News Updates
+ Louisville Metro launches Sharia Compliant Lending to broaden access to its small business loans
 Louisville Metro's Department of Economic Development and Office for Immigrant Affairs hosted a networking event on June 24 as part of their REACH for Small Business program.
Louisville Metro Government’s small business loan program, METCO, will now offer a Sharia-compliant modification option that aims to expand access to its loan products for Muslim business owners and entrepreneurs who would otherwise be prohibited by their religious beliefs from accessing the city’s low-interest business loans.
“This modification will open a pathway to capital for a subset of business owners who were previously left out of traditional banking, creating more stability for the businesses and helping them to grow, which in turn benefits our broader local economy,” said Amos Izerimana, Director of the Office for Immigrant Affairs. “The modification also recognizes our city’s diversity of beliefs and serves to offer every Louisvillian equitable access to city services and programs.”
The METCO Board approved the modification option at its June meeting, and the change was highlighted Saturday during the REACH Small Business Celebration and Networking at Louisville Central Community Center. The REACH program, which wrapped up its inaugural year on Saturday, included a series of workshops for new American and immigrant-owned businesses impacted by COVID to help them strengthen their businesses.
+ Metro Council approves new city budget
Louisville Metro Council voted unanimously on June 22 to approved the city's budget for Fiscal Year 2024, starting July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2024.
“Metro Council’s passage of this budget is great news for Louisville. The unanimous support it received speaks to the collaborative, inclusive, and community-focused process with which this budget was developed. I want to thank my administration, the members and staff of the Louisville Metro Council, and the hundreds of community members who participated in crafting a budget which provides a real roadmap for building a safer, stronger, and healthier Louisville," said Mayor Greenberg.
This budget highlights including:
- Addressing public safety by making investments in law enforcement, violence prevention, youth services and reentry assistance, and hiring new victim services personnel.
- Improving services for those experiencing homelessness by investing in our new Community Care Campus and funding a new shelter for those in need in Southwest Louisville.
- Increasing the amount of affordable housing in our city by acquiring new properties like the former Watson Lane Elementary School to be transformed into housing, and making a record $15 million investment in the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
- Increasing funding for our parks and recreation facilities to make them safer through more lighting, cleaner with graffiti removal and bathroom improvements, and more open and accessible by providing WiFi. This budget also expands the hours of operation for our Community Centers.
- Continuing to revitalize our downtown by improving lighting, expanding the Community Ambassador Program, and investing in our Waterfront.
- Making Louisville Metro Government more transparent and responsive with our new Department of Records Compliance and funding new positions to address our backlog of open records requests.
- Making transformative infrastructure upgrades like road safety improvements, street paving, and sidewalk repair.
- Fostering our film, arts, and creative industries with investments in Louisville Tourism, the Film Commission, and our new Office of Arts + Creative Industries.
+ City taking next step toward transforming former Rhodia site into mixed-use development
 Mayor Craig Greenberg announced that remediation work will soon begin on the former Rhodia site, the next step toward redeveloping the proprty into a community-led mixed-use development.
On June 22, Mayor Greenberg joined members of the Park Hill/Algonquin Community of Opportunity Advisory Board and developer Re:land Group to announce that next steps toward revisioning the former Rhodia site as a community-led mixed-use development will get underway soon.
In 2022, Metro Council approved the allocation of $10 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds to pay for environmental remediation at the Rhodia site, 1495 S. 11th St. Louisville Metro Government issued two requests for proposals related to this work: St. Louis-based O6 Environmental was chosen to remediate soil contamination at the site, and EnviroForensics was chosen to oversee the removal of contaminated soil.
“We are excited to finally move forward on the cleanup of this site. The resulting redevelopment project will serve as a cornerstone for much-needed future development in the Park Hill and Algonquin neighborhoods to improve quality of life for area residents and build up neighborhoods that have long been neglected,” said Mayor Greenberg. “Thank you to the members of the Opportunity Advisory Board for their hard work to ensure this project meets the needs and desires of the community and to Re:land Group for putting community first throughout this process.”
+ UofL Trager Institute seeking nominations for its annual Gold Standard of Optimal Aging Award
 The annual Gold Standard of Optimal Aging Award celebrates older adults who continue to live life to the fullest, whatever that means to them. The University of Louisville Trager Institute hosts the awards as part of its Optimal Aging Month signature luncheon and award ceremony on Sept. 22, and the Institute is seeking nominations.
