Local Economies

States are About to See a Historic Infusion of Funding to Help Entrepreneurs

COMMENTARY | The federal stimulus package provides $10 billion for states to boost the capital available to new businesses. If they don’t invest the money carefully, it will be a missed opportunity.

  • By Victor Hwang

Covid Relief Bill Will Infuse Billions into Local Economies

From $1,400 stimulus payments to $300-a-week unemployment benefits, the $1.9 trillion aid package gets cash to residents that can translate to stronger state and local tax revenues.

  • By Andrea Noble

Smallest Businesses Will Get Special Window to Apply for Federal Relief Funds

The Biden administration announced the change to the Paycheck Protection Program on Monday, along with other measures to improve access to funding for minority-owned businesses.

  • By Andrea Noble

Carefully Targeted Cuts Can Help With Managing Covid-19’s Hit to Budgets

COMMENTARY | Cities, counties and states are in some cases making broad spending reductions to manage the financial impacts of the pandemic. That might not be the best approach.

  • By Hughey Newsome

One State is Poised to Shield Businesses from Covid-19 Lawsuits

Indiana legislators approved the measure on Monday, sending it to Gov. Eric Holcomb. Lawmakers in a number of states are weighing proposals to protect businesses from liability related to Covid-19.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Corporate Concentration in the U.S. Food System Makes Food More Expensive and Less Accessible for Many Americans

COMMENTARY | Consolidation has placed key decisions about the nation’s food system in the hands of a few large companies, giving them outsized influence.

  • By Philip H. Howard and Mary Hendrickson, The Conversation

Toward a More Inclusive and Resilient Economic Development Paradigm

COMMENTARY | As economic development leaders look for ways to stimulate growth in the wake of Covid-19, they should embrace strategies centered on resilience and inclusivity.

  • By Steven Pedigo

Going to the Super Bowl? Grab a Face Mask to Avoid a Penalty

Masks will be required at the Feb. 7 game and in various outdoor venues and districts around Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, per an executive order issued by the city's mayor.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

In The Sweetheart City, Love Endures—Even During Covid

Loveland, Colorado will celebrate the 75th year of its valentine re-mailing program, where people around the world send valentines to be marked with a special postmark and stamp en route to their final destinations.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Baltimore is Latest City to Cap Delivery App Fees Paid by Restaurants

Other cities have enacted similar policies, meant to help restaurants struggling during the pandemic. At least one delivery app company has responded with a new customer surcharge.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

The Pandemic is Hurting Child Care. Parents are Paying the Price.

About 700,000 parents left their jobs to care for their kids after child care centers closed, according to a recent analysis.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Customers Won't Wear a Mask? One State Says to Call the Police.

Updated guidance from the New Hampshire Attorney General's office instructs businesses to call local law enforcement for assistance if customers simply refuse to comply with a statewide mask mandate.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram
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Airbnb Cancels Rentals in Washington, D.C. Region for Inauguration Week

The company’s decision to cancel and block lodging rentals comes after leaders from the District, Maryland and Virginia urged people to stay away.

  • By Andrea Noble

Timing of Covid-19 Vaccine for Health Care Workers Depends on Where They Live

STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Kansas and Missouri plan to rely on the honor system to comply with priority distribution of coronavirus vaccines ... Employees in one Louisiana city will receive a one-time lump-sum hazard payment ... Indiana lawmakers hope to shield businesses from Covid-19 lawsuits.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Congress Nears Covid-19 Relief Deal With Direct Stimulus Payments, But No Local Government Aid

Representatives from both parties, who met Tuesday and Wednesday, said major headway was made during negotiations on a roughly $900 billion relief package. But more direct help for state and local governments isn't included.

  • By Andrea Noble

Bipartisan Lawmakers Offer Two-Part Covid Relief Package

A $748 billion proposal would fund initiatives like unemployment insurance and the Paycheck Protection Program, while a separate $160 billion bill would provide state and local aid, but also a liability shield.

  • By Andrea Noble

To Create A Strong Government Technology Ecosystem, Increase Inclusivity

COMMENTARY | It’s time we did more to support underrepresented entrepreneurs to improve local government services and increase inclusivity.

  • By Anthony Jamison

In November, Men Dropped Out of the Workforce at Higher Rates than Women

November was the first time in what has been dubbed the first female recession that men suffered greater losses than women. About 347,000 left the labor force.

  • By Chabeli Carrazana, The 19th

Mayors Pessimistic About Cities' Prospects for Post-Covid Rebound

Concerns highlighted by the Menino Survey of Mayors include possible deep cuts to local education and the changing economic landscape for local businesses.

  • By Andrea Noble

Lawmakers Propose $908 Billion Covid Relief Plan in Bid to End Gridlock

A bipartisan group of senators and House members discussed their proposal Tuesday, but congressional leaders suggested they would be moving ahead with their own plans.

  • By Andrea Noble

America Failed at Covid-19, but the Economy’s Okay. Why?

COMMENTARY | The U.S. entered the coronavirus recession with a few structural advantages. Its success may not last for long.

  • By Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic