Community-based business support organizations are essential to the economic development ecosystem for towns, cities, and rural communities, yet they often face challenges accessing federal economic development funding. A bipartisan bill to address this issue, the Capacity Building for Business Districts Pilot Program, would, if enacted, enable the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to more effectively direct funding and capacity building support to local organizations that support small businesses and revitalize downtowns.

Main Street America and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) invite you to join a stakeholder briefing on the pending legislation. Tune in to hear the latest developments in Congress and learn about how you can help make the Capacity Building for Business Districts program a reality.

Speakers include: - Erin Barnes, President & CEO, Main Street America - Robby Blair, Executive Director, Main Street Martinsburg - Elizabeth Demetrieu, VP of Economic Development, LISC - Matthew Josephs, SVP of Policy, LISC (Moderator) - Gabriel Muñoz, Founder & Executive Director, The Toolbox Small Business Resource Center - Lauren Rosenbaum, Senior Policy Officer, LISC

With special remarks from: - Congressman Troy Carter (D-LA-02) - Congressman Mike Ezell (R-MS-04)

Registration is required to tune in live. This briefing will be recorded and made available on mainstreet.org.