Community Highlights

The Richmond Fed’s Community Development staff recently spent two days listening, learning and sharing with members of the Bank’s Community Investment Council during a bi-annual meeting hosted in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

The Council is comprised of leaders from across the Bank’s territory (Virginia, Maryland, South Carolina, North Carolina, Washington, D.C., and parts of West Virginia) who understand the challenges and opportunities for local economic growth, especially with respect to community investment tools and policies. Members met with Richmond Fed leaders on Oct. 5–6 to discuss the emerging issues and trends they are seeing in their communities. They also shared insights about education, health care, entrepreneurship, access to capital and credit, and housing.

The retreat included presentations on Heirs’ Property, the Richmond Fed’s Rural Investment Collaborative and the Fed’s work with community colleges. Council members and the Community Development staff also had an opportunity to participate in the South Carolina Association of Community Economic Development’s annual conference, Opportunity SC, during which they explored issues such as housing, successful partnership models and capacity building. Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin served as keynote speaker for the Opportunity SC conference luncheon.

“As always, we value the time, passion and insights that each council member brought to the table during this retreat,” said Erika Bell, the Bank’s Community Development regional manager for North Carolina and South Carolina.

Carrie Cook, vice president of Community Development and the Bank’s community affairs officer, echoed those sentiments.

“Council member insights continue to shape our Bank’s community development strategy around capital access and labor market participation,” Cook said. “Hearing their real-time experiences helps to paint a fuller picture around community and economic conditions that strengthen our research and partnerships.”