Build Back Better, Together

The Build Back Better, Together (BBBT) initiative envisions a more prosperous and just future for all Louisvillians, particularly those residents who are most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and racial injustice. Equal parts planning and doing, BBBT aims to increase Louisville’s long-term resiliency, while also providing more immediate steps to help businesses and residents impacted by the pandemic and move the city toward fundamental change that leads to greater equity and racial justice.

Through the meeting and visioning process, BBBT's collaborators crafted a report with actions being taken and listed top priorities that were used to inform the Louisville Metro budget process.

View the Build Back Better, Together Year-End Report

In his recommended budget, Mayor Greg Fischer has incorporated funding for priorities, including the launch of a minority business incubator, funds for the new Civilian Review and Accountability Board, additional dollars for small business assistance, and millions for housing and support services for the city's unhoused, among many others initiatives.

View the Mayor's Recommended FY22 Budget

Mayor Fischer also is leaning on the work of the BBBT initiative will planning how to use the city's $388 million in American Rescue Plan funds.

BBBT was comprised of seven focus area teams – arts and culture; built and natural environment; economy; education and talent development; health and safety; hospitality, sports and Bourbonism; and social infrastructure and impact.

The teams were tasked with prioritizing equity issues that must be addressed before, during, and after any eventual recovery to address economic and health impacts of COVID-19 and dismantle systemic racism. The teams were overseen by a steering committee of key leaders in government, business and nonprofit sectors, community and neighborhood representatives, and co-chairs of the focus area teams. 

List of Steering Committee Members and Focus Area Team Co-chairs

All participants were trained on Louisville Metro Government’s Racial Equity Toolkit, which was used to ensure that the steering committee’s and focus area teams' recommendations were focused on ensuring equitable outcomes, and to prevent the adoption of policies, strategies and systems that perpetuate racist, discriminatory or inequitable results and that fail to address the root causes of the economic and social injustice.

View the Racial Equity Toolkit Worksheet

 Download the Build Back Better, Together Flier