EDA: Finalists for $1 Billion “Build Back Better Regional Challenge”
60 Regional Coalitions will Each Compete for up to $100 Million in American Rescue Plan Funding to Rebuild America’s Communities U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo today announced the 60 finalists for the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) $1 billion “Build Back Better Regional Challenge” – the marquee of EDA’s American Rescue Plan programs – that…
OCC: Acting Comptroller Kicks Off DC REACh
Acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael J. Hsu today joined civic leaders, community advocates, and bankers to launch DC REACh, thereby expanding the OCC’s Project REACh efforts to Washington, D.C. The OCC launched Project REACh, or Roundtable for Economic Access and Change, to bring together leaders from the banking industry, civil rights organizations, business, and…
SBA: Members of the Council on Underserved Communities Announced
John W. Rogers Jr. and 14 Distinguished Leaders Appointed to Reconvened CUC will develop policy recommendations for American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and other underserved small business owners Today, U.S. Small Business Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced the leaders who will serve on the reconvened Council on Underserved Communities (CUC) authorized under the Federal Advisory Committee…
SBA: Plans Announced to Elevate the Office of Women’s Business Ownership
The proposed change reflects the importance of women entrepreneurs held by the Biden-Harris Administration and SBA Today, U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced that the SBA intends to elevate its Office of Women’s Business Ownership (OWBO) to directly report to the Office of the Administrator. Under Administrator Guzman, the SBA has expanded the number of Women’s…
Census Bureau: Census Data Equity Initiative for Underserved Communities Announced
The U.S. Census Bureau today announced the Census Data Equity Initiative for Underserved Communities. This includes the release of the Data for Equity webpage, press kit, director’s blog and more highlighting datasets and tools available to help federal agencies and other entities identify and equitably distribute resources to underserved communities. The Census Bureau collects demographic, housing, socioeconomic, business and…
CFPB: New Research Finds Credit Report Disputes Far More Common in Majority Black and Hispanic Neighborhoods
Report Provides Additional Insight into Previously Observed Trends The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today released research finding that consumers in majority Black and Hispanic neighborhoods, as well as younger consumers and those with low credit scores, are far more likely to have disputes appear on their credit reports. The new research is a part…
SBA: $44.8 Billion through Signature Small Business Lending Programs Announced
In fiscal year 2021, 7(a) and 504 loan programs provided more than 61,000 loans, but gaps in access to capital for underserved communities remain Today, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced the agency reached $44.8 billion in funding to small businesses through more than 61,000 traditional loans for fiscal year (FY) 2021. “In the midst…
EDA: Build Back Better Regional Challenge Applicants Announced Showing Incredible Enthusiasm for Transformational Investment in Regions Across the Country
529 Applications Received from Regions across all 50 States and Five Territories Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced that it has experienced strong interest in its American Rescue Plan Build Back Better Regional Challenge, receiving 529 applications from regions across all 50 states and five territories. The $1 billion Build Back…
Federal Reserve: Series of Diversity and Inclusion Conferences Announced for November
The Federal Reserve Board announced on Monday that it will host a series of diversity and inclusion conferences in November focused on the experiences that underrepresented groups have as they participate in the economy, the economics profession, central banking, and finance. Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome H. Powell will provide opening remarks at each event….
ABA: Six Banks Win ABA Foundation’s 2021 Community Commitment Awards
Banks of all sizes earn banking industry’s highest honor awards for community programs The American Bankers Association Foundation named six banks as 2021 Community Commitment Award winners. The annual awards recognize banks for extraordinary corporate social responsibility efforts in six specific categories ranging from affordable housing to economic inclusion. The winners will be recognized at ABA’s Annual Convention in…