Nominees should be individuals or a couple ages 85 or older who lead engaged and flourishing lives and inspire those around them with their zest for life. Honorees are nominated by members of the community, family, friends, colleagues, and businesses.
Nominations are accepted through June 30.
+ Havana Nights Restaurant and Cabaret opens on Fourth Street
 Louisville Metro Government celebrated the grand opening of Havana Nights Restaurant and Cabaret with a ribbon cutting on June 23. Havana Nights celebrates Hispanic culture through the delicious tapas, lively music and vibrant atmosphere of Havana, Cuba in the '50s.
Havana Nights is located at 649 S. 4th St.
+ Be part of the Worldfest Parade of Cultures
 Louisville Metro Government is looking for participants for its annual Parade of Cultures during Worldfest. Individuals and groups must sign-up to walk in the parade, which takes place at noon on Saturday, September 2.
The WorldFest Parade of Cultures is a celebration of the different cultural heritages that make Louisville a unique and vibrant place to live and work. Worldfest takes place each year during Labor Day Weekend and features live music, food and vendors.
+ Sign-up for LENSAlert & Smart911
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Text "LENSAlert" to 67283
Policy Updates
+ DHS, State Department announce enhancements to the Central American Minors program
The most recent enhancement, announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the State Department on April 12, builds on President Joe Biden’s Executive Order in the following ways:
Central American Minors program applicants interviewed between August 16, 2017 and January 31, 2018, who did not qualify for refugee status and were ineligible for parole consideration following the 2017 termination of the parole component of the CAM program will now be eligible to pursue parole.
+ DHS announces upcoming re-parole process for Afghan nationals
On May 5, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it is establishing a process to re-parole eligible Afghan nationals so they can continue living and working legally in the United States. Beginning in June, Afghan nationals who arrived in the United States under humanitarian parole through Operation Allies Welcome (OAW) will be able to request a re-parole through online and paper filing. As with any parole request, these requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons and significant public benefit. Additional details regarding the process will be available soon.
+ USCIS opens HART Service Center focusing on humanitarian cases and backlogs
On March 30, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the opening of the Humanitarian, Adjustment, Removing Conditions, and Travel Documents (HART) Service Center, the sixth service center within its Service Center Operations (SCOPS) directorate, and the first to focus on humanitarian and other workload cases.
In an effort to address the backlog associated with humanitarian immigration relief, the center has reassigned 150 current service center personnel and plans to hire an additional 330 employees, with nearly full staffing by June 30, 2025. While the center is currently hybrid, it is envisioned to be a 100% virtual service center across multiple time zones, identified by specialized work rather than a physical location.
+ Redesign of Green Cards and Employment Authorization Document
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began issuing redesigned Permanent Resident Cards (Green Cards) and Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) to improve security. The new Green Card and EAD designs contain improved technology and designs meant to further secure the documents. Current cards remain valid until their expiration date unless otherwise noted. Green card holders are encouraged to apply for the new cards.
+ Guidance for Adjustment of Status applications
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated their guidance in their policy manual to clarify that both asylees and refugees must have been physically present in the U.S. for at least one year when their Adjustment of Status is adjudicated. This new physical presence requirement supersedes the old rule which stated that asylees and refugees must have been physically present in the U.S. for one year at the time they file their adjustment of status application.
Events
+ Find your roots at the Chestnut Street YMCA
 Wednesday, July 5 | 6 - 7:15 p.m.
YMCA of Greater Louisville is kicking off its free Find Your Roots program for youth ages 13-18. The global leadership development program seeks to empower young leaders as change-makers in their own communities. This youth-led program allows students to learn about advocacy, compassion, immigration, and how to combat harmful stereotypes about immigrants and refugees in a local, national, and global context.
Meetings take place every Wednesday from July 5 through September 13, with the first meting being held at the Chestnut Street Family YMCA, 930 W. Chestnut St. Registration is required.
+ Second annual Taste of Uganda
 Saturday, July 14 | 5 - 7 p.m.
SaSa Samosa Kitchen and the BEL initiative are hosting a fundraising dinner, Taste of Uganda, to completion and furnishing of a basic library for the Bwoga community. The event will feature inspirational presentation, exposure to Ugandan culture through authentic Ugandan food, African drumming, dance performances, and more.
