The City of Jacksonville has been chosen to participate in the Southern Cities Economic Initiative (SCEI), a program spearheaded by the National League of Cities (NLC) in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.
As part of its selection, Jacksonville will receive a $15,000 grant from NLC, funded by SCEI’s philanthropic partners. The city will join 19 other municipalities across the Southern United States in developing strategies aimed at enhancing economic mobility for residents and fostering long-term economic growth.
The SCEI program offers participating cities tailored technical assistance, opportunities for peer learning, access to data and experts from the Federal Reserve Bank, connections to national funders, and support in leveraging longer-term funding. This includes a future opportunity to apply for additional NLC grants of up to $60,000 and deeper assistance with strategy implementation.
Jacksonville’s initial grant funding will support the launch of the Family-Friendly Workplace Recognition Program. This initiative will incentivize local employers to adopt policies that support working families, such as providing access to childcare, transportation benefits, and flexible scheduling options. Businesses that implement these inclusive practices will be recognized through a certification system and offered technical assistance and resources to further support their efforts.
Other cities participating in the Southern Cities Economic Initiative include Atlanta, Ga.; Canton, Ga.; Center Point, Ala.; Charlottesville, Va.; Fayetteville, Ark.; Greenville, Miss.; Harrisonburg, Va.; Jackson, Miss.; Jonesboro, Ga.; Lauderhill, Fla.; Little Rock, Ark.; Monroe, La.; Morrisville, N.C.; Nashville, Tenn.; Natchitoches, La.; New Orleans, La.; Pensacola, Fla.; Sunflower County, Miss.; and Thomasville, N.C.
Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan expressed enthusiasm for the program, stating, “Jacksonville’s small businesses and entrepreneurs are a vital part of our economic landscape—driving innovation, creating jobs, and enriching our neighborhoods. Through this program, we will be able to expand our reach to underserved groups, implement targeted support strategies, and foster meaningful collaboration – tracking our progress along the way. We look forward to being able to strengthen our services and build lasting impact across the city thanks to these resources.”
The Kids Hope Alliance (KHA) will be responsible for administering the grant on behalf of the city.
“This initiative gives us an opportunity to recognize and support employers who are actively removing barriers for working families,” said Dr. Saralyn Grass, CEO of Kids Hope Alliance. “From access to childcare and transportation to flexible work policies, Jacksonville is committed to creating a more inclusive economy. We are honored to lead this effort on behalf of the City and look forward to building a stronger network of family-friendly workplaces across our community.”
NLC CEO and Executive Director Clarence E. Anthony emphasized the critical role of local governments in driving economic growth. “Local governments play a critical role in driving economic growth and expanding opportunities for all residents,” Anthony said. “The South has significant potential to lead on economic resilience and serve as a model for the nation. We are thrilled to collaborate with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta on the Southern Cities Economic Initiative to provide the tools to build stronger, more resilient economies.”
The initial planning phase of the SCEI will continue through October 31, 2025. Participating cities will then have the opportunity to move into a more intensive implementation phase, which will extend through December 2027.
The Southern Cities Economic Initiative is supported by the generous contributions of The Annie E. Casey Foundation, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Nathan Cummings Foundation, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
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