Equitable Development

A collection of blog posts on themes of equitable and inclusive economic development.

Uncovering the Mystery behind Falling Labor Force Participation Rates

America’s labor force participation rate continues to decline. Since the late 1990s the labor force participation rate (LFPR) has fallen...

The Economic Impact of Anti-LGBTQ Legislation

Last year, more than 510 anti-LGBTQ bills were introduced in state legislatures across the U.S. – more than the previous three years...

Attacks on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Have Consequences

Attacks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will have profound consequences that their sponsors either ignore or choose not to share with...

Flying all Flags: Celebrating the Impact of Caribbean Americans on the US Economy

As of 2019 there were approximately 4.5 million Caribbean Americans residing in the United States, with nearly 90% of Caribbean immigrants..

The Power of Supporting Working Families for an Equitable Economy

"Supporting families supports the economy. It helps to fill jobs today and it helps to prepare children for the workplace of tomorrow.”

Exploring the Impact and Importance of Paid Family Leave

As parents of young children, caregivers of aging parents, and economic development nerds, paid family leave is frequently at the top of...

Equitable and Co-Created Placemaking at City Nation Place

Panelists at City Nation Place Americas focused on centering equity and the co-creation of strategies with partners (and technology!) to...

Five Ideas for Making Outdoor Recreation Accessible for All

Here are five recommended ways to make the outdoor recreation economy more inclusive of people with disabilities.

What If We Fly?: Innovative Ideas from the 2024 Just Economy Conference

The Just Economy conference is hosted annually by the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) and is a dedicated space for

Five Key Considerations for Embedding Equity in Economic Development Planning

Smart Growth America’s 2024 Equity Summit was the inaugural in-person version of the event, featuring inspiring speakers who offered real...

Energy Funding Finder to Reduce Pollution, Lower Bills, and Encourage Adoption of Clean, Efficient Technologies

We partnered with PA DEP to develop the Energy Funding and Assistance Finder to help communities identify resources for energy projects.

Fourth Economy in the News: April 2024 Roundup

From supporting the growth of the outdoor and cultural economy, to reimagining downtowns and a driverless future, Fourth Economy helps...