Nation's Cities - September 26, 2011

September 26, 2011
NATION’S CITIES WEEKLY 5

Guide to Help Cities Attract Foreign Investment, Expand Trade
by Christiana McFarland
A new NLC Center for
Research and Innovation
guide, “Strategies for Globally
Competitive Cities: Local Roles
in Foreign Direct Investment
and International Trade,” pro-
vides local leaders with practi-
cal tools, resources and promis-
ing practices to create stronger
global linkages.

The guide targets specific
action steps for developing an
effective FDI strategy, includ-
ing:
• Identify assets and key
sectors;
• Create regional aware-
ness;
•
•
and
• Monitor and provide
aftercare.
Also highlighted in the guide
are various approaches to inter-
national trade:
• Support small- and
medium-sized businesses
(SMEs) by identifying partners
and resources, and creating

channels for businesses to access
these resources.
• Support international
students at local post-secondary
education institutions through
partnerships and programs that
foster positive relationships
between international students
and the community.
The guide draws on lessons
learned from NLC’s recent
Leadership Academy on Local
Economic Competitiveness in
a Global Era, which brought
together teams of local elected
officials, staff and key stake-
holders with experts from all
levels of government, academic
and business sectors to discuss
critical opportunities and chal-
lenges of FDI and international
trade and to showcase promis-
ing practices from cities and
regions across the country.

Details: Download a copy of
the guide from the Economic
Development page of www.
nlc.org. For more information
contact Christiana McFarland,
program director, Finance and
Economic Development, at
mcfarland@nlc.org.
Last Chance to Register for Foreign Investment, Trade Webinar
Identify investor leads;
Facilitate and prepare;
Register now for the upcoming complimen-
tary NLC Center for Research and Innovation
webinar, “Strategies for Globally Competitive
Cities: Foreign Direct Investment and Trade,”
on September 27 from 3 to 4 p.m. Eastern
time. Learn how to attract foreign direct
investment (FDI) and expand international
trade — two arenas in which local leaders
can make a true impact in their roles as cata-
lysts, conveners and connectors. Local elected
officials, economic development practitioners,
regional leaders and other community stake-
holders are encouraged to participate.
Moderator Christiana McFarland, NLC
Program Director for Finance and Economic
Development, will provide an overview of
NLC’s new guide, Strategies for Globally
Competitive Cities: Local Roles in Foreign
Investment and International Trade, followed
by reflections from leaders in the field.

Details: The webinar is free, but space
is limited, so please register as soon as pos-
sible, at http://eo2.commpartners.com/users/
nlc/?id=7408. For more information con-
tact Christiana McFarland, program direc-
tor, Finance and Economic Development, at
mcfarland@nlc.org.
Human Development Committee Discusses Social Security, Health
by Neil Bomberg
The Human Development
(HD) Policy and Advocacy Steering
Committee held its most recent meet-
ing in Durham, N.C. Betty Taylor,
councilor, Eugene, Ore., chaired the
meeting, which was hosted by Durham
Mayor Pro Tem Cora Cole-McFadden.

For example, Spartanburg has been
using farmers’ markets to ensure that
all of its citizens have access to healthy
foods, especially for residents who live
in so-called food deserts.
Cathedral City has been creating
opportunities for its residents to lead
more active lifestyles by developing bike
and walking paths.
Greenbelt has focused on improving
the health of its citizens and employees
by sponsoring special fitness events at
various parks and schools, establishing
a “Get Active Greenbelt” program for
residents and employees, and providing
educational programs on health and
well-being.

• Nominee must be a female elected official who has
demonstrated excellencein leadership and worked to
help other individuals strive to achieve similar goals.
• Nominee must be a female elected official who has
been actively involved with the National League of
Cities or a state municipal league.
• Nominee must be a local elected female official from
an NLC member city.
• Nominee must have served in a municipal elected
office for at least t wo years.
For more information and a nomination packet,
please visit www.nlc.org/wimg, under “news & events”.
Nomination Criteria

• Nominee must be nominated by a colleague,
constituent, or organization.
• Nominee must have a completed nomination form
submitted to NLC by September 30.
• Nominee and Nominator must review, sign and date
the nomination form.
• Nominee must be in a municipal elected office
through December 31. Members of the WIMG
Board of Directors are not eligible to be nominated.

Program overview
The National League of Cities’ (NLC) Women in Municipal
Government (WIMG) constituency group again launches
its leadership award recognizing female municipal officials
for unique and outstanding leadership in local government.
Each year, a winner will be recognized for individual
achievement in initiating creative and successful programs
in municipal government that help citizens, particularly
if the leadership serves as a specific mentoring model
for future female leaders. The WIMG Leadership Award
promotes the increased representation of women in local
government and is designed to encourage more women to
run for elected municipal office.