Public Finance Summit
July 23
Chicago
Across the United States, communities are facing a new reality. Physical risks are increasing, infrastructure systems are under strain, and traditional sources of support are becoming more uncertain or less affordable. At the same time, state and local governments are eager to move forward and invest in stronger, more resilient communities.
Resilient America and Putting Assets to Work will bring together public sector leaders, practitioners, and investors to develop practical strategies for building resilience by unlocking the value of public assets, infrastructure, and financial tools already within reach.
On July 23, we will convene a one-day Summit to propose big ideas, understand the hurdles and learn from peers and leaders in the fields that impact state and local government decision-making.
Why This Moment Matters
For more than two centuries, American communities have grown through investments in infrastructure, housing, and public systems that support economic development and quality of life.
Today, those systems are under increasing pressure.
Physical risks are rising, affecting homes, infrastructure, and local economies. Insurance markets are tightening, placing additional strain on communities and property owners. At the same time, traditional financial support from higher levels of government is evolving, forcing state and local leaders to rethink how they fund long-term investments.
Yet across the country, communities are eager to act. Leaders are increasingly recognizing that resilience is not simply a defensive strategy—it is a pathway toward stronger local economies, better infrastructure, and more stable public finances.
The challenge is not a lack of commitment.
The challenge is building the financial playbook that allows communities to move forward.
What is Resilient America?Resilient America is a national initiative focused on embedding resilience into public finance and economic development strategies.
The initiative works with state and local governments to improve decision-making, identify new sources of investment, and unlock opportunities that already exist within public systems.
Resilient America focuses on helping communities:
Make better evidence-based financial and planning decisions
Develop creative approaches to funding resilience investments
Unlock the value of public assets and infrastructure systems
Integrate resilience into housing, infrastructure, and economic development
In many cases, the opportunity to strengthen communities is already hidden in plain sight—within public land, infrastructure systems, and the financial tools that governments already control.
The goal of Resilient America is to help communities unlock those opportunities.
What We Are DoingResilient America is launching a national effort to bring together leaders who are working to solve these challenges.
This work focuses on several areas.
Understanding what is at stake
Helping communities clearly articulate the financial, economic, and infrastructure risks they face—and why resilience investments are becoming a central priority for local governments.
Learning from real communities
Highlighting case studies and lessons learned from jurisdictions that are already advancing innovative resilience strategies.
Developing financing strategies
Exploring how public finance tools—such as infrastructure investment, asset management, land use strategies, and new revenue models—can support resilience investments.
Communicating the work
Helping public leaders explain resilience investments to constituents and stakeholders as part of a broader vision for economic development and community stability.
Turning ideas into action
Providing practical guidance and operational follow-up that allows communities to move from ideas to implementation.
