Mayors released annual U.S. Metro Economies Report, held sessions on key issues such as gun violence prevention and ARPA implementation, and met with Biden administration officials
Washington, D.C.— On the first day of the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) 90th Annual Winter Meeting, America’s mayors gathered for a productive day to discuss the biggest challenges facing our cities today.
The day started with the Council on Metro Economies and the New America City, which featured new forecast data from the Conference’s annual U.S. Metro Economic Report. The new report, which can be found here, revealed that cities are continuing to power our nation’s economic recovery, following the COVID-19 public health emergency. In 2021, metro economies experienced faster Real GDP Growth (5.9%) than the national average (5.7%), and this trend is expected to continue into 2022.
The report also outlined challenges that remain for the economic recovery in America’s cities, including workforce shortages and a decline in labor participation. America’s mayors are ready to help address these issues by promoting vaccinations, providing childcare services, working with schools to keep them safely open, and improving workforce training.
Throughout the day, mayors participated in breakout sessions on implementing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, reducing gun violence, addressing homelessness, and many other vital issues. Mayors spoke during the panel on ‘Reducing Gun Violence in Cities’ about what needs to be done to reduce homicides and other violent crimes absent congressional action. American Rescue Plan Coordinator and Senior Advisor to President Gene Sperling also held a special session with mayors on how cities can use ARPA funding to invest in workforce training and other essential projects.
Other top Biden administration officials that attended day one of the 90th Winter Meeting included Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan. During the meeting’s opening plenary, Yellen touted the role of cities in driving America’s economic recovery, and Regan unveiled new water infrastructure loans for communities across the country.
The Winter Meeting continues Thursday in Washington, D.C., and the full agenda can be found here.
About the United States Conference of Mayors — The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are more than 1,400 such cities in the country today, and each city is represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the mayor. Like us on Facebook