The City of Lauderhill has been selected to participate in the next phase of the Southern Cities Economic Initiative (SCEI), a program led by the National League of Cities (NLC).
The city received a second “implementation” grant through SCEI’s philanthropic partners and will join 13 other cities across the Southeastern United States to develop strategies aimed at boosting economic mobility and driving long-term growth for residents.
Participation in SCEI will provide Lauderhill with tailored technical assistance, peer learning opportunities, access to data and content experts from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, connections to national funders, and support to leverage longer-term funding. The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta does not provide funding and did not participate in participant selection or grant decisions for SCEI participants.
During the project’s initial planning phase, Lauderhill received a planning grant to support the creation of the Build and Bloom incubator. The funds helped develop a comprehensive business plan and host a community focus group, gathering direct input from residents and entrepreneurs to shape the program’s structure. The new implementation grant will advance the incubator through cohort-based programming, workshops, and one-on-one support, with activities focused on participant recruitment, program delivery, partner collaboration, and outcome tracking to ensure measurable impact and long-term sustainability.
Other cities selected for the initiative include Atlanta, Ga.; Center Point, Ala.; Charlottesville, Va.; Fayetteville, Ark.; Greenville, Miss.; Harrisonburg, Va.; Jackson, Miss.; Jonesboro, Ga.; Little Rock, Ark.; Monroe, La.; Natchitoches, La.; New Orleans, La.; and Thomasville, N.C.
“Lauderhill’s selection to join the Southern Cities Economic Initiative marks a pivotal step in empowering our residents and entrepreneurs with opportunity and growth. By leveraging targeted technical assistance, data-driven strategies, and the Build and Bloom incubator, we are building a pathway to lasting economic mobility and sustainable prosperity for our community,” said Mayor Denise D. Grant.
“The South is a region of remarkable strength, innovation, and resilience, and cities across the region are primed to overcome the barriers of limited job growth, access to capital and affordable housing,” said NLC CEO and Executive Director Clarence E. Anthony. “We are pleased to see this select group of 14 cities and work with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta to build stronger, more resilient economies and create opportunities for all residents to thrive.”
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