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ESG is on everyone's radar, but many companies dont understand what is and isnt important about it or what to pay attention to.

Paul Washington leads The Environmental, Socialand Governance (ESG) Center at The Conference Board, a non-profit think tank that provides cutting-edge research, programsand access to expertise on corporate governance, sustainability, citizenshipand philanthropy.The Center has a membership ofover 180 public and private corporations with well over 1,000 actively engaged executives. Members receiveweekly alerts and access to a broad suite of world-class offerings, including multiplepublications as well as roughly 40 webcasts and podcasts on ESG topics that help improve individual, teamand enterprise performance. The Centers platform provides corporate leaders with the opportunity to have confidential discussions withother thought leaders and toaddress their most pressing challengeswith a global perspective.

I spoke to Washington to get his unique perspective on the state of ESG among corporations and whats next in integrating ESG best practices into how companies do business.

Related:HP CIO Ellen Jackowski Explains WhyESGIs Essential to Corporate Sustainability

There's so much information out there about ESG. Some is great, some not so much:

One of the challenges is that climate isnt talked about in human terms. People find that hard to relate to. You have to humanize the environmental side. Also, so much of what's said about climate change and the role companies play is conveyed with a scolding attitude. That's why we've suggested that if you're talking to your board of directors or trying to engage a company on climate, you talk about climate's impact on the company first, then about the company's impact on climate. The first is universal and gets them engaged on a human level. Then you can askIf that's the impact climate is having, what can we as a company do to help? This is something for everyone to be involved in, and you're not going to get it by lecturing or hectoring.

Companies often struggle with getting started, and consultants in the ESG space have often come from academia and nonprofits. They may not understand how companies work. They sometimes view companies as monolithic enterprises, but they're not. There are different departments, individualsand personalities, and you have to avoid only preaching to the converted to get other people on board. Even if you have advocates within the company, they need the tools and information to persuade and inspire others.

When and how did your organization begin engaging on ESG topics?

The ESG Center was formed in mid-2019, but The Conference Board has been focusing on these areas for decades. Its a successor to what was known as the Governance Center, which was founded in 1993, and The Conference Board was originally founded as a neutral convener in 1916 to address labor management strife, to address an S issue in ESG. It grew from there.

I think of todays iteration of the ESG Center as unique. Were a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank serving both the business community and society. Were not writing long papers for an academic audience, nor do we write partisan papers. Were here to provide trusted, actionable insights for our members, for the business community at largeand for society. Our secret sauce is that people trust us.

We also have global scope and scale and multiple disciplines. We're in Europe and Asia as well as in the U.S., and ESG Center is just one of several think tanks at The Conference Board. When you combine all that we bring to the table great research capabilities, databases, survey capabilities and bring our members and others together, we create practical insights that you literally cannot get anywhere else in the world.

For example, The Conference Board published a report in November on what the shift from stockholder to stakeholder capitalism means to the C-suite. We not only conducted an empirical survey of executives around the globe, but then convened CEOs, generals counsel, CFOs, chief communications officers, chief strategy officersand others to talk about what it meant for them in practice. It's a cutting-edge report that provides very practical business insight.

We also conducted a round table on the intersection of sustainability, compliance, and risk management. We had 168 attendees around a big virtual table, and the key takeaway was that there are factors causing these areas to come together. Whether it's supply chain issues, human capital, or climate, you need distinct perspectives of compliance, risk managementand sustainability brought to bear. You want convergence, but you don't want to lose the distinct nature of each of those areas. Like any good relationship, you have to know where there's common ground and where there's divergent ground. You can't just paper over differences. You have to understand them because those differences are often strengths.

Related:WhyESGConscious Companies are Resilient Companies

I particularly admire that youre bridging industries and functions. Thats a much-needed departure from how a lot of consulting operates.

The ESG Center has 184 members. We span every industry, every category. The really interesting work is often done at the intersection. If you're just living in your own sustainability bubble and not talking to people at different levels and in other disciplines, youre not going to have the same impact.

One of the things were working on is trying to understand where the sustainability function is located in organizations. What have you found?

Our report,Organizing for Success in Sustainability, provides survey research showing where the function sits in Europe and in the U.S., as well as based on the size of the organization. It provides really good insights regarding who it reports to, how large it isand even how a small organization can transform a company if they do it right.

Sustainable organizations will evolve over time. The ideal is where the sustainability function is embedded in the business and provides a coordinating goal, but it can sit in a lot of different places.

Theres been an evolution from sustainability, from the CSR wave, to ESG. Are we moving to a comprehensive overtaking by stakeholder capitalism? Or is ESG just another stage on the way to something else?

I think there are two trends. The first is the shift from stockholder to stakeholder capitalism. Where companies previously focused on customers, employees and others as a means to an end for creating profits for shareholders, with stakeholder capitalism they care about the welfare of other stakeholders as a legitimate goal in and of itself, and every company will decide where it wants to be along that spectrum. We published a report in November showing that 90% of global C-suite executives believe that shift is underway, and 80% believe it's underway at their company.

Along with that is a shift to ESG over sustainability. As you're serving different constituencies, companies are addressing a broader array of environmental and social issues. The two shifts thus involved both the who and the what. These trends are both significant and durable, and its the third great wave in governance. The first occurred after Enron and WorldCom collapsed and placed a focus on board accountability. The next was after the financial crisis, which focused on shifting power to shareholders.

The stakeholder shift is being driven by investors. The people youd think have the most to lose are actually leading the way. When you've got 30% of the S & P 500 held by the same top 10 institutional investors and they're focusing on systemic risks, they're thinking like and about stakeholders.

Are most companies at the same stage and place in terms of progress?

Companies go from compliance, to meeting basic expectations, to focusing on reducing risk beyond expectations, then to lowering costs. The final phase is showing leadership and seizing opportunities. Most companies we deal with are beyond pure compliance. They're grappling with how to meet investor and customer expectations, how to mitigate riskand how to seize opportunities.

Companies will not be leaders in every area. They have to choose where they want to play. What theyre really struggling with is identifying the big risks they need to address and the big opportunities they want to seize. Integrating sustainability into strategic planning, financial planningand budgeting processes really drives both risk mitigation and opportunity capitalization. That's what companies are working on. Even advanced ones are still trying to refine their understanding. They may do a good job at risk mitigation, but they're still trying to identify opportunities.

TheOrganizing for Successreport examines the need to strengthen connections between sustainability, