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Microlending Sparks Hope and Renewal in Rochester, N.Y.

David Kidd

January 07, 2020 |

Governing |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Rochester, New York

In 2016, the city of Rochester, NY partnered with Kiva—a crowd-funded microlender—to serve aspiring or established small-business owners. Their partnership offers interest-free loans, and already 20 of the loans have been fully repaid. This article looks at six different case studies of residents who have benefitted from the program.

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A tale of two metros: how the London tube beat the New York subway

John Surico

December 16, 2019 |

The Guardian |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Though they started at similar points, the London Underground has become one of the most successful models of public transportation, while the New York Metro has declared a state of crisis. The reason? The London Underground learned from early financial and marketing failures and took advantage of financial incentives in expanding business into the transportation industry by renewing old infrastructure.

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Why Kansas City's Free Transit Experiment Matters

Laura Bliss

December 13, 2019 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Kansas City, Missouri

Kansas City, Missouri is the first major U.S. city to offer free bus rides city-wide, hoping to expand access and boost the local economy. The city emulates free public transportation plans around the world, which have seen success - and struggles - with increasing equity and economic stimulation through no-cost transportation plans.

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Turning Farm Workers Into Farmers

Johnny Magdaleno

November 27, 2019 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Salinas, California

Farm incubators provide aspiring farmers with training, land, and access to business networks. Across the United States, organizations like California’s Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association (ALBA) are working to support small farmers by serving as small farm incubators. Following a ten-month training course for aspiring farmers, ALBA allows the fledgling entrepreneurs to rent land at below-market rates while they expand their businesses.

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The failed American Dream: Lessons from Flint's Civic Park neighborhood

Marjory Raymer

November 14, 2019 |

Flintside |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Flint, Michigan

Flint, Michigan's Civic Park neighborhood struggled to make a comeback after the auto industry collapsed in their community. But the city didn't simply accept their failures; they learned from past mistakes and have begun to refuel the economy by incorporating equity, diversity, and several stable economic drivers into the town.

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The Three Keys to a Thriving Rural Economy

Jake Bullinger

November 08, 2019 |

Bitterroot |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Salida, Colorado

As the Mountain West transitions away from mining and other industrial economic drivers, rural cities find their way into successful economies by relying on local entrepreneurial spirit and the surrounding landscape. Businesses like SmartLam in rural Montana rely on local resources - in SmartLam's case, timber - and sustainable, future-oriented strategy to make a ripple in the economy of the rural West.

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From tikka masala to Mexican BBQ, home kitchens set to expand across the state

Scott Rodd

November 05, 2019 |

CalMatters |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Riverside, California

California is one of the first states to legalize the sale of meals from the home, opening up new avenues for amateur chefs - namely immigrants, women, and people of color - who are not formally in the restaurant industry or do not have access to professional kitchens. While implementation of the new law is at the beginning stages, there are signs that it is already providing a lower-risk way for people who might open a restaurant in the future, although opponents have raised some concerns regarding zoning.

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Free the Transit System!

Daniel J McGraw

October 28, 2019 |

Reasons to be Cheerful |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Columbus, Ohio

As the city of Columbus struggled to find ways to attract more workers downtown without increasing parking lots, they decided to try something new: making public transit free. Local businesses put funding towards the new C-pass program, which pays for all downtown workers to receive a free bus pass. At least 430 companies have opted in, allowing both businesses and employees to save while also making public transit more inclusive and accessible.

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Flock Safety Says Its License Plate Readers Reduce Crime. It's Not That Simple

Louise Matsakis

October 24, 2019 |

Wired |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Austell, Georgia

Cobb County, Georgia installed new license plate surveillance technology, loaned to them by the Atlanta-based company, Flock Safety. After installation, the test area saw a dramatic decrease in crime, to which Flock took credit for but experts say the connection could be due to a number of things. Furthermore, while surveillance technology has been correlated with decreased crime, communities have called into question issues of personal privacy versus public safety.

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Erie Hit ‘Rock Bottom.' The Former Factory Hub Thinks It Has a Way Out.

Ruth Simon Kris Maher

October 07, 2019 |

Wall Street Journal |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Erie, Pennsylvania

Erie, Pennsylvania, uses creative financial incentives for companies and businesses that invest capital gains in low-income areas of the city in order to pull itself out of economic hardship caused by the decrease in industrial jobs. The city looked to Cincinnati as an example of a city that turned around a failing neighborhood through collective action, sustainable funding practices and investment in nonprofit organizations that support development efforts.

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