National Summit Agenda

This course is the foundation for all of CDFA’s educational offerings. The content will help attendees understand the variety of development finance tools available, including bonds, tax credits, tax increment financing (TIF), revolving loan funds (RLFs), federal financing programs, and access to capital lending resources. It is based on CDFA's Practitioner's Guide to Economic Development Finance, which provides the insight and practical information needed to critically understand how economic development is financed and the tools, strategies, and techniques used to build strong communities.

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This course provides a comprehensive introduction to Opportunity Zones 2.0, a powerful federal incentive designed to drive investment in low-income communities. Attendees will learn how to structure investments, navigate compliance and reporting, and align projects with community priorities. The course also covers recent legislative updates, including expanded zone designations and enhanced tax benefits, with a focus on equitable and impactful deployment.

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Join your fellow SSBCI Coalition members for a special in-person session. We’ll hear timely updates, share peer insights from across the country, and discuss emerging trends and challenges in SSBCI implementation. This is a great opportunity to connect face-to-face with colleagues, ask questions, and exchange ideas in a more conversational setting. Whether you’re a longtime member or new to the Coalition, your voice is an important part of the conversation.

Presented by U.S. Bank and the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, this invitation-only reception warmly welcomes the 2025 CDFA Mentorship Program participants to Puerto Rico! Hosted in a relaxed and celebratory setting, this exclusive event brings together mentors and mentees to connect in person, strengthen relationships, and continue building on the foundation they've developed throughout the program. Offering a meaningful moment for shared reflection, peer exchange, and community building within the development finance network, we encourage program particpants to join us as we celebrate the spirit of mentorship, leadership, and collaboration—set against the inspiring backdrop of Puerto Rico’s ongoing story of resilience and innovation.

Start your National Development Finance Summit experience on the right foot by connecting with fellow new members and first-time attendees! This welcome gathering provides an opportunity to meet CDFA staff, Certified Development Finance Professionals, and long-time attendees who can share tips, insights, and insider perspectives to help you make the most of your time at the Summit. Whether you're looking to build your network, get oriented, or simply connect with friendly faces, this is the perfect way to kick off your Summit journey and start forming the lasting relationships that define the CDFA community.

Join us for an unforgettable welcome reception set in beautiful Puerto Rico, where the Caribbean breeze and vibrant local culture create the perfect backdrop for inspiring ideas, reconnecting with colleagues and making new connections. This festive evening is your first chance to experience the energy of the Summit and the warmth of the CDFA community—all in one of the most dynamic and resilient communities in the U.S. Come ready raise a glass, engage, share and set the tone for an impactful 2025 National Development Finance Summit in Puerto Rico!

Puerto Rico stands as a powerful example of how communities can lead in the face of adversity. From natural disasters to economic disruptions, the island has faced complex challenges—yet it continues to forge a path forward through innovation, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to equitable development. As the CDFA National Development Summit begins, this conversation will ground attendees in the values of resilience, equity, and place-based impact—offering a compelling foundation for the discussions and learning ahead.

Puerto Rico is currently facing a dual crisis: rising rates of vacancy and abandonment coupled with an urgent and growing need for affordable housing. This panel will examine innovative partnerships at the intersection of community-centered lending, local government, and nonprofit organizations. Speakers will present case studies that illustrate creative responses to abandonment, including community land banks, housing cooperatives, and municipally led rehabilitation initiatives. The discussion will also highlight how layered financing strategies—such as non-extractive capital and integrated technical assistance—can make small-scale housing redevelopment both viable and sustainable. As this challenge intensifies across the island, and with the conference bringing together a unique mix of government agencies, community development organizations, and CDFIs, this panel offers a timely platform to spotlight local successes and explore scalable, community-driven solutions.

• Luis Orlando Gallardo, Executive Director, Center for Habitat Reconstruction

This session will examine the shifting impact of federal tax policy on clean energy financing, with a focus on changes to the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and related incentives. Topics include the ITC phasedown, evolving eligibility rules across technologies, and new compliance hurdles tied to Foreign Entities of Concern (FEOCs). Panelists will explore how these changes are affecting project timelines, investor interest, legal due diligence, and deal structuring—particularly for distributed and community-scale energy efforts. The discussion will also highlight how public and private finance entities are responding, with insights into transferability markets, credit monetization, and regulatory gaps. Designed for finance, legal, and policy professionals, this session offers practical guidance for navigating clean energy deployment in a changing federal landscape.