Tickets are $55. The event is being held at New Life Church Gym, 3402 Goose Creek Road.
+ LouCity FC hosting international friendly Atlante FC
 Saturday, July 15 | 8 p.m.
Louisville City FC will welcome international competition to Lynn Family Stadium for the second time when hosting Mexican club Atlante FC for a friendly kicking off on Saturday, July 15.
The LouCity-Atlante matchup will double as a showcase of authentic Mexican culture and cuisine at Lynn Family Stadium. Live music will feature in the Fan Zone, which opens at 6 p.m. at the stadium’s waterfront/open end. Ticket start at just $12 and are available online by clicking below or in person at the following Supermercados Guanajuato locations: 6201 Preston Hwy., 9901 La Grange Rd., 5624 Bardstown Rd. and 8704 National Turnpike. Buyers can pay with cash at Guanajuato.
Ticketholders also will receive free entry to a 21-and-over postgame Latin Night party at The Hub, 2235 Frankfort Ave.
+ Celebrating Caribbean Heritage Month
 Caribbean American Heritage Month was established to create and disseminate knowledge about the contributions of Caribbean people to the United States.
In the 19th century, the U.S. attracted many Caribbean's who excelled
in various professions. Some of the most notable Caribbean
Americans are Alexander Hamilton, first Secretary of the Treasury, Colin Powell, the first person of color appointed as the Secretary of State, James Weldon Johnson, the writer of the Black National Anthem, Celia Cruz, the world-renowned "Queen of Salsa" music, and Shirley Chisholm, the first African American Congresswoman and first African American woman candidate for President, are among many.
+ Eat lunch at the Food Truck Clinic
 Every Thursday, now through October 19 | 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Enjoy some of your favorite local food trucks for lunch all summer long. Join Louisville Metro Departments of Health and ABC, Louisville Division of Fire and Jefferson County Fire as they host Food Truck Clinic Thursdays.
Located in the alley at Armory Place, behind the Metro Development Center at 444 S. 5th St.
+ Downtown Drive-In with the Cinebus
Select Fridays through October 20
The Downtown Drive-In is an outdoor movie night series, taking place at Brown-Forman Amphitheater on select Friday nights through October.
Movies will begin at sundown, with the amphitheater open an hour before to allow guests to grab their spot in the theater. The event will include snacks and beer for purchase from local brewer Ten20 Craft Brewery and lemonade by Amiracle Ade Company. Movie-goers are also welcome to bring blankets and lawn chairs to the viewing.
In collaboration with Waterfront Development Corporation, the film series is hosted at Waterfront Park’s Brown-Forman Amphitheater, 1301 River Road. The event is free to the public with free parking available at Waterfront Park’s Tan and Turquoise lots.
The Downtown Drive-In schedule:
- June 30: The Parent Trap (1961) (G)
- July 14: Black Panther (PG-13)
- July 28: Encanto (PG)
- August 11: A League of Their Own (PG)
- August 25: Cars (G)
- September 8: Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark (PG)
- September 22: Up (PG)
- October 20: Hocus Pocus (PG)
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+ Free summer movie nights at Iroquois Amphitheater
 Select Wednesdays through September
Louisville Parks and Recreation has added 12 free movie nights to this year’s event calendar.
The Free Summer Movie Season includes the following titles and dates:
- June 28: Grease (PG) 8:30 p.m.
- July 5: The Muppet Movie (G) 8:30 p.m.
- July 19: Hairspray (PG) 8:30 p.m.
- July 26: The Sandlot (PG) 8:30 p.m.
- August 9: Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome (R) 8:30 p.m.
- August 16: The Super Mario Bros. Movie (PG) 8:30 p.m.
- August 23: Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (PG-13) 8:30 p.m.
- August 31: Goldfinger (PG) 8 p.m.
- September 6: Star Trek: Into Darkness (PG-13) 8 p.m.
- September 13: Pokémon: The First Movie-Mewtwo Strikes Back (G) 8 p.m.
- September 20: Godzilla (NR) 7:30 p.m.
- September 27: The Rocky Horror Picture Show (R) 7:30 p.m.
For a full list of events, visit www.iroquoisamphitheater.com.
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