Fostering an Inclusive Economy

Description

Aspen Institute Latinos and Society (AILAS) is honored to host the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, Alejandra Y. Castillo and Co-Founder and Executive Director for the Nowak Metro Finance Lab at Drexel University for a webinar fireside chat conversation focused on the EDA’s newly launched American Rescue Plan Program and how it, alongside multiple other Federal investment opportunities, represent a once in a lifetime opportunity to directly benefit previously underserved communities affected by Covid-19.

Under the American Rescue Plan, and with a focus on equity, EDA was allocated $3 billion in supplemental funding to assist communities nationwide in their efforts to build back better by accelerating the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and building local economies that will be resilient to future economic shocks. American Rescue Plan funding enables EDA to provide larger, more transformational investments across the nation while utilizing its greatest strengths, including flexible funding to support community-led economic development. EDA is making this funding available through a series of six innovative challenges.

Please join us to hear from EDA leadership about the specifics of EDA's ARPA program BBB, among others; what steps you can take now to learn, prepare, and apply; and the ways the EDA is reaching out to small business owners of color, including those in Latino community.

Moderated by Bruce Katz, Director at Metro Finance Lab, learn how cities are are working together to take advantage of these once in a generation investment opportunities;

Understand what steps can communities take now to learn, prepare, and apply; and

Learn about the ways the EDA is looking to invest in underserved communities affected by Covid-19.