The Council on Metro Economies and the New American City is the economic research arm of the United States Conference of Mayors. Since its inception in 2001, The Council has published over 70 U.S. Metro Economies Reports, and continues to develop models of investment for cities, while identifying trends that will shape the cities of the future.
Council Session Highlights from the 87th Winter Meeting
The Council on Metro Economies and the New American City met at the 87th U.S. Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting, on January 23rd, to hear from leading experts in the fields of economic development and inclusion. Below is a description of the session with links to speaker presentations.
U.S. Metro Economies Update
Jim Diffley, of IHS Markit, summarized his economic growth and jobs forecast for 2019:
Opportunity Zones Update
Ja’Ron Smith, with the White House Office of Legislative Affairs, joined Daniel Kowalski, Counselor to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Treasury, to discuss new Opportunity Zone regulations – scheduled to be released in February of 2019. Louisville Mayor and Council Chair Greg Fischer, Detroit Mayor and Council Vice Chair Mike Duggan, Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs, Rick Jacobs and Bruce Katz, with Accelerator for America, also joined the conversation to provide updates on Opportunity Zone projects.
- United States Conference of Mayors Comments to Treasury on Opportunity Zones
- Mayor Fischer’s presentation slides on Opportunity Zones in Louisville
- Rick Jacobs and Bruce Katz’ presentation on Opportunity Zones
- 1 Pager on Opportunity Zones from Accelerator for America
Status of Opportunity Fund Development
Kimberlee Cornett, who serves as Managing Director of the Kresge Foundation’s Social Investment practice, and John Lettieri, who serves as President and CEO of the Economic Innovation Group (EIG) provided an overview on Opportunity Fund Development.
New Ideas to Promote Economic Mobility
Derrick Perkins, Senior Vice President at Bank of America, provided an update on the U.S. Conference of Mayors DollarWise Campaign, and its efforts to promote economic mobility and help underserved communities build wealth. Joanna Smith-Ramani, Managing Director at the Aspen Institute, also discussed her efforts surrounding financial inclusion and consumer debt.
News and Updates
New Report: U.S. Metro Areas Continue to Drive Nation’s Economic Growth, Post Fifth Consecutive Year of Increase
For 18th year, U.S. Conference of Mayors releases annual report, forecasts growth of cities and metro regions Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) released its 18th annual report and forecast on
U.S. Conference of Mayors and Ohio Mayors Alliance Release Report on Ohio Metro Economies
The U.S. Conference of Mayors and the Ohio Mayors Alliance today released a report on July 19, 2018 on the importance of Ohio city metro areas to the future growth of the Ohio economy. The
Ohio Mayors Alliance Outlines Adverse Impacts of Federal Tax Overhaul on Ohio Cities and Taxpayers
The Ohio Alliance of Mayors, in conjunction with the United States Conference of Mayors, held a press conference Friday, November 17 in Columbus, OH to oppose the repeal of State and local tax deductibility (SALT)
Council on Metro Economies and the New American City Meets During 85th Annual Meeting
The Council on Metro Economies and the New American City convened at the 85th Annual Conference of Mayors in Miami Beach June 23 to hear from leading experts in the fields of economic development and
DollarWise Awards The City of Lexington with a $10,000 Innovation Grant to Integrate Financial Education Into ESL Programming
On Thursday, May 25th, The U.S. Conference of Mayors’ DollarWise Campaign met with Mayor Jim Gray to award the City of Lexington a $10,000 2017 DollarWise Innovation Grant to support and expand financial education resources
Mayors See Infrastructure Investment As Key To Future As U.S. Metros Lead Nation’s Job Growth, But Many Still Lag Behind
Washington, D.C. -- While the nation’s metropolitan areas are economically strong with more than 300 metros experiencing job growth in 2016 and accounting for 95% of all the U.S. job gains last year, growth continues to
U.S. Metro Economies: Past and Future Employment Levels
Download the report: Metro Economies - Past and Future Employment Metro Employment in 2016 The US economy added 2.3 million jobs in 2016. Metro areas generated over 2 million new jobs, more than 95%
USCM Awards D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser DollarWise Innovation Grant
On Thursday, May 4th The DollarWise Campaign and the Bank of America Foundation joined Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser for her annual "InnoMAYtion" event at Carnegie Library. The event highlighted the city's Aspire to Entrepreneurship
State, Local Governments Urge Congress to Preserve State and Local Tax Deduction and Tax-Exempt Municipal Bonds in Tax Reform Efforts
Washington – The seven leading organizations that represent state and local governments at the federal level – the National Governors Association, National Association of Counties, National League of Cities, U.S. Conference of Mayors, International City/County
Community Development Daily: Spotlight on Attleboro (MA) and Fort Wayne (IN)
The Conference of Mayors' is sharing success stories daily on what Community Development Block Grants support in our nation’s cities. Attleboro (MA) Various social service agencies in Attleboro depend on block grant funds to sustain
The Council on Metro Economies and the New American City is supported by:
- The Aspen Institute
- Bank of America
- Interise
- The Kresge Foundation
- Launch Pad
- National Association of Home Builders