July Newsletter
Stimulus Command Center Launch: Dayton
For the past several months, the Accelerator has been working closely with our partners at the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Drexel University's Nowak Metro Finance Lab, and the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth to develop critical resources to help mayors effectively organize for inclusive local recoveries.
Through this work, we're helping seven "first-mover" cities establish their own Stimulus Command Centers — 18-month, executive-level task forces with leaders from the public, private, and civic sectors to serve as the local go-to points for planning, prioritizing, and coordinating the deployment of federal relief and recovery investments. On June 23, our Economic Development Director Andi Crawford and Bruce Katz traveled to Dayton for Mayor Whaley's official launch of the city's Stimulus Command Center!
Read more about this work here, and don't hesitate to reach out to our team to learn more about establishing a Stimulus Command Center in your city.
#InfrastructureIsCalling
On May 12, Accelerator for America Action and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee launched the bipartisan 'Infrastructure is Calling' digital campaign — featuring more than 30 U.S. mayors from across the country at the time — to elevate the importance of federal infrastructure investment to our cities (check out the launch video below!).
Since then, the Accelerator for America Action team has continued to work closely with the House T&I Committee and our network of mayors to highlight the need for Congress to act boldly on infrastructure. Today, nearly 50 mayors from more than 30 states have added their voice to the Infrastructure is Calling Campaign! Read more here, and stay tuned for more on the campaign in the coming weeks.
INVEST in America Act
We have seen the results from our work on transformative transportation infrastructure measures from across the country, and there is no better way to rebuild our middle class and accelerate our recovery from COVID-19 than through the careers created by a bold national investment in our infrastructure.
Through Accelerator for America Action's continued work alongside the House Transit and Infrastructure Committee, we authored a statement of support for the House's passage of the INVEST in America Act, joining more than 100 transportation, infrastructure, environmental, and worker advocate organizations from across the country. Read our full statement by clicking the link below, and see the full list of supporters here.
https://www.acceleratorforamerica.org/news/afaa-invest-act-letter-of-support
Congratulations to:
Our partners at Mayors for a Guaranteed Income (MGI) for celebrating their one-year anniversary last month with the announcement that more than 50 leading mayors from across the country have joined to establish guaranteed income pilots in their cities! We've worked closely with the MGI team to connect them with mayors in our network interested in leveraging MGI's resources and expertise to launch guaranteed income pilots.
In the News
The Lane Report: Cover story — Equity and inclusion are building a better LouisvilleDayton Daily News: Dayton one of six ‘stimulus command centers’ in nationSmart Cities Dive: Cities navigate how to maximize incoming American Rescue Plan fundsRoute Fifty: The Wide Gaps Between Minority and White Business Ownership in America’s Cities
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
And keep following us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram as we create national change from the ground up, from coast to coast.
Aaron Thomas
President and CEO | Accelerator for America