economic opportunity
Impact - June 2023
DOT Expands Micromobility to Queens, Echoing CUF RecommendationsThe city’s Department of Transportation announced that the successful e-scooter sharing program piloted in the Bronx will expand to eastern Queens. CUF's recent commentary on expanding micromobility in all five boroughs called for the expansion of the Bronx e-scooter pilot to less transit-rich neighborhoods in Queens.
Impact - January 2023
CUF’s Research Helps to Spark Inclusion of CDFIs in NYC Small Business Opportunity FundIn January, Mayor Adams announced the launch of a $75 million Small Business Opportunity Fund, that will tap the city's nonprofit Community Development Financial Institutions as lending partners, mirroring the Center’s recommendations for the city to make CDFIs a key partner in efforts to strengthen under-resourced small businesses.
Impact - December 2022
CUF inspires new bills to expand job opportunities for New Yorkers with disabilitiesIn late December, the City Council passed two bills that would expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities, inspired by research and recommendations from CUF’s March 2022 Access Opportunity report.
Impact - October 2022
NYC invests in teen library spaces, echoing CUF's recommendationsMayor Adams announced a $15-million investment in dedicated teen spaces and programs across New York City’s public libraries, reflecting key recommendations from CUF's history of research on libraries.
Impact - September 2022
CUF report influences City Council bill to create Small Business Digitization TeamCouncil Member Julie Menin introduced a bill to establish an Office of Small Business Digitalization to help many more small businesses in the city get online. This initiative follows CUF's event on how to help more minority-owned businesses get online and our report No Small Relief, which included recommendations for city leaders to help small businesses adapt to the digital world.
Impact - September 2022
CUF sparks new city initiative to re-enroll working age students at CUNYThe newly launched CUNY Reconnect initiative was directly inspired by a January 2022 CUF report, which urged city officials to help re-enroll adult New Yorkers who earned some college credits but left school before completing a degree.
Impact - August 2022
CUF spurs TAP expansion for part-time studentsGovernor Hochul announced a $150 million initiative to expand the state tuition assistance program (TAP) to part-time CUNY and SUNY students. For nearly a decade now, CUF has urged state policymakers to make part-time students eligible for the state’s main tuition assistance program.
Impact - August 2022
CUF shapes a major city budget increase for public librariesThe city announced a major $20 million dollar increase for its public libraries for the 2023 fiscal year. This budget win comes after CUF has consistently called for increased funding for libraries, proven to be the most democratic and versatile type of social infrastructure in New York City, yet one of the most underfunded.
Impact - March 2022
CUF shapes Mayor Adams's economic recovery blueprintMayor Eric Adams released “Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent: A Blueprint for New York City’s Economic Recovery,” which outlines the mayor’s vision for an economic recovery focused on equity and economic mobility. Several of the mayor’s proposals align with recent research and recommendations from the Center for an Urban Future.
Impact - March 2022
CUF report influences Robin Hood/LaGuardia Community College program to reengage adult learnersLaGuardia Community College and Robin Hood launched a new initiative to encourage working-age New Yorkers with some college but no degree to complete a credential, reflecting CUF’s January 2022 report Reengaging Adult Learners to Complete College Degrees.