• Brian Farnen, General Counsel/Assistant Professor of the Practice at Fairfield University, Connecticut Green Bank

New approaches to financing transportation and other capital infrastructure projects now include evolved project finance structures and public-private partnership (P3) models. These increasingly feature injections of private equity, tax-exempt bond financing, and blended capital stacks. Today, asset managers often oversee these complex deals, coordinating with multidisciplinary teams that include operators, engineers, investors, and legal advisors. This collaborative approach can help governmental entities, universities, and 501(c)(3) concessionaires streamline project delivery and reduce costs. In response to these developments, many states have updated procurement laws to support a wider range of project delivery methods. These include traditional RFQ/RFP/bid processes as well as alternative or hybrid approaches—such as negotiated procurement or design-build-finance models. This panel will explore cutting-edge financing tools and delivery strategies, offering insights into how stakeholders can protect their interests while advancing infrastructure development more efficiently.

• David Rogers, Partner, Frost Brown Todd LLP

Innovation drives deeper impact, stronger financial returns, and greater efficiency—and the community development finance field is rich with practitioners pushing boundaries and testing bold new ideas. This interactive session is designed for true innovators in the space. If you’ve pioneered a creative solution, developed a new financing tool, forged an unexpected partnership, or launched a program that’s changing the game—this is your moment to share it. Pre-registered participants will have 3 minutes to present their innovation in a rapid-fire format. Come prepared to distill your idea into a concise, compelling presentation, and bring a QR code to connect peers to more details, resources, or contact information. This is not a traditional panel—this is a peer-led innovation showcase, curated for those actively shaping the future of community development finance. Come ready to learn, connect, and contribute. Coming soon - advanced registration for presenters.

• Brett Doney, President & Chief Executive Officer, Great Falls Development Authority

This session will examine the funding landscape of the U.S. food system and the persistent barriers that producers and food entrepreneurs face in accessing capital. Drawing on years of grant-funded work and direct engagement with stakeholders, the NASDA Foundation and CDFA will share insights from federal initiatives such as the Northeast Regional Food Business Center and USDA’s 2501 Program, which supports underserved and veteran farmers in states like Minnesota and New Mexico. Speakers will explore systemic challenges—including financing gaps, difficulty navigating institutions, and limited capacity-building resources—and offer practical strategies to address them. Attendees will gain actionable insights and collaborative approaches to help reduce funding inequities and better align policy, investment, and community needs to support a stronger, more inclusive food economy.

• Chris Jones, Senior Director, NASDA - National Association of State Departments of Agriculture

Get ready to step into the ring with proven, knockout strategies to take on climate change and the toughest challenges in brownfield redevelopment. Learn how to dodge the jabs and land a TKO with real-world tactics that deliver results! In this action-packed session, we’ll address the multifaceted hurdles of brownfield reuse. Topics include: Innovative tools and strategies to bob and weave through common redevelopment roadblocks Deal structuring that manages liability and reduces risk Leveraging land banks to reclaim tax-delinquent properties Overcoming property access barriers with creative solutions Fast-tracking permits to keep momentum strong Rezoning as a power punch to unlock redevelopment potential and attract investors Building a business-friendly, transparent, and responsive local government Designing inviting and easy-to-navigate websites for project visibility and community engagement Fostering inclusivity and celebrating local diversity Investing in local talent and workforce development for lasting impact Attendees will walk away with practical tips to spot obstacles before they hit, build a winning redevelopment strategy, and boost your odds of success in the brownfield arena.

• Joel Markland, President, BCA Environmental Consultants, LLC

Across the country, communities are feeling the pressure of rising housing costs, as home prices have increased by an average of 47% since 2019, putting safe, stable housing out of reach for millions. While public programs and private capital have tried to respond, the tools we’re using aren’t meeting the scale or urgency of the crisis. Come to this session to hear how the National Housing Crisis Task Force—a cross-sector group of forward-thinking leaders and practitioners—is working to identify and scale the most effective solutions for increasing housing supply and preserving long-term affordability. The Task Force takes a comprehensive approach, focusing on five key pillars of housing intervention: land, construction, capital, regulation and policy, and governance. By evaluating these areas holistically, the Task Force aims to drive systemic change and help build a more equitable and sustainable housing future in the United States. From rethinking how housing is financed to advancing policies that empower communities to build and preserve homes for all, participants will walk away with fresh insights and practical ideas to take back to their own work on the ground.

