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Wealth inequality in the United States has reached unprecedented levels, leaving millions of Americans struggling to achieve economic stability, much less access economic mobility. This article summarizes the strategies shared by panelists at our Winter 2025 Meeting that mayors can use to advance local wealth and opportunity for residents.

Climate change continues to pose unprecedented challenges for cities, and the 2024 hurricane season reminded us that flood resilient infrastructure is critical—and increasingly complicated to fund, implement, and manage. This article is a summary of the data, financing, and leadership tools that mayors need to plan for and implement projects to help their cities withstand and recover quickly from floods.

High-speed internet is a necessity in everyday life for all Americans, yet many across the country lack access to affordable, reliable internet service. Less than fifty percent of Americans have access to fiber-optic broadband, the fastest and most reliable form of connection. This article shares the innovative measures cities have used to bring broadband to their communities.

Across the country, workers in many industries face wage theft in one form or another. When looking towards accountability, agencies at all levels are often impeded by state-level preemptive laws that prevent local governments from enacting ordinances that would guarantee fair labor practices and access to secure wages. Though many cities face this barrier, there are still a number of effective strategies that local leaders can implement to combat wage theft.

As President Trump’s deportation plans begin to take shape, refugee and immigrant communities across the country face fear and uncertainty. This article shares five timely recommendations for what cities and local leaders can do to dispel fear and promote a culture of welcoming.

In celebration of National Welcoming Week, a time to celebrate the diversity of communities and commit to making cities safe, welcoming, and inclusive places where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, this article provides best practices for local governments to support and protect immigrant communities.

Child care in America has long had issues as costs are steep for providers and parents. In most US states, child care costs exceed the cost of college tuition. This article shares how cities and local governments are implementing innovative ways to make child care more affordable and accessible.

The American Rescue Plan Act, signed into law by President Biden in spring 2021, was designed to provide direct funding to cities, towns, and villages to help them respond to and recover from the impacts of the COVID 19 pandemic. Since that time, cities have responded to this unprecedented direct funding with a slew of innovative programs designed to invest in long term resilience and to support sectors and communities particularly impacted by the pandemic. This article highlights some of the most innovative uses of ARPA funding, including the expansion of affordable housing, investments in digital equity, and workforce training.

The summer of 2024 was one of the hottest on record, and cities across the country are feeling the heat. Hot days are becoming hotter and more frequent. Yet, cities are working to combat heat in innovative ways. From Phoenix’s cool pavement to Cleveland’s Community Forestry Corps Program, this article highlights how cities are taking action to beat the heat and create cooler, safer, more sustainable cities.

In partnership with AARP Livable Communities and Smart Growth America, the Mayors Innovation Project held its second annual cohort of the Mayors Institute on Pedestrian Safety (MIPS).