Jacksonville received a grant of $15,000 from NLC through funding by SCEI’s philanthropic partners and will join 19 other cities from across the Southern United States to develop strategies that boost economic mobility for residents and drive long-term economic growth.

SCEI programming includes tailored technical assistance, peer learning opportunities, access to data and experts from the Federal Reserve Bank, as well as connections to national funders and assistance to leverage longer-term funding—including an opportunity to apply for additional NLC grants of up to $60,000 and deeper assistance with strategy implementation.
 
Jacksonville’s grant will support the launch of the Family-Friendly Workplace Recognition Program, which will incentivize local employers to adopt policies that support working families—such as access to childcare, transportation benefits, and flexible scheduling. Businesses will be recognized through a certification system and offered technical assistance and resources to help them implement inclusive practices.

Other cities selected to participate in the initiative include Atlanta, Ga.; Canton, Ga.; Center Point, Ala.; Charlottesville, Va.; Fayetteville, Ark.; Greenville, Miss.; Harrisonburg, Va.; Jackson, Miss.; Jonesboro, Ga.; Lauderhill, Fla.; Little Rock, Ark.; Monroe, La.; Morrisville, N.C.; Nashville, Tenn.; Natchitoches, La.; New Orleans, La.; Pensacola, Fla.; Sunflower County, Miss.; and Thomasville, N.C.

“Jacksonville’s small businesses and entrepreneurs are a vital part of our economic landscape—driving innovation, creating jobs, and enriching our neighborhoods,” said Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan. “Through this program, we will be able to expand our reach to underserved groups, implement targeted support strategies, and foster meaningful collaboration – tracking our progress along the way. We look forward to being able to strengthen our services and build lasting impact across the city thanks to these resources.”

The Kids Hope Alliance (KHA) will administer the grant for the city.

“This initiative gives us an opportunity to recognize and support employers who are actively removing barriers for working families,” said Dr. Saralyn Grass, CEO, Kids Hope Alliance. “From access to childcare and transportation to flexible work policies, Jacksonville is committed to creating a more inclusive economy. We are honored to lead this effort on behalf of the City and look forward to building a stronger network of family-friendly workplaces across our community.”
 
“Local governments play a critical role in driving economic growth and expanding opportunities for all residents,” said NLC CEO and Executive Director Clarence E. Anthony. “The South has significant potential to lead on economic resilience and serve as a model for the nation. We are thrilled to collaborate with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta on the Southern Cities Economic Initiative to provide the tools to build stronger, more resilient economies.”

SCEI’s initial planning phase will run through October 31, 2025. Upon completion of the planning phase, participating cities will have an opportunity to advance to a more intensive implementation phase, which extends through December 2027.

This initiative is made possible through the generous support of The Annie E. Casey Foundation, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Nathan Cummings Foundation, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Learn more at https://www.nlc.org/initiative/southern-cities-economic-inclusion-scei-expanding-capacity-building-resilience.