An Open Streets Family Reunion: Reflections from the 2018 Open Streets Summit

By Ryan O’Connor, Director of Programs, 8 80 Cities Recently 8 80 Cities wrote a blog post about open streets being a labour of love. That being the case, the 2018 Open Streets Summit in New Orleans felt like a family reunion of sorts. It was rejuvenating to see old and new friends who share our passion for open streets and are working tirelessly to create healthier, happier, and more connected communities across the world. The event, which took place on September 15-16, brought together more than 50 leaders who currently organize open streets programs or are interested in bringing the...

The post An Open Streets Family Reunion: Reflections from the 2018 Open Streets Summit appeared first on Open Streets Project.

Open Streets Summit Draft Agenda

We hope you are getting ready and feel excited about the Open Streets Summit in Gretna/New Orleans! Taking place from September 15-16, 2018, the Summit will feature tours, presentations and networking opportunities with open streets champions and organizers from across the continent. Attendees will learn about the nuts and bolts of starting or scaling up open streets programs, including: Route design and planning Partnerships with business and officials Social inclusion Safety and logistics Marketing and promotion Program evaluation through measurable goals and metrics If you haven’t done it yet, click here to register for the Open Streets Summit only or...

The post Open Streets Summit Draft Agenda appeared first on Open Streets Project.

Open Streets Summit Speakers Announced!

The Open Streets Project is proud to announce that Ed Solis from Viva Calle (San Jose, CA), Romel Pascual from CicLAvia (Los Angeles, CA), Jaymie Santiago and Charles Brown from New Brunswick Ciclovia will join us as speakers for the 2018 Open Streets Summit in New Orleans and Gretna! Taking place from September 15-16 2018, the Summit will feature: Behind the scenes tour of the City of Gretna’s inaugural open streets program. Workshops, presentations, and networking opportunities with open streets champions and organizers from across the continent. Training and inspiration for both -novice and experienced- open streets organizers and supporters...

The post Open Streets Summit Speakers Announced! appeared first on Open Streets Project.

LISC to Manage $100 Million NY Forward Loan Fund

A new $100 million loan fund will provide flexible, low-interest capital to small businesses and nonprofits in New York State reeling from the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. LISC will administer the funding, which will be distributed via five community development financial institutions and will go to enterprises, especially women- and minority-owned ones, with 20 or fewer employees that didn't receive lending capital through the SBA's Paycheck Protection Program.

New $5M Partnership with Truist to Tackle Digital Divide and Help Small Biz in Wake of Covid-19

Thanks to a grant from Truist Financial, LISC will intensify its work to support small businesses reeling from the financial fallout of Covid-19, and direct more resources to equipping communities with the infrastructure they need, now more than ever, to stay connected and economically viable.

LISC to Deploy Part of eBay's $15 Million in Covid-19 Relief Funds

The eBay Foundation has just ramped up its pandemic-focused grant-making to help more nonprofits and small businesses. LISC, a recipient of a portion of the largest donation in the e-commerce giant's history, will in turn deploy the grant money as part of its Rapid Relief and Resiliency Fund to support entrepreneurs, nonprofits and residents in underinvested communities across the country.