Economic Development

Twenty years ago, at a time when economic development was about companies, CFED created the Development Report Card for the States. It put forth a simple but radical notion: economies are fundamentally about people.

The public sector in the U.S. has a long history of protecting against the excesses of an unfettered market system and looking out for those who would otherwise be left behind. Our whole society and whole economy benefits when this is done well.

The Economic Development Program at CFED behaves as a watchdog, celebrating public policies that build healthier communities, and calling out those that don’t. The Lessons Learned material in this section is particularly deep and rich; don’t miss it!

Current Initiatives

Business Incentives Reform

Public officials often cite competitive pressures that force them into offering incentives that they know may be wasteful. CFED offers the best research on incentive design, administration, and evaluation, as well as reform options and alternatives.

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Ideas in Development Blog

Brain food for your inner academic! Check out Bill Schweke’s insightful commentary on current economic development policy, practice and literature.

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Work Ready Communities Initiative

CFED is collaborating with the North Carolina Community College System and the Eastern Carolina Workforce Development Board, among others to design a Work Ready certification process that will help North Carolina communities in developing a workforce that meets the needs of the 21st century economy.

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Lessons Learned: Recent Work & Publications

Development Report Card for the States

Documenting the CDFI Field

Global Trade and Investment

Local Capital Markets Investment Fund

Savings and Credit Toolkit

Small and Medium Sized Enterprises and Poverty Reduction

Latest Blog Posts