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Initiatives and people boost rural opportunities
With deep rural ties and experience working with small businesses and nonprofits, Erika Bell supports rural economic growth at the Richmond Fed through initiatives that connect rural leaders with resources, training, and networks to build stronger communities.
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Latest news and views
Get insights from the Fed’s community development teams and their collaborators.
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Small business ecosystem supports highlighted during Fed event
Federal Reserve’s State of Small Business Symposium explored challenges facing small businesses, highlighting AI adoption, technical assistance programs, and wraparound support services driving success stories nationwide.
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![[Watch] Building Community Capacity to Harness Opportunity Zones 2.0 Investments](https://fedcommunities.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/connecting-communities-opportunity-zones.jpg?w=1232)
[Watch] Building Community Capacity to Harness Opportunity Zones 2.0 Investments
This Connecting Communities webinar explored what’s changing in Opportunity Zones 2.0 and why it matters for communities across the country. It offered practical tips for building project pipelines, strengthening partnerships, and supporting community-focused investment. Watch or listen on demand.
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Community perspectives and conditions from the Fed’s Beige Book, October 2026
The October Beige Book highlights financial strain as households face rising essential costs and reduced benefits, while nonprofits and small businesses continue to face growing demand, expenses, and uncertainty.
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The Quarterly Catch-up, Q3 2026
Check out the latest community development-related research, analyses, and articles from all 12 Federal Reserve Banks and the Board of Governors. This post captures content published between July 1 and September 30, 2026, on topics affecting communities.
Explore data and research
From survey findings to dashboards, the Fed’s data can inform collaborative efforts between policymakers, employers, and educators.
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Read more →: Promise, anxiety, and change: What the Fed is learning about AI’s impact on workPromise, anxiety, and change: What the Fed is learning about AI’s impact on work
Artificial intelligence is impacting the way we work, and the workforce development ecosystem is changing as a result. The Federal Reserve’s Community Development function is among those tracking AI’s effects so far and what important questions remain.
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Read more →: 2026 Worker Perspectives Report: When every dollar counts: Inside the economic struggles of workers who earn low to moderate incomes2026 Worker Perspectives Report: When every dollar counts: Inside the economic struggles of workers who earn low to moderate incomes
The Worker Perspectives Report explores how workers are navigating rising costs, limited opportunities, and a challenging job market. To navigate these obstacles they are adapting finances and career plans, while also speaking hopefully about their personal ability to manage uncertainty. In their employment, they prioritize flexibility, work-life balance, and fair pay. Here’s what workers are…
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Read more →: How the Fed studies and understands housing’s key role in the economyHow the Fed studies and understands housing’s key role in the economy
The cost and availability of housing affect family budgets, labor force mobility, business growth, and the health of the economy. Learn how the Fed studies and engages with communities around vital housing trends, challenges, and innovations.
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Read more →: Small business strategies for supporting employee child care needsSmall business strategies for supporting employee child care needs
Small businesses employ nearly half of private-sector workers but often have limited resources to offer benefits like child care. This article examines the prevalence of employer-supported child care and the practical strategies small businesses employ to support working parents.