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...

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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...

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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...

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Lenders Launch SOAR Fund to Fuel Recovery of Small Businesses, Nonprofits in the South

The Southern Opportunity and Resilience (SOAR) Fund is raising $150 million to provide flexible, affordable financing and support services to “the smallest of small businesses” and nonprofits across 15 southern states. The fund will work with CDFIs to deploy capital, targeting historically underbanked owners and organizations. LISC is serving as fund manager.

Rethinking Ways to Get Capital to Small Businesses

The pandemic has prodded state and local governments to think hard and act quickly to move public money into shoring up the small business sector. An article in Next City looks at how new public-private partnerships—particularly ones engaging CDFIs, like the LISC-managed NY Forward Loan Fund—are paving the way to make equitable small business development part of a new normal.

Partnership Means Being Prepared

In the era of Covid-19, connected ecosystems are paying off for small businesses struggling to keep their doors open. Which proves just how critical LISC’s ongoing work to build relationships that support economic development really is, in times of crisis and beyond.