ASC's Intersections Newsletter — November 10, 2022
Nora's Note
Calling for a Modernized Small Business Administration. As election week winds to a close in the US, a new Congress is forming with the ability to make a large impact on the nation’s small businesses. Congress has not reauthorized the Small Business Administration (SBA) in full since 2000, preventing the SBA from being able to modernize key sectors and services. With loans and certifications provided to veteran-owned businesses, women-owned businesses and minority-owned businesses, the SBA’s work has a profound effect on economic opportunity and equality in America. As we emerge from the economic challenges of the pandemic and build back a more resilient nation, a full reauthorization of the SBA will ensure small businesses are not left behind. Join ASC and Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses in calling for a reauthorized and modernized SBA capable of evolving with America’s small businesses.
Transportation
Proposed Glassboro-Camden light rail line enters preliminary design phase. The Delaware River Port Authority, Port Authority Transit Corporation, and NJ Transit are beginning to design 14 new train stations on an 18-mile stretch of existing heavy rail line. Advocates hope the new line will give residents of southern New Jersey expanded access to Philadelphia, which will boost economic prospects in an area of ongoing job and population growth. Read more on how public input will be gathered throughout the preliminary design phase. (Source: Philly Voice)
Reuters: U.S. to spend $703 million on improving ports
Emerging Tech Brew: EV buses could help decarbonize more than just transit
Grist: US unveils $1 billion effort to electrify school buses
Mass Transit: MTA sets pandemic era ridership record on NYC subway anniversary
Post Star: Lake George school district proposes $13.5 million school transportation facility
Energy/Environment
Ten years after Sandy, Hoboken offers lessons in storm resilience. Following the extensive damage caused by Superstorm Sandy, Hoboken has undertaken a resiliency program combining rebuilding with flood management measures. The plans include a new “Resiliency Park” with playgrounds and a stormwater catch basin capable of holding up to 1 million gallons of water. A 1.5-mile-long flood barrier through the city will guard against storm surges up to 16 feet. Read more on the program’s progress and how this model is being updated as sea levels continue to rise. (Source: New Jersey Monitor)
Smart Cities Dive: Climate action ballot initiatives for Election Day 2022
Inside Climate News: Why the Feared Wave of Solar Panel Waste May Be Smaller and Arrive Later Than We Expected
E&E News: Plastic makes up 81% of trash in national parks, report says
Grist: A new tax credit for biogas could be a boon to factory farms
E&E News: Why these climate talks are different than other COPs
Economic Development
NYC's new pay transparency law goes into effect. Under the statute, any business employing four or more people with at least one employee working in the city must produce realistic salary ranges for all new job postings. The law covers both full-time and part-time workers and in-person and remote work. Advocates of the legislation argue the law's enactment will shed light on and reduce race and gender-based income inequality. Read more about how this new law aims to address inequality in the workplace and how it will be enforced. (Source: Spectrum News)
Fortune: 3 million Americans are still avoiding the workforce
The Business Journals: $62.7 million in federal funding will help Pittsburgh grow its autonomy sector
The Hill: Chicago, Scotland take a community wealth building approach to economic development
Fortune: The Fed hikes interest rates again by 75 basis points but hints at a break in the future
Smart Cities Dive: Can predictive analytics help prevent homelessness?
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