Strong Cities, Strong Communities
The Strong Cities, Strong Communities (SC2) initiative, first announced in July 2011, seeks to strengthen neighborhoods, towns, cities, and regions around the country by enhancing the capacity of local governments to develop and execute their economic vision and strategies, providing necessary technical assistance and access to federal agency expertise, and creating new public and private sector partnerships.
SC2 Economic Visioning Challenge
The SC2 Economic Visioning Challenge is a key component of the initiative that includes competitions in which the cities of Greensboro, N.C., Hartford, Conn., and Las Vegas, Nev., are working closely with the Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) to offer cash rewards for new solutions to strategic economic transition planning in each community. Winning plans will be selected by local leaders.
News
August 20, 2015 - EDA’s SC2 Economic Visioning Challenge (Blog Post)
February 2014 - Cities Launch Prize Competitions to Spur Economic Development Planning Strategies: The cities of Greensboro, NC; Hartford, Connecticut; and Las Vegas, Nevada have launched their SC2 Challenge competitions. These competitions are designed to assist Greensboro, Hartford and Las Vegas with leveraging innovative ideas and approaches from diverse perspectives to create and adopt actionable economic development proposals and plans. Each city’s competition is now open and the cities are looking for teams to submit their best ideas. Visit www.sc2prize.com to learn more.
April 26, 2013 - White House Blog Post and Link to SC2 Annual Report: Supporting Local Communities by Building Capacity and Cutting Red Tape (White House Blog Post)
September 20, 2012 - Obama Administration Announces Winners of Strong Cities, Strong Communities Challenge to Spur Economic Growth (Press Release)
June 14, 2012 - Strong Cities, Strong Communities Allocates $11 Million to Foster Economic Growth in American Cities (Press Release)
March 15, 2012 - Obama Administration Establishes White House Council on Strong Cities, Strong Communities (Press Release)
July 11, 2011 - Obama Administration Launches Strong Cities, Strong Communities to Support Local Development (Press Release)