This weeks #GOPCThread takes a look back at some of the panels and keynotes that GOPC’s staff viewed during the recent virtual policy summit hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.

Not on Twitter, the thread is available online, as well as below.

Greater Ohio Policy Center Read on Twitter

This weeks #GOPCThread takes a look back at some of the important discussions and ideas shared during the recent @CleveFed_ComDev’s #PolicySummit2021.

At the #PolicySummit2021, @policylink; @urbaninstitute; & UPenn discussed the importance of embedding racial equity in housing analyses & disaggregating data to uncover disparities. Presenters shared stats, resources, & suggested readings. #GOPCThread #equity

.@policylink says racism is our most urgent challenge & data helps unpack disparities to better address them. Ohio is becoming more diverse, & equity is key to prosperity. People of color currently represent over 20% of Ohio’s population #GOPCThread

.@urbaninstitute discussed linkages between housing issues & other life problems—making a case that housing has a major role in the pursuit of racial equity & data’s part in addressing inequities. For resources on dismantling structural racism #GOPCThread

UPenn says acknowledge the impacts that bias has on data &, as a result, policy. Consequences highlight a critical need to include community voices & center all stages of processes on equity. For how to center racial equity in data integration #GOPCThread

On a housing panel, speakers discussed the difficulty many potential homebuyers have when seeking small-dollar mortgage loans. Often, these loans are overlooked by large financial institutions due to a smaller return when compared to larger loans. #PolicySummit2021 #GOPCThread

Panelists noted increasing access to capital for smaller financial players, such as regional banks & credit unions, can allow capital to flow into small-dollar mortgages in communities across the country #PolicySummit2021 #GOPCThread

On a #smbiz panel, @_DanielleSydnor say about creating a #smbiz resource center 5 days after shut-down: “we like to plan & strategize, but w/ COVID we just had to respond.” Planning paralysis can be real, sometimes orgs must just act #PolicySummit2021 #GOPCThread

Geri Agliplay w/@SmlBizMajority noted they saw a rise in predatory lending during the pandemic that disproportionately targeted BIPOC & women entrepreneurs. Fed. policy proposals can help regulate online lending + protect borrowers #PolicySummit2021 #GOPCThread

Geri Agliplay w/@SmlBizMajority is working w/ partners interested in simultaneously working on pandemic recovery *and* closing the racial wealth gap in Chicagoland. This type of ST/LT approach is esp. important for legacy n’hoods + cities #PolicySummit2021, #GOPCThread

.@_DanielleSydnor mentioned the potential shared services have for biz. What if 10 bizs shared an attorney or CPA or social media marketing director? We think this is a great idea—saves $$ and increases capacity! #PolicySummit2021, #GOPCThread

On a panel re: Innovation: @USDOL’s CIO, @ChikeAgul, argues for economic & community resilience: “The table must be wide: all sectors and people being served are given not just a voice but a vote at that table”. Great quote!  #PolicySummit2021 #GOPCThread

. @ChikeAgul: “Wrap around services are important.” (e.g. childcare, transportation, housing). Our local partners in #Ohio often tell us this. State policies + $$ for these services are needed#PolicySummit2021, #GOPCThread

A Resiliency Panel included experts from @Pittsburgh @CitiesCatalyst & @RCitiesNetwork who discussed the importance of resiliency planning in local govt as they respond to and plan for post-pandemic recovery #GOPCThread #PolicySummit2021

.@NimbleChameleon shared resources available on @RCitiesNetwork toolkit helping #localgovt assess post-covid: What activities were stopped that should not restart? What was paused that should restart differently? And what things started that should be kept? #GOPCThread

.@CorinneLeT walked through the data-driven framework for efficient+effective+equitable recovery in #NYC, stressing that a holistic approach should synergize recovery efforts across sectors #GOPCThread #PolicySummit2021

.@IMajestic & @ervin_grant from @resilientPGH gave on the ground-examples for how #Pittsburgh is looking at the interplay between #equity and #resilience in many issues, and taking a multi-agency approach on issues like #energyburden  #GOPCThread #PolicySummit2021

During the final session of the #PolicySummit2021, a panel of experts discussed #inclusiverecovery in the Midwest. Panelist included @DianeSwonk, @AOneHandedEcon, @LabProsperity’s Crystal German, @Kennedy_School’s Ronald Ferguson, & @mattdunnevt #GOPCThread

Inclusive recovery will be key to overcoming the COVID-downturn, the most recent ‘economic shock’ to impact communities throughout the midwest in the past 20 years. This will be especially challenging in a region that is usually show to recover from these downturns #GOPCThread  

.@DianeSwonk: Nationally, among the impacts on the economy has been the shift from an urban to a suburban workforce due to remote work; manufacturing has been stable, but has been negatively impacted by supply-chain issues; hardest hit has been the service industry #GOPCThread

.@AOneHandedEcon: Structural barriers to recovery in OH include access to child care & minority comm. being isolated from job centers. He noted that a lack of stimulus delayed the recovery from the great recession & it remains to be seen if #ARPA will keep this from happening now

.@LabProsperity’s German noted that COVID had a disproportionately high impact on black & brown owned businesses, who also had challenges accessing relief funds created under the CARES act. These same communities also were disproportionately impacted by the virus #GOPCThread 

All panelists noted access to #broadband as a challenge throughout both urban & rural communities. @mattdunnevt noted that people are & will continue to make decisions on where to live & work based on ready access to this public utility #GOPCThread #PolicySummit2021

Panelists focused on the need to “grow the pie” rather than cutting it more equally to have an inclusive recovery. This includes ensuring all have access to tech., embrace the rapid change that is happening, & focusing on “experiential learning” #GOPCThread #PolicySummit2021 

Many thanks to the @ClevelandFed for organizing a great summit that produced so much thought-provoking content & provided great ideas & policies to address #Equity issues in Ohio and beyond. #PolicySummit2021 #GOPCThread