A state-wide organization in Colorado has convened business leaders and corporate executives to address childcare barriers with information about tax credits to Colorado families and employees, state advocacy on childcare needs, and efforts to invest in and launch childcare businesses across the state.

North Dakota | Pop. 98,360 | 7 counties

The council developed a mission and inclusivity statement to align new programs with organizational goals. Learn more here.

Montana | Pop. 111,913 | 5 counties

In collaboration with the City of Shelby in Montana, Sweetgrass Development, sought to address increasing housing costs and renovate an abandoned school. Staff provided expertise in brownfield restoration and access to EPA funding and supported the city in completing the property assessments and moving forward with a plan to clean up and renovate the building. The long-term goal after the cleanup ends is to convert the space into multi-family housing designed to meet the needs of Shelby residents.

Missouri/Kansas | Pop. 1,186,175 | 8 counties

The council builds on the regional collaborative model established with KC Rising to create Climate Action KC. This coalition, with more than 100 local and state leaders, crafted a climate action plan to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Iowa | Pop. 198,817 | 5 counties

The association sought to address the lack of affordable starter homes in their region through a collaborative project that formed a pocket neighborhood, the Bear River Cottages, in Maquoketa, Iowa. While leveraging local partnerships and grant funding, each of the ten 1,000-square-foot homes in this cluster-style development centered around a common landscaped area was sold to eligible households (buyers making 80% or less of the Area Median Income) for $150,000.