The CDFA-NASDA Foundation Socially Disadvantaged Farmers & Ranchers Access to Capital Toolkit informs practitioners working in agriculture and economic development about the finance tools available to underserved farmers and ranchers. This toolkit outlines the barriers they face in finding affordable funding and provides resources and practical assistance to communities looking to invest in them.

Missouri announced a new tax credit program aimed at encouraging urban farming in cities throughout the state. Urban farmers in specific areas, including St. Louis, Rolla, and Hannibal, who spend up to $10,000 on establishing or improving an operation, can claim the credit and receive half of that back on taxes. The total tax credit pool for the initiative is $200,000.

The Council of Development Finance Agencies is now accepting applications for Vice President, Development Finance. This position leads CDFA's development finance practice and is responsible for ensuring CDFA delivers on its research projects, resource collection, educational offerings, partnerships, and content creation. Want to join the CDFA family in Columbus, Ohio? Email your cover letter, resume, salary request, and three professional references to jobs@cdfa.net.

The Navajo Nation Washington Office is set to receive nearly $89 million through the expanded State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) as part of the American Rescue Plan Act. The tribe will use the funding to operate a loan guarantee program and a loan participation program. Both will be crafted to target eligible Navajo small businesses that demonstrate potential for job creation for tribal members, both on and off the Navajo Nation.

First Solar Inc., which produces American-made solar modules, announced it struck two separate deals to sell $500 million and up to $200 million to the financial tech provider Fiserv Inc., headquartered in Wisconsin. Under the terms, Fiserv will pay 96 cents per $1 of tax credits. The deal is believed to be the first major tax credit transfer of its kind in the solar energy sector. 

Michigan's first multifamily-certified passive housing development is being spearheaded by Pinnacle Construction Group and Little River Development LLC, the real estate development arm of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians. The Michigan State Housing Development Authority awarded Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) worth nearly $15 million over 10 years for the project. Funding also includes $1.5 million from Ottawa County's American Rescue Plan Act allocation an affordable housing RLF loan.

Mayor Justin Bibb will introduce legislation seeking City Council approval for a massive tax increment financing (TIF) district, on a scale never before tried in Cleveland. The plan would implement a program under the TIF Act to create the 'Shore-to-Core-to-Shore TIF District' to create, capture, and leverage growth in Cleveland's Downtown and the near west side to benefit all Clevelanders.

Hannibal, MO 60 School District's Board of Education authorized the sale of $14.3 million General Obligation Refunding Bonds. The Series 2023 Refunding Bonds have reoffering yields ranging from 3.3% to 3.75% to constitute a new effective rate of 3.54%, compared to an average interest rate of 5% for the Series 2019 Bonds being refunded. The Series 2019 Bonds were sold at premiums that produced $1.6 million of additional funds for the projects.

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On January 8, 2024, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) published answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the State Small Business Credit Initiative 2.0 (SSBCI) based on the facts and circumstances presented in the questions. These FAQs are not regulations and do not have the force and effect of law.

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