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policy overview
MACED thinks about public policy as the rules that shape public and private action. These rules have major influence — both positive and negative — on the communities, people and organizations MACED works with.
MACED has always sought to leverage our work as a grounded community development practitioner to make a difference in local, state and federal policy on many different issues. To MACED, impacting public policy is critical because it extends our influence and ability to have a positive impact on the region.
Over the years our work has focused on many policy related issues—coal severance tax, clean water, access to affordable mortgages, welfare reform policy and small business development support. We value working with local, state and federal decision-makers to shape policy that benefits rural Kentucky and positively impacts low-income people. When possible, we work in coalition with other peer organizations and stakeholders to shape issues that influence our community economic development efforts and the communities we serve.
MACED often engages in research, demonstration projects and educational efforts that have specific policy implications. Most of our policy efforts relate to existing MACED program, projects or initiatives. Occasionally, MACED focuses on a policy issues outside of an existing piece of work when we believe the implications merit our increased attention.
Some examples of our current policy interests and efforts include the following.
Economic development spending in Kentucky—MACED is working to define how the state spends public funds on economic development efforts. Economic Development Spending Initiative
Payday (and predatory) lending—MACED is working to develop a demonstration program that provides access to small loan capital through employers in the region as an alternative to expensive payday lenders. We are assessing the regulations that govern payday lenders and determining our next steps. Click to read a recent letter to the editor about payday lending in Kentucky.
National community development policy—MACED works with a coalition of other community development organizations to ensure strong community development policy and programs that make a difference to low-income communities including the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, Small Business Administration programs, USDA Rural Business Services, the Office of Community Services Discretionary Economic Development program and others.
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Business Development | Natural Resources | Policy
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