ASC's Intersections Newsletter — November 7, 2025
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Nora’s Note
Small Business. Big Impact. More than 3,200 small business owners collected in Washington, D.C. last week for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Summit. It was the largest gathering of small business owners in America, a category that provides nearly half of all U.S. jobs and drives 44 percent of the nation’s GDP. Over three days we shared ideas, traded lessons, and made our collective voice heard on Capitol Hill. I traveled with fellow graduates from Cohort 22, and from the opening session, it was an inspiring whirlwind.
We heard from leaders who’ve walked the walk, including Ken Langone, founder of Home Depot who told a roaring audience, “If you do good, you get good.” Kat Cole, the CEO at AG1 warned “If you don’t have a seat at the table, you’re on the menu.” Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary, who told us to take calculated risks and fail fast, and called for a change in government priorities to support small business, the backbone of America.
House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries shared insights, and John Fetterman (D) and Dave McCornick (R) of PA expressed shared regret for the government shutdown, and acknowledged that while they disagree on much, they are united on the topic of supporting small business.
I had a chance to meet with NY representatives Congressman Jerrold Nadler, and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and came away from the conference with learnings on the actions small business must take to prepare for the economy to come. Martha Stewart summarized the spirit of small business and of the 10,000 Small Businesses program (which has now far exceeded 10,000!): “When you’re through changing, you’re through.” That spirit of persistence and reinvention defines small business, this community and continues to move it forward.
Transportation
The MTA released an updated Climate Resilience Roadmap, detailing progress and next steps to protect New York’s transit system from extreme weather. Since April 2024, the agency has secured over $1.5 billion in funding to protect subways from flooding and sea-level rise. The update identifies 10 high priority area across the city for stormwater management and outlines joint actions with city agencies to address heavy rain, coastal flooding, and extreme heat. Recent efforts include tunnel and station waterproofing, vent protection upgrades, and drainage improvements done with NYCDEP. The MTA says the plan marks significant progress but stresses the need for continued partnership with the city to harden infrastructure against worsening weather. Learn more here. (Source: Mass Transit Magazine)
Gothamist: Amtrak seeks ‘most skilled and knowledgeable’ partners for Trump’s Penn Station rebuild
AMNY: IBX stop by stop: light rail to bring new opportunities to Southeast Brookyln and with Linden Boulevard stop
Streetsblog: City Council majority backs bill to force Amazon to hire its delivery workers
Climate
Educators are turning collective bargaining into climate action. Across the United States, teacher's unions are securing contract language to push for solar panels, high-efficiency upgrades, and green job pathways in schools; bringing sustainability and economic opportunity to students and staff alike. To ensure success, these grassroots efforts are forming the Green Schools Alliance in compliance with the Labor Network for Sustainability’s Union Toolkit. Learn more about how educators are transforming their contracts into catalysts for climate resilience, community empowerment, and a sustainable future for the next generation here. (Source: Grist)
Inside Climate News: Western states brace for a uranium boom as the nation looks to recharge its nuclear power industry
Canary Media: Illinois lawmakers just passed another big clean-energy bill
Happy Eco News: NYC electric buildings: first state to ban gas in most new buildings
Economic Development
As New York City races to meet its ambitious climate goals, thousands of co-op buildings face steep costs to cut carbon emissions. A new report from the NYC Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice and Urban Land Institute offers solutions to co-op boards’ concerns about the financial burden of complying with NYC’s building emissions reduction law, Local Law 97. The report outlines a road map for the city to help decarbonize co-ops, including providing financial incentives, reinforcing collaboration between key funders, and adjusting zoning constraints. Learn more about the report here. (Source: Smart Cities Dive)
The City: Judge orders Trump to partially cover SNAP despite shutdown
Hoodline: Mayor Eric Adams applauds city council approval of Jamaica Queens development, project to bring 12,000 new homes and 7,000 jobs
Manufacturing Dive: AI, data centers add to economic development, experts say
Digital
Meet The Sunset Post, possibly the most New York, New York newspaper ever. Founded, written, photographed, translated, designed, and delivered by one man, Lorenzo Tijerina, this trilingual print newspaper covers Sunset Park in English, Spanish, and Chinese. Launched in 2025 from Lorenzo’s one-bedroom apartment, The Sunset Post proves that local journalism isn’t dead; it just needed a stronger cup of coffee. With stories on neighborhood politics, small businesses, and even the birds of Sunset Park, this passion project is both beautifully impractical and entirely essential. Read an interview with Tijerina here. (Source: Cafe Anne at Substack)
GovTech: Neighborhood data project probes environmental challenges
Route Fifty: Students want schools to incorporate AI in learning but express some fears
Tech Crunch: Rising energy prices put AI and data centers in the crosshairs
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