdeveloped areas where development would not otherwise occur. TIF is now being used to drive some of the country’s most impactful retail revitalization projects, with a focus on supporting local businesses and ensuring sustainable economic growth. Join this session to learn how municipalities and the development finance industry are supporting efforts to spur economic development through retail with TIF.

• Karl Marschel, Partner, Arnold & Porter

• Patricia Huddle, President, Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority

Join the 2023 Caren S. Franzini Fellows as they share their recent research exploring challenges that small businesses face when accessing capital. The Fellows will be presenting their white paper with findings on best practices, strategies, and initiatives to remove barriers and improve the availability of financing options for small businesses.

• Kristopher Wahlers, Partner, Ice Miller LLP

• Olivia Barone, Senior Project Officer, Clean Energy Program / Economic Transformation, New Jersey Economic Development Authority
• Neyli Castillo Suarez, Interim Lead Program Administrator, Recovery Programs, New Mexico Finance Authority
• Tonita McKnight, Business Development Officer, ACT! Albany Community Together, Inc.
• Zaba Rashan, Community Development Specialist, City of San Diego

The Inflation Reduction Act created a first-of-its-kind, national Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) with a $27 billion investment to mobilize financing and private capital for clean technology projects. This forum will bring together applicants for the GGRF’s Clean Community Investment Accelerator (CCIA) program and the National Clean Investment Fund (NCIF) to discuss the impact and deployment of these funds.

• Anna Horevay, Partner, McGuireWoods LLP

• Beth Bafford, VP, Calvert Impact Capital
• Stephen K Brown II, Founder & Board Officer, Clean Energy Fund of Texas, Inc.
• Rachel Reilly, Senior Advisor, Council of Development Finance Agencies

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) passed in 2022 with $270 billion in tax incentives for addressing climate change through advancing energy efficiency, building clean energy infrastructure, decarbonizing target industries, and investing in energy security. Attendees in this session will hear a status update on the deployment of IRA tax credits and a panel discussion on strategies for leveraging the IRA toward local economic development.

• Andy Struckhoff, President, PGAV Planners, LLC

• Matt Barnhill, Senior Manager, CohnReznick LLP

Join Toby Rittner, CDFA's President & CEO, for an early evening reception and share your stories about what you've learned at the CDFA National Summit so far. Come for the networking, and stay for the drinks!

• Maryland Department of Commerce

The 118th Congress has brought renewed energy and ideas for addressing economic development challenges in the United States, including housing shortages, manufacturing and food supply chain disruptions, and inflation. Grab some breakfast and join CDFA's Government Affairs team for a discussion on the state of the pending legislation that could impact the development finance industry and how the 2024 election may impact these initiatives.

• Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA)

• Mitchell Smith, Senior Director, Government & External Affairs, Council of Development Finance Agencies

• Eric Silva, CDFA Legislative Representative, North South Government Strategies

The New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program is a powerful financing tool that expands opportunity for underserved people and communities who experience significant challenges accessing the capital needed to invest in transformative economic development projects. But this financing tool is complex and can be daunting for communities that have not yet taken advantage of NMTCs.

This workshop will walk attendees through the process of evaluating whether this type of financing is a good fit for a given project and what steps to take to pursue NMTC. The discussion will include the criteria for this financing program, the basic structure of these deals, and the players involved in NMTC deals. Presenters will break down the key steps for pursuing NMTCs and the network of people who must be engaged to successfully utilize these tax credits in your community.

• Broadstreet Impact Services

• Ariel Miller, Senior Director, Research & Technical Assistance, Council of Development Finance Agencies

• Tabitha Atkins, Founder and CEO, The Atkins Group
• David Clower, President/Chief Executive Officer, National Trust Community Investment Corporation (NTCIC)
• Bernel Hall, President & Chief Executive Officer, New Jersey Community Capital
• Daniel Kolodner, Partner, Klein Hornig LLP
• Donna Nuccio, Managing Director, Broadstreet Impact Services

Applying for federal grants is a competitive process that requires a significant amount of time and planning prior to submission. It is essential for applicants to know how to navigate the available funding sources and prepare the necessary information to apply well in advance. This session will provide guidance and best practices on the various components of a federal grant application. This includes project planning and timeline development, budgeting, establishing partnerships, and conducting the background research and assessments necessary to justify the investment.

Join CDFA for a federal grant writing session focused on best practices for applying for federal grants. Speakers in this session will cover strategies, themes, and trends to write successful grant proposals for funding opportunities across federal agencies. During this workshop, attendees will have a chance to share their challenges and ask questions.

• Mitchell Smith, Senior Director, Government & External Affairs, Council of Development Finance Agencies

• Alma Fargason, Lead Planner, WSP USA
• Joan Kato, Collaborative Campaign Director, GreenLatinos
• Emil Liszniansky, Principal, Envision Group LLC
• Jarrod Loadholt, Partner, Ice Miller LLP
• Collin Willard, Grants Specialist/Grant Assistance Program, Biden School of Public Policy at the University of Delaware