2022 Local Government Spring Conference

Keynote Speaker Announced

Irma Esparza Diggs, Director of Federal Advocacy, National League of Cities

Welcome and Keynote Lunch - Thursday, April 21 at 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

The LOC is excited to announce our keynote speaker at the Local Government Spring Conference will be National League of Cities (NLC) Director of Federal Advocacy Irma Esparza Diggs. Irma leads the NLC’s grassroots and lobbying efforts to ensure cities across this county have a voice in Washington D.C. Her work at the federal level has had a direct and lasting impact on cities in Oregon and communities across the country. Irma and the team of lobbyists working with her at the NLC played a pivotal and defining role in the CARES Act and securing direct funding for cities through the American Rescue Plan Act and a five-year investment in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation.

During her keynote address, Irma will provide an overview of what every city official in Oregon should know about ARPA, including the most recent changes by the United States Treasury Department, which will make things easier for cities with a population less than 50,000. She will also outline the NLC’s efforts to ensure ARPA funding is not clawed back by Congress, and discuss key details of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation, including the latest resources that have been specifically organized for rural communities. ARPA and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill have provided cities in Oregon a generational investment; Irma’s address will give clarity on both bills and provide Oregon cities with needed information on how to successfully make use of this game-changing funding.

For additional information and to view the conference agenda, visit the Spring Conference webpage.