Community Development

Social Purpose Real Estate Regional Conference

The St. Louis Fed and Social Innovation St. Louis co-sponsored a conference on social purpose real estate (SPRE). More than 100 community leaders gathered to listen to national thought leaders, study case examples and review emerging landscape projects in the St. Louis region. Principles to guide SPRE were identified through facilitated small-group discussions. Access conference materials, including a white paper; videos and photos from the conference; and the conference agenda.

Investing in America’s Workforce: Improving Outcomes for Workers and Employers

This Federal Reserve System initiative seeks to strengthen our nation’s economic potential through reframing and reimagining workforce development efforts, taking a broader view of them as investments rather than a limited view centered on the delivery of social services. This initiative will connect businesses, government, nonprofit and philanthropic partners to rethink policy and investments, attract new resources and improve economic mobility for workers.

Save the date for the initiative’s capstone conference in Austin, Texas, October 4–6. Sign up for updates from the initiative and to be the first to hear when conference registration opens.

Small Business Credit Survey: Report on Employer Firms (PDF) 

Results from the 2016 survey showed that while many small businesses with employees were profitable and optimistic in 2016, a significant majority faced financial challenges, experienced funding gaps and relied on personal finances. The Small Business Credit Survey (SBCS) is a national collaboration of the 12 Reserve Banks of the Federal Reserve System that provides intelligence on small business financial needs, decisions and outcomes to policymakers, researchers and service providers.

Impact Investing: Survey of Missouri Nonprofits

The goal of this survey of nonprofit leaders throughout Missouri was to learn more about their interest in social entrepreneurial activities, their need for outside capital to finance such activities and their ability to receive impact investment capital.

Could Housing Markets Face Another "Taper Tantrum" Moment?

Economist Bill Emmons analyzes the 4Q 2016 Housing Market Conditions Report, a quarterly overview of housing market conditions in the Federal Reserve's Eighth District.