The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development invite you to attend, “2009 Forum for Cities: Opportunities for Sustainability,” on Monday, June 15, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, 1 Memorial Drive, Kansas City, Missouri.

For those in city government, housing advocates, and community leaders, the forum will provide a detailed briefing on some of the latest programs and funding sources for grappling with the local impacts of the economic downturn, foreclosures, and the tightening credit markets. The presentations will focus on sustainability – how cities can use the current crisis as an opportunity for successful, long term change.

Thomas Hoenig, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, will provide opening-remarks. Amanda Sheldon, Enterprise Community Partners Research & Policy Analyst, is the keynote speaker and will lead a discussion on a recent study, “The Challenge of Foreclosed Properties: An Analysis of State and Local Plans to use the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP).”

The panel presentations will include:

Emerging Foreclosure Trends and Impact on Cities and Suburbs:

• Kelly Edmiston, Senior Economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City
• Jack Shelton, Shelton Appraisals
• Prof. Jacob Wagner, UMKC Department of Urban Studies
• Prof. Michael Frisch, UMKC Department of Urban Studies

New Programs and Resources for Cities:

• Theresa Porter, HUD Office of Community Planning and Development
• Jeff Seifried, Executive Director, Mile High Community Loan Fund, Denver, CO
• Dennis Lloyd, Managing Director, Columbia Capital Management
• Joe Egan, Executive Director, Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority

Looking Ahead – Initiatives and Tools for Future Success:

• Bill Ebel, Director of Planning & Development, Overland Park, KS
• Dean Katerndahl, Government Innovations Forum Director, MARC
• Kansas State Sen. Derek Schmidt
• Michael Duffy, Senior Attorney, Legal Aid of Western Missouri

The event is free; however, because space is limited, you must register at the Federal Reserve’s website: www.kansascityfed.org. A continental breakfast and box lunch will be provided.

Any questions? Please contact Terry Lee at (816) 234-8127.

*Please Note: This event is targeted to representatives from financial institutions, non-profits, private entities, city and government agencies in the Kansas City metro area.