Economic Development
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“Not one story, but many”: Fed policymakers enhance their understanding of rural economies through outreach
Fed Reserve leaders continue to deepen their knowledge about challenges and opportunities in rural parts of the country.
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![[Watch] Understanding Benefits Cliffs: Evidence, Insights, and Open Questions](https://fedcommunities.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/benefits-cliff-connecting-communities.jpg?w=1232)
[Watch] Understanding Benefits Cliffs: Evidence, Insights, and Open Questions
Benefits cliffs can hinder economic mobility when career advancement results in the loss of public benefits. In this Connecting Communities webinar, explore research, innovative pilot programs, and community-driven strategies to help workers, employers, and policy makers navigate these challenges. Watch or listen on demand.
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“We want to know what our businesses need”: Nevada small business center values Fed’s Small Business Credit Survey insights
The Nevada Small Business Development Center gains useful data and insights into what its small-firm clientele needs because of its partnership in the Federal Reserve’s annual Small Business Credit Survey.
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Beyond the household budget: A conversation on the affordability and economics of child care
Child care availability has significant implications for the nation’s economic health. An economist, policy experts, and a Fed researcher share perspectives and considerations related to thinking about child care affordability and how it impacts accessibility.
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Labor, Income, Finances, and Expectations (LIFE) Survey
The Labor, Income, Finances, and Expectations (LIFE) Survey collects data on topics related to the Consumer Finance Institute’s mission to better understand how people earn, spend, save, and invest, as well as how credit markets and payment systems affect the economy.
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Community perspectives and conditions from the Fed’s Beige Book, July 2026
Communities nationwide are dealing with higher costs, limited affordable housing, workforce shifts, and less funding for training. Some workers now value stability more than advancement, while employers focus on hiring candidates with strong soft skills and offer job training.
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Where Are the Underbanked Areas?
This data tool can help organizations (financial institutions, community organizations, researchers and policymakers) identify where unbanked and underbanked households live, which financial services they use, and key demographic patterns.
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The Quarterly Catch-up, Q2 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 April 1 and June 2026, on topics affecting communities.
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“This is a way for Nebraska to be heard”: Coalition drives responses for—and representation in—the Fed’s Small Business Credit Survey
Two agencies supporting small business growth in Nebraska have teamed up to drive survey responses for the Federal Reserve’s annual Small Business Credit Survey. Their coalition efforts have yielded valuable insights into what small business owners in the state need—and helped bring their voices into policy discussions.
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Beyond broadband: The link between digital access and financial well-being
As financial services increasingly move online, internet access and digital skills are becoming essential for financial well-being. Learn more about the link between digital access and financial access through tools and community advocates who are working to build digital skills and connect people to safe financial services.