At the Future Cities conference, ILSR Senior Researcher Kennedy Smith moderated a panel discussion about how cities can leverage federal recovery funds to revitalize their commercial districts, create more small businesses, and reduce racial and economic inequality.… Read More
Small businesses need affordable commercial space more than ever. Federal stimulus funds offer the chance for local governments to help fill that need. In Governing, ILSR Senior Researcher Kennedy Smith and Ryan Coonerty discuss this new opportunity for cities and towns to foster a built environment that supports local economies.… Read More
Unlike the predatory Wall Street-backed apps, local delivery services charge lower fees, support restaurants, keep wealth in the community, and demonstrate that when it comes to food delivery, local delivery models are better and more efficient.… Read More
In this policy brief, we argue that moving aggressively to rebuild small, independent businesses and reverse the concentration of corporate power would produce a more vigorous, equitable, and stable recovery. We lay out two dozen policy recommendations across a 6-point agenda to enable independent businesses to weather the pandemic and thrive and grow in its aftermath. … Read More
ILSR Senior Researcher Kennedy Smith talked to the Mayors’ Institute on City Design about how to help Main Street businesses survive the pandemic.… Read More
Our research has found that cities, counties, states, and community organizations have established more than 800 programs to provide financial assistance to small businesses in the wake of the pandemic. These programs have deployed more than $9.27 billion in grants and loans. Yet the funds are running out. Congress should address the unprecedented crisis facing small business by quickly providing the resources local governments need to do this important work.… Read More
On WBEZ, Kennedy Smith discusses the state of small businesses during this pandemic and the role that state and local governments need to play in supporting them.… Read More
ILSR’s latest report describes 26 actions that community leaders — including local governments, local business groups, nonprofit organizations, business improvement districts, and other entities — can adopt to help small businesses weather the crisis. … Read More
Wall Street-funded delivery services are taking a huge bite out of restaurants’ meager revenues. Restaurant owners are desperate and furious — and cities are pushing back.… Read More
