HUD is co-hosting a free webinar series with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development (USDA-RD) and the National Coalition of Promise Zones.

The second webinar in this series highlights efforts made by Promise Zones as it relates to promoting job opportunities and providing small business support.

Promise Zones are high poverty communities where the federal government partners with local leaders to increase economic activity, improve educational opportunities, leverage private investment, reduce violent crime, enhance public health, and address other priorities identified by the community.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic tragically affected our nation, which has since resulted in 500,000 deaths, 28.1 million total cases, and a disastrous impact upon small businesses and many sectors of employment. Like many communities, Promise Zones had to pivot their strategies and respond to the immediate needs affecting their residents. This webinar series highlights these efforts, especially as it relates to COVID-19 testing, responding to food shortages and shelter response, promoting job opportunities and small business support, and solving the digital divide – all of which have been exacerbated by the closures of schools and many work-from-home requirements by employers.