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.

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.

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.

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.

The pandemic and post-pandemic period have been defined in many respects by capital. Beginning with the CARES Act and continuing with the American Rescue Plan Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act, this capital period has seen the federal government dedicate trillions of public resources for a broad set of activities.

The unplanned growth of many U.S. cities has led to urban sprawl and economic inequality. As cities expand without comprehensive planning, the benefits of growth are unevenly distributed, worsening disparities and limiting access to resources. Addressing this requires better coordination between local governments, developers, and stakeholders to ensure sustainable and inclusive development.

Emerging Projects Agreements are a new tool to bridge the gap between federal and local governments, allowing cities to coordinate and integrate large-scale infrastructure projects. By combining individual projects into cohesive portfolios, cities like Austin and Kansas City are leveraging federal investments to drive transformative, regional improvements.

As economic uncertainty grows, cities face potential fiscal storms, such as a slowdown in federal aid, rising inflation, or declining revenues. To prepare, cities must strengthen their financial stability by building emergency reserves and adopting flexible budgeting practices.

The State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), enacted under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, provides nearly $10 billion to support small businesses through equity, credit support, and technical assistance programs. The program aims to leverage private capital, requiring an initial 1:1 private match and targeting a 10:1 private-public leverage over its duration. Administered by states, territories, and Tribal governments within a federal framework, SSBCI allows these jurisdictions to design and implement programs tailored to their unique economic landscapes.

Global forces like geopolitical tensions, climate change, and technological advances are reshaping cities and communities. Three books are recommended:Goliath by Matt Stoller, which critiques monopolistic power; Sideways by Josh O'Kane, which examines the failure of tech-driven urban transformation; and Going Places by Luise Noring, a dystopian novel about online communities sparking global conflict.