ASC's Intersections Newsletter — May 9th, 2025
Nora’s Note
Ready. Set. Scale. Or Don’t. To mark National Small Business Month in May we should be celebrating the post-pandemic entrepreneurship boom, which saw 21 million new business applications. Instead, I signed onto the 2025 Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Summit in Washington D.C. for program alumni and will spend the next few months prepping to press our case with policymakers to address the spiraling costs of borrowing and operations. With sweeping tariffs launching and the government programs many small businesses support at risk, advocacy has never been more important. Small businesses employ half of all U.S. workers and generate 44% of the U.S. gross domestic product. Expected to be one of the largest gatherings of small business owners in the U.S., thousands of us will speak with one voice.
Transportation
Latinos in Transit (LIT) launches LIT small business academy. The program entails a six-module certification program tasked with equipping small business owners with the right keys to succeed in the transit industry. Some features of the program will include building business credit, leveraging government resources, and enhancing digital visibility. Through this program, LIT reiterates its ongoing commitment to positioning its members for greater impact, opportunity for growth, and leading with integrity and industry collaboration. Read more for greater details of the new program. (Source: Mass Transit Mag)
Streetsblog: ‘Everyone’s favorite New Yorker’: Norman Brown leaves MTA board after two decades
The Roanoke Star: VA Tech opens new transit center for regional mobility
Yahoo News: Chatham Area Transit wins smart cities award for previous microtransit pilot program
Climate
Largest solar farm east of the Mississippi provides more than just power. Loyola University Chicago is advancing equitable clean energy innovation by transforming its campus into a solar, battery storage, and energy efficiency research hub. The initiative, funded in part by the U.S. Department of Energy, focuses on supporting disadvantaged communities through workforce development, hands-on training, and replicable models for urban sustainability. Read more on the progression of this project. (Source: Canary Media)
Gothamist: Meet the NYC environmentalists going off the grid and eating discarded food
Grist: Farmers are making bank harvesting a new crop: Solar energy
Happy Eco News: National Geographic Honors Teen’s Oyster Bed Restoration Project
Economic Development
The Bronx districts have dominated affordable housing construction. Bronx District 15 built the most affordable units between 2014-2024 with an addition of 7,706 affordable units. Affordable housing has been a critical issue for NYC as the gap between median rent and income has continued to increase over the years. With a record low rental vacancy rate of 1.4% in 2024, increasing the supply of housing is an integral component of advancing affordable housing access. Read more about The Bronx District’s efforts toward affordable housing construction. (Source: Bronx Times)
Chalkbeat: Brooklyn school closure wins approval, making way for new ‘literacy academy’ for struggling readers
Smart Cities Dive: 3 cities join lawsuit challenging mass layoffs of federal workers
Spectrum News: NYC makes it easier to apply for affordable housing
Digital
Is AI the new steel? Lawmakers discuss emerging industry. From enhancing healthcare diagnostics to enabling autonomous space exploration, Pennsylvania experts highlighted the region’s growing potential. However, challenges remain, including the surging energy demands of AI data centers and the need for streamlined permitting processes. With Pittsburgh ranking high in AI talent and patents, the state is being urged to act swiftly to capitalize on these opportunities. Read more to learn about how this emerging industry could boost the economy. (Source: GovTech)
Route Fifty: Iowa governor signs statewide ban on cellphones in class
Phys.org: More accessible method for maize bioengineering could open doors for crop innovation
The Verge: New York City wants subway cameras to predict ‘trouble’ before it happens
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