The cities of Jackson and Greenville have each received $700,000 grants to boost their local economies and provide more access to affordable housing.
National League of Cities – a nonprofit municipality advocacy group – announced Tuesday that Jackson and Greenville were two of 14 cities advancing to the second phase of its Southern Cities Economic Initiative, which is a “concerted effort to boost economic opportunity and resilience at the local level.”
During the first phase, cities such as Jackson and Greenville worked with NLC to identify specific opportunities to boost economic resilience tailored to their specific communities. The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta provided data and subject matter experts to help them throughout the phase.
Now entering the implementation phase, selected cities will use their grant funds on initiatives that support local workforce development, expand childcare solutions, increase access to housing and homeownership, help new businesses, and create new entrepreneurship pathways.
The second phase runs through December 2027.
Cities in addition to Jackson and Greenville that advanced were Atlanta, Ga.; Center Point, Ala.; Charlottesville, Va.; Fayetteville, Ark.; Harrisonburg, Va.; Jonesboro, Ga.; Lauderhill, Fla.; Little Rock, Ark.; Monroe, La.; Natchitoches, La.; and Thomasville, N.C.
Each selected city received a $700,000 grant.
“The South is a region of remarkable strength, innovation, and resilience, and cities across the region are primed to overcome the barriers of limited job growth, access to capital, and affordable housing,” NLC CEO and executive director Clarence E. Anthony said. “We are pleased to see this select group of 14 cities work with us and the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta to build stronger, more resilient economies and create opportunities for all residents to thrive.”
NLC’s Southern Cities Economic Initiative is made possible through support of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Kresege Foundation, Nathan Cummings Foundation, and W.K. Kellogg Foundation.