The CDFA Federal Financing Webinar Series is an exclusive, seven-part online offering that will convene finance experts, federal agencies, and local practitioners to discuss the variety of federal programs available to restore local economies, preserve small businesses, invest in our communities, and protect our environment. In light of the new administration and an evolving federal financing landscape, CDFA will be featuring timely and in-depth conversations with federal financing leaders throughout 2021, with the first webinar taking place on February 9.

The coronavirus will continue to drive the work of state governments in the coming year, but most states will be better off financially than initially projected, helping with the cost of response efforts. State legislative action this year is likely to be dominated by either the basic necessities—passing a budget—or coronavirus-related legislation and support rather than innovative policy agendas.

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy has launched an initiative to mobilize investment in low-income communities, especially those that have been excluded from access to mainstream financial and wealth-building resources. The initiative will bring public finance officials, impact investors, financial institutions, and communities together to increase the availability of capital in the right place, at the right time, and for the right purpose.

In response to the ongoing economic challenges being faced by New Jersey small businesses due to COVID-19, NJEDA has created the Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program (Phase 2). The $10 million program will make direct low-cost financing available to help New Jersey small businesses and nonprofit organizations with recovery and reopening efforts as a result of COVID-19.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently awarded the Texas Water Development Board $72,632,000 to provide low-interest loans to fund clean water projects in Texas. EPA provides the grant under the Clean Water Act's Clean Water State Revolving Fund, a federal-state partnership that provides communities low-cost financing for a wide range of water quality infrastructure projects.

Revitalizing rural America has garnered more attention in the past four years. Despite this renewed interest, reports continue to identify a growing divide between America's urban centers and rural heartland. The unique challenges and misconceptions facing rural communities continue to hinder economic and educational progress. These obstacles - further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic - raise several questions about the sustainability of rural communities.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is taking steps to improve the First Draw Paycheck Protection Program loan review so that small businesses have as much time as possible to access much needed PPP funds. While reviewing the initial draw of PPP loans, anomalies – mostly data mismatches and eligibility concerns – were identified in approximately 4.7% of the lender-submitted data.

That LIHTC has been used to address the needs of vulnerable populations – seniors, people with disabilities, and extremely low-income households – is not surprising. As more analysis becomes available, the extent to which the incentive is used and ways in which its use can be expanded become more evident.

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Economic development that is equitable, inclusive, and outcome-driven for residents begins by prioritizing community engagement and clearly linking that engagement to actionable initiatives with measurable results. This white paper addresses ways community groups, businesses, philanthropies, economic developers, and governments can work together effectively to ensure that community goals and priorities are reflected in economic development practices. The topic is timely as governments and communities grapple with economic conditions that have left many residents struggling. This report offers a Determine-Design-Evaluate framework to help leaders consider how to adapt their economic development efforts so that more residents prosper.

This map includes states where projects are eligible for Retroactive PACE financing and includes a summary of state-by-state guidelines.

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