WASHINGTON, March 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- National League of Cities and Northeastern University's Kitty and Michael Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy are launching the Economic Development Partnership.  This partnership will assist cities and towns in attracting and expanding private investment, a sustainable tax base and well paying jobs.

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As the nation's cities and towns continue to face severe fiscal challenges, they are seeking economic development solutions that are more informed, accountable, and effective than ever before.  Cities enrolled in the Economic Development Partnership are guided through an assessment of their economic strengths and weaknesses and provided practical strategies to surmount the "deal breakers" within their control that discourage critically needed private sector investment.  

"The Partnership will assist cities in responding to the rapidly changing economic conditions. The systematic approach employed by the program will give communities a leg up in creating a strong foundation for future economic growth and development," said Ronald Loveridge, mayor, Riverside Calif., and President, National League of Cities.

Specifically, communities enrolled in the Partnership will receive:

• A robust and confidential tool that allows them to assess their economic environment, including access to customers and market, municipal processes and labor
• Benchmarks for local strengths and weaknesses
• Detailed guidance on where to focus efforts, including extensive on-site consultation and training

For more information or to enroll in the Economic Development Partnership, visit http://www.economicdevelopment.neu.edu/.

The National League of Cities is the nation's oldest and largest organization devoted to strengthening and promoting cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans. 

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SOURCE National League of Cities

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