ICIC Convenes National Leaders To Focus on Strengthening Urban Economies

Business Wire, Sept 23, 2008

New policies to stimulate the struggling U.S. economy must include America's inner cities. Urban recovery could serve as a national model; neglect could be devastating.

MIAMI -- At a time when economic uncertainty is spreading across the country, a broad coalition of corporate, civic, policy, and academic leaders from around the U.S. will gather September 25th and 26th in Miami at ICIC's sixth annual Inner City Economic Forum (ICEF) Summit determined to ensure that America's long-neglected inner cities are not left out of future stimulus plans. Now in its sixth year, ICEF is nationally recognized for its success in formulating and implementing an action agenda for market-led inner city revitalization.

Speakers include, Harvard Business School Professor and ICIC Founder and CEO Michael E. Porter, the Brookings Institution's Bruce Katz, Miami Mayor Manuel Diaz, former HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros; Roy Bernardi, Deputy Secretary, US Housing and Urban Development to name a few. For more information about the 2008 Summit, visit www.icic.org.

With a change in leadership due in Washington and at a time of economic and financial distress for the entire nation, the future of America's inner cities is at a crossroad. In a robust economy inner cities have had success drawing attention to their case for inclusion. But when hardships are widespread, analysts say, there is a danger that low-income urban neighborhoods will fall back into obscurity.

The ICEF meeting in Miami presents a timely opportunity for policymakers, and business and civic leaders to ensure that inner city economic development and revitalization is positioned at the forefront of the federal agenda over the next decade. This year's ICEF Summit, co-sponsored by ICIC and the Brookings Institution's Metropolitan Policy Program, will focus on "Putting the Inner City First." The collaboration between ICIC and Brookings brings inner cities into sharper focus as economic entities, while at the same time a part of broader metropolitan areas. Policies and economic initiatives must be developed with recognition of their unique characteristics.

Location: Marriott Biscayne Bay, 1633 North Bayshore Drive, Miami, Florida 33132

About The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City

The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) is a national, non-partisan, not-for-profit organization founded in 1994 by Harvard Business School Professor Michael E. Porter, following several years of pioneering research on inner-city business and economic development. ICIC's mission is to promote economic prosperity in America's inner cities through private sector engagement that leads to jobs, income and wealth creation for local residents. ICIC brings together business and civic leaders to drive innovation and action, transform thinking and accelerate inner city business growth and investment. For more information, please visit our web site at www.icic.org

About the Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings

Created in 1996, the Metropolitan Policy Program provides decision makers with cutting-edge research and policy ideas for improving the health and prosperity of metropolitan areas including their component cities, suburbs and rural areas. It's Blueprint for American Prosperity initiative promotes an economic agenda for the nation that builds on the assets and centrality of America's metropolitan areas. Grounded in empirical research and analysis, the Blueprint offers an integrated policy agenda and specific federal reforms designed to give metropolitan areas the tools they need to generate economically productive growth, to build a strong and diverse middle class, and to grow in environmentally sustainable ways. www.brookings.edu/metro