Underwriting is an art, not a science. It requires flexibility, foresight, and a deep understanding of a business’s operations and challenges. Even in the most predictable economic environments, effective underwriting can be difficult—and it becomes even more challenging during times of economic uncertainty and change. Come to this workshop session to learn best practices for underwriting, including the key documents to request and important topics to discuss with business owners. Attendees will gain practical strategies to strengthen underwriting during uncertain economic times, such as using industry comparisons and applying risk mitigation techniques. The session will also include a case study demonstrating how to stress test financials, with a step-by-step walkthrough of a breakeven analysis.

• Mary Louk, Director of Credit, Grow America

After a natural disaster, communities need more than emergency relief—they need long-term strategies to rebuild stronger. This session explores how local development finance tools like Tax Increment Financing (TIF), special assessments, and bond-backed revenue strategies can support both recovery and long-term resilience. Drawing on lessons from Joplin, Missouri’s recovery after the 2011 EF5 tornado and ongoing efforts in St. Louis following the May 2025 EF3 tornado, the discussion will highlight how early coordination and smart project structuring can accelerate redevelopment and meet community needs. With federal funding increasingly limited, local governments must turn to their own financial tools to drive reinvestment. This session offers practical, adaptable strategies for navigating the path from crisis to catalytic recovery through local planning and finance.

• Andy Struckhoff, President, PGAV Planners, LLC

Small businesses are vital to economic growth, yet many continue to face significant barriers to accessing the capital they need to thrive. This panel convenes experts actively working to bridge these gaps by developing innovative lending products and flexible financing solutions tailored to the unique needs of diverse small business communities. Panelists will explore how their organizations are partnering with community groups, investors, and government entities to create holistic support systems that extend beyond funding. They will also discuss how evolving risk assessment frameworks are enabling lenders to responsibly expand access to credit, especially for underserved entrepreneurs. In the context of ongoing economic uncertainty and market volatility, the panel will highlight why adaptive financing strategies are more critical than ever. Attendees will gain valuable insights into successful approaches, emerging trends, and collaborative models that can drive more inclusive, resilient small business ecosystems.

• Brinda Ganguly, Executive Vice President, New York City Economic Development Corporation

As development finance professionals work to address the growing demand for affordable housing, bonds remain one of the most powerful and flexible tools available. This session dives deep into the use of tax-exempt and taxable bonds—including multifamily private activity bonds (PABs), general obligation bonds, and housing revenue bonds—to support the financing of new construction, acquisition-rehab, and preservation projects. Attendees will explore real-world examples of bond-financed housing deals, understand how to optimize the use of 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTCs) alongside bond financing, and navigate the latest policy developments affecting volume cap, bond allocation, and compliance. The session will also cover innovations in deal structuring, credit enhancement, and leveraging public-private partnerships to expand impact.

This capstone project will analyze blended capital models used to finance the revitalization of under-resourced commercial corridors for their potential replicability and equitable impact. The project will evaluate financing structures that attract long-term investment and deliver measurable community benefits by examining how public, private, and philanthropic funding can be creatively layered. Through comparative case studies and interviews with investors, developers, and community leaders, it will assess what makes capital stack strategies resilient, replicable, and impactful (particularly in small- to mid-scale neighborhood anchor projects). The project will produce a white paper that will present these case studies and explore potential metrics and KPIs to demonstrate sustained impact over time. Intended for development finance professionals, city leaders, CDFIs, and philanthropic investors, the final deliverable will aim to understand the gap between capital access and sustained economic inclusion and make recommendations to align investment design with durable community outcomes.

• Gabriela Castillo, Coordinator, Office of Economic Development, City of Dallas
• Katie Littman, Deputy Director, Louisville Metro Government
• Sarah Ortner, Senior Associate, Milken Institute
• Fariha Sheikh, Innovation Product Analyst, New Jersey Economic Development Authority

Dive into the dynamic worlds of Fund of Funds (FoF) and Revolving Loan Funds (RLF)—two powerful yet distinct tools driving sustainable impact. This session brings theory to life through compelling success stories that show how these funding models support long-term growth and resilience. Participants will explore how FoFs and RLFs are structured, why they matter, and how they can be used to empower investors, communities, and mission-driven initiatives alike.

