Join CDFA for our upcoming Bond Finance Week! The Intro Bond Finance Course will take place on March 10-11 followed by the Advanced Bond Finance Course on March 12-13. Register for one or both of these courses to learn from experts how to bring economic growth to your community by utilizing the vast resources of the bond finance industry.

Help preserve & protect tax-exempt bonds! Please copy the text from this letter and place it on your organization's letterhead. Modify the RED areas to reflect your particular agency. Fill in and send this letter of support to every member of Congress from your state. Any and all outreach is critical to gaining support in Congress.

Sustainable bond issuance in North America reached $124 billion in 2024, with the U.S. representing about 80% of the total. However, President Trump's decision to exit the Paris Agreement led six major U.S. banks—Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, and Morgan Stanley—to withdraw from the UN's Net-Zero Banking Alliance. Gregor Vulturius of Sweden's SEB suggests that backlash against ESG in parts of the U.S. may have influenced these banks' retreat from net-zero initiatives.

Toby Rittner shared his expertise during the session, "Outcomes Over Orthodoxy: Opportunity Zones 2.0 and Next Generation Public-Private Partnerships." The timely insights shared on the panel highlighted the need for innovative tools to drive place-based economic development, ensuring that underserved rural and urban communities—those often left out of siloed federal programs—can thrive. Catch the full recording!

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded nearly $2.5 million in Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing (RUSH) funding across four jurisdictions to assist Americans impacted by recent hurricanes and severe storms. This announcement brings RUSH grant investment to $11.4 million for these four jurisdictions. In addition to the RUSH allocation, HUD-supported technical assistance providers continue to offer remote and on-the-ground Technical Assistance to the impacted jurisdictions and homeless assistance providers to help them better serve those in need.

Asia's central banks are major holders of U.S. Treasury securities, with Japan holding $1.06 trillion and China around $759 billion, totaling nearly $3 trillion. However, these holdings are shrinking, with China's dropping to the lowest level since 2009. This decline could signal a lack of confidence in Washington's financial management. With U.S. debt nearing $37 trillion, the financial chaos under Trump 2.0 has left Asian central bankers reconsidering their investment in U.S. debt.

The Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government aims to catalyze economic growth and equity by significantly increasing investment capital inflows from Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) to its underserved and diverse neighborhoods. The FUSE Executive Fellow will conduct a comprehensive analysis of Louisville's CDFI ecosystem, identify opportunities for innovative financial services, and develop a strategic plan to align local government policy with CDFI investments. This initiative seeks to stimulate entrepreneurship, expand homeownership, and create wealth-building opportunities in historically underserved communities. By enhancing Louisville's capacity to attract and leverage CDFI investments, LMG aspires to close the gap with peer cities and foster a more inclusive economic landscape.

The Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government aims to narrow racial wealth gaps by empowering small developers from underserved communities to launch and grow their businesses. The FUSE Executive Fellow will develop and pilot a comprehensive small developer education program while identifying key resources, incentives, and policy pathways to amplify the initiative's impact and sustainability beyond the fellowship year. This multifaceted approach will drive community investments, fuel entrepreneurship, and increase wealth in lower-income and diverse communities, ultimately contributing to a more equitable Louisville.

Under the direction of the Executive Director, the Manager of Project Management & Site Strategies will oversee economic development plans and projects for the Lorain Port Authority, focusing on property development and site readiness. Responsibilities include leading port property development, pursuing grants for waterfront sites, evaluating market opportunities, managing outreach programs, maintaining business and site inventories, and assisting with budgeting and strategic plan implementation. The role also involves fostering agency cooperation to attract and retain businesses. To apply, submit your resume, cover letter, and references to Executive Director Tiffany McClelland at tmcclelland@lorainportauthority.com. The application period remains open until the position is filled, with review starting on March 17th, 2025.

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