President Joe Biden is expected to attend a Thursday morning meeting with all House Democrats shortly before his trip to Europe in a last-minute push to get progressives to vote for a stalled bipartisan infrastructure bill, two sources familiar with the plans told NBC News. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is aiming to hold a vote Thursday on the $550 billion measure, but progressives have insisted that a larger social safety net bill proceeds alongside the Senate-passed infrastructure package.

U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a significant expansion of access to high-speed internet, health care, and educational services for millions of rural Americans nationwide. The announcement continues to move forward President Biden's Build Back Better Agenda. USDA will also invest $50 Million to improve access to telemedicine, distance learning for 7.6 Million people in rural areas.

Growers Edge, a provider of data-driven financial technology (fintech) solutions for the agricultural industry, has announced the launch of a fully digital financial software and services platform for the agriculture industry.

The organization hopes the gathering will help like-minded food producers network and share resources. That's key to success for many of the small businesses in local farming and food production. Small businesses, particularly those owned by women and minorities, often lack access to financing, so providing start-up loans with favorable terms would help them with the capital crunch.

The pandemic has presented challenges for everyone, but with an influx of federal American Rescue Plan Act stimulus coming into Massachusetts, these challenges present an enormous opportunity to reshape the future of the commonwealth. With $5.3 billion in ARPA funds allocated to the state government, now is the time for Massachusetts to make strides in addressing systemic issues of equity.

The Vermont Bond Bank announced the launch of an infrastructure data portal on its website this week. The portal is designed for policymakers and Vermonters to understand social and physical infrastructure trends in the state's communities.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that a new $76 million development with 201 mixed-income affordable homes and a 22,000-square-foot fresh food market will open soon in Buffalo's Central Business District. State financing includes $10.5 million in permanent tax-exempt bonds, $21.8 million in equity from Federal and State Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, a $19.1 million subsidy from New York State Homes and Community Renewal, and $12 million in equity from state Brownfield tax credits.

After losing the centerpiece of his climate agenda just a week before heading to a major global warming summit, President Joe Biden intends to make the case that the United States has a new plan that will still meet its ambitions to sharply cut greenhouse gases that are warming the planet. The administration's strategy now consists of a three-pronged approach of generous tax incentives for wind, solar, and other clean energy.

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority is seeking applicants for numerous positions. The job openings include Product Officers for multiple programs, Senior Project Officers for multiple programs, Compliance Officers, Program Analysts, Legal Affairs Officers, and various others.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Senior Vice President of Community Development will be responsible for conducting and supervising the strategic and day-to-day activities associated with community development in Atlanta, including supporting and implementing the City's affordable housing strategy, targeted redevelopment strategies, and neighborhood revitalization strategies.

The Compliance/Coordinator Specialist for Invest Atlanta is responsible for conducting critical compliance analysis, research, evaluation, management, and monitoring of local, state, and federal regulatory and compliance requirements for all incentive programs administered by Invest Atlanta. This position will be expected to support Invest Atlanta entities/departments as required by management. Also assists Director with projects, processing invoices and other duties as assigned.

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The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) reauthorizes and amends the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Program. ARPA provides a combined $10 billion to states, the District of Columbia, territories, and Tribal governments to help address the economic fallout of the pandemic and lay the foundation for a strong and equitable recovery by providing direct support to jurisdictions for programs that increase access to credit for small businesses.

The Vermont Bond Bank ("Bond Bank")'s infrastructure data portal is designed for policymakers and Vermonters to understand social and physical infrastructure trends in the state's communities. The data included in the portal represents a multi-year effort to harness historic data from both the Bond Bank and partner organizations for the benefit of capital planning initiatives across the state.

Small and midsize cities (SMCs) face multiple challenges including uneven economic growth, growing income inequality, and growing poverty. Uniting community development principles and economic development practice, with a focus on elevating community voice and racial equity, is central to addressing equity issues at the neighborhood level and changing the trajectory for longer term outcomes for BIPOC and LMI population groups.

The Urban Institute set out to study how innovative policies and programs from abroad could inform state and local efforts in the US to advance an inclusive recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. They produced five briefs, each profiling an approach from abroad that addresses a different policy priority: child care, broadband access, local economic development, parks and public space, and housing stability and affordability.

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