• Ernesto Villarini, Managing Director, Community Development Venture Capital Alliance

Puerto Rico stands at a pivotal moment in its economic transformation, and the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program is emerging as a key driver of inclusive and resilient development. With the CDFI Fund’s 2024–2025 NMTC Allocation Application now recognizing U.S. Territories as qualifying “Deep Distress” areas, Community Development Entities (CDEs) have a unique opportunity—and incentive—to direct capital to high-impact projects across the island. This panel will explore how NMTCs are being deployed in Puerto Rico to support community health, education, renewable energy, and small business growth. Panelists will discuss how the new “Deep Distress” designation can enhance allocation competitiveness, and how CDEs can structure deals that meet both compliance and community needs in a territory with distinct legal, economic, and geographic considerations. Attendees will gain practical insights into aligning NMTC investments with Puerto Rico’s development priorities, leveraging federal incentives, and building partnerships that deliver measurable outcomes in deeply distressed communities.

• Brad Elphick, Partner, Novogradac & Company LLP

Tax Increment Financing (TIF) can be a powerful tool for driving local reinvestment—but launching a new TIF district is rarely straightforward. This session offers a deep dive into the real-world challenges and opportunities that communities face when establishing and sustaining TIF districts, particularly in emerging or mid-sized cities. Attendees will explore key issues such as public perception, community skepticism, and the ongoing need for “TIF education” to build understanding and support. Speakers will share insights on navigating the politics, cross-jurisdictional coordination, and research that underpin successful TIF implementation, especially in places new to this tool or facing rapid growth. The session will examine a range of examples—from recently passed legislation enabling TIF use in new geographies, to long-standing programs that offer lessons in sustainability, equity, and impact. Whether you're launching your first TIF district or refining an existing one, this conversation will provide practical strategies and cautionary tales for leveraging TIF effectively and transparently in today’s economic and political climate.

• Jennifer Jackson, Deputy Director, City of Albuquerque

Over 95% of Puerto Rico is located within designated Opportunity Zones, making the potential to leverage OZ investments for infrastructure, housing, and community revitalization significant—but realizing that potential requires a strategic, community-centered approach. This session will explore how Opportunity Zones are evolving nationally and how communities can ensure that these tools deliver meaningful, long-term benefits. We'll examine current trends, recent policy shifts, and innovative strategies aimed at aligning investments with local priorities. Participants will receive an update on “Opportunity Zones 2.0”, including what the new federal guidelines mean for communities and how they may reshape the investment landscape. Impact investors managing OZ funds will share insights from projects across rural and distressed communities, offering real-world examples of both challenges and successes. The conversation will also highlight the growing interest in using OZ capital to support operating businesses, not just real estate, and offer practical guidance for local leaders looking to position their communities for inclusive, impactful investment.

• Lamont Price, Innovation Director, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development

Choose from a selection of premier San Juan restaurants for an evening of networking and local cuisine. Connect with fellow attendees in an inviting atmosphere while enjoying the city’s vibrant flavors. Please note this is a Dutch treat event and preregistration is required.

Brought to you in partnership with Grow America, the Community Capital Collaborative is the premier connection-building event in development finance — a fast-paced, solutions-driven forum designed to ignite partnerships across the capital stack. This signature session convenes capital providers, bond issuers, development finance agencies, project sponsors, and technical assistance experts to foster real-time collaboration, innovation, and deal-making. Structured as a dynamic “speed networking” experience, participants engage in a series of time-bound conversations — each centered on tackling specific financing challenges and surfacing collaborative solutions. Whether you're working to structure a green bond, de-risk a catalytic project, or access flexible financial tools, this is where connections turn into commitments. Where capital, community, and collaboration converge for impact — this event isn’t just about who you meet. It’s about what you build together.

Discover the heart of San Juan on your own terms! This optional, self-paid adventure lets you explore vibrant neighborhoods, local projects, and inspiring community stories—all at your own pace. Whether you’re curious, inspired, or just love a good walk, this is your chance to dive into the city’s spirit however you like.