The National Housing Crisis Task Force, launched by the Nowak Metro Finance Lab and Accelerator for America, aims to address the U.S. housing crisis through collaborative efforts across government, private, and civic sectors. The Task Force emphasizes increasing housing supply, addressing homelessness, leveraging federal resources and features leaders from diverse sectors, focusing on innovative solutions and systemic changes.

The U.S. is experiencing an industrial transformation reshaping its geography and impacting metropolitan and regional economies. This shift sees new cities becoming industrial hubs and necessitating coordinated regional development efforts.

Maryland's public procurement economy accounts for 17.5% of its GDP, totaling over $68 billion annually, with significant spending in high-wage sectors like IT and professional services. However, around 40% of in-state procurement spending goes to out-of-state firms. Strategies are being developed to help local and diverse businesses access these opportunities, promoting inclusive growth.

The U.S. housing crisis affects both homeowners and renters, driven by diverse and complex challenges. Addressing this requires a mix of scalable, innovative solutions rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. State and local governments are already testing creative strategies to tackle this widespread issue.

The Maryland Procurement Playbook is an effort to strategically assess Maryland’s procurement ecosystem and promote growth for small and diverse firms. The Playbook, funded by the Abell Foundation, J.P. Morgan Chase, BGE, CareFirst, T. Rowe Price, The Annie E. Casey Foundation and Johns Hopkins, is the first assessment of federal, state, and local procurement activity in Maryland.

Innovation districts—compact urban areas that foster collaboration among academic institutions, corporations, startups, and entrepreneurs—are evolving in response to global trends such as geopolitical shifts, economic decarbonization, and the need for diverse talent. These districts are transitioning from centers of discovery to hubs that both innovate and implement solutions, adapting to new challenges and opportunities.

Kensington Corridor Trust or KCT is a neighborhood trust started in 2019 whose mission is to acquire and redevelop real estate on a disinvested commercial corridor and place it into long-term community control to preserve culture and affordability while building neighborhood power and wealth.

Bilbao Metropoli 30, a public-private partnership established over three decades ago, has been instrumental in transforming Bilbao from an industrial hub facing economic decline into a modern cultural metropolis. Key projects like the Metro (opened in 1995) and the Guggenheim Museum (1997) spearheaded this revitalization, leading to further developments such as the Euskalduna Congress and Concert Hall, Bilbao Exhibition Centre, and the new Bilbao Airport. This comprehensive strategy addressed unemployment, pollution, and urban decay, positioning Bilbao as a model for urban regeneration.

The U.S. energy transition, driven by federal investments, creates opportunities for cities to grow local green industries. Initiatives like El Paso's "Supply El Paso" aim to integrate local businesses into the clean energy supply chain.

Esperanza has partnered with the Nowak Metro Finance Lab, Aspen Institute Latinos & Society, and Reinvestment Fund to understand how Eastern North Philadelphia can remain a cohesive stronghold for the Latino community while channeling community-oriented investment. This report showcases three key initiatives that Esperanza is in the process of developing to protect vulnerable residents from potential displacement.

Eastern North Philadelphia faces displacement pressures from rising property values. To address this, Esperanza proposes initiatives like a community land trust for affordable rentals, a trust for below-market commercial rents, and a preservation district to support local businesses and prevent chain store dominance.

St. Louis formed a public-private partnership during the pandemic to address immediate needs, leading to a 10-year jobs plan. By merging five organizations into Greater St. Louis, Inc., the city aims to unify efforts for economic growth and urban regeneration.

As the United States faces escalating tensions across the globe, the modernization and transformation of our military has become an urgent concern. In response, the Department of Defense's budget has increased significantly in recent years.

The National Defense Industrial Strategy (NDIS) focuses on modernizing the defense ecosystem with resilient supply chains, workforce readiness, flexible acquisition, and economic deterrence. Cities play a key role in this strategy, as they house military bases, manufacturing facilities, and innovation hubs, contributing to national security and economic growth through increased defense investments.

The U.S. housing market faces affordability issues, despite a significant oversupply of rental units in some areas. While vacancy rates have risen, most new apartments target high-income earners, leaving affordable housing concerns largely unmet.

The Procurement Playbook, developed with the Aspen Institute Latinos and Society, aims to streamline federal procurement processes to help small, local, and minority-owned businesses access opportunities. Applied in San Antonio and El Paso, it promotes economic inclusion and community development.

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed inefficiencies in global supply chains, leading to record logistics costs in 2022. Factors like e-commerce growth and reshoring drive these challenges, prompting the need for innovative strategies to enhance resilience and optimize supply chain operations.

The U.S. industrial landscape is shifting with reshoring of manufacturing, driven by federal investments. Cities like Phoenix and Columbus are attracting new industries, and to thrive, metropolitan areas must foster collaboration between public, private, and civic sectors for sustained economic growth.

Since we launched the Innovative Finance Playbook in November 2022, Catalyze and the Nowak Metro Finance Lab have been assessing Revenue Based Financing, or RBF, as a tool to help address the capital gaps and deficiencies laid bare by the COVID pandemic.

Revenue-Based Financing (RBF) provides capital in exchange for a percentage of future revenues, offering flexible repayments based on sales. This model is ideal for fast-growing businesses seeking non-dilutive funding without collateral or ownership loss.