Lawrence, Springfield selected for new NLC Cities of Opportunity programs

The cities of Lawrence and Springfield have been chosen to participate in new programs offered through Cities of Opportunity, a National League of Cities’ initiative that focuses on leadership and equity in America’s cities.

On Jan. 25, the NLC announced that 23 communities across the country would join three new components of the Cities of Opportunity initiative:
• The Mayors’ Institute on Job Creation and Economic Opportunity to Improve Health and Equity
• The Turning Crisis into Pathways to Equity & Resiliency Action Cohort
• The Cities and Health Systems Community of Practice

The city of Lawrence will participate in the Cities and Health Systems Community of Practice, an effort to address the causes of inequities in quality of life and life expectancy — factors that include access to healthy and affordable food, reliable transportation, safe living conditions and clean air and water.

Springfield will participate in the Mayors’ Institute on Job Creation and Economic Opportunity to Improve Health and Equity. The Mayors’ Institute will explore strategies such as collaboration with state and federal governments, social enterprise, entrepreneurship, the role of anchor institutions, data, and technology, among others. The mayors and their teams will drive peer-to-peer conversations to encourage economic innovation with a focus on supporting low- to no-income populations who face significant employment barriers.

The Turning Crisis into Pathways to Equity & Resiliency Action Cohort involves local leaders who are seizing this moment of pandemic and social upheaval to change power structures, policies and systems that have blocked opportunities for Black and Indigenous residents, people of color and marginalized communities.

According to the NLC, communities that are named Cities of Opportunity have policies, practices and programs that give everyone a fair chance to pursue their dreams regardless of demographics or background. Leaders in the selected cities work to address factors affecting life expectancy and harness political will to work with elected officials, stakeholders and other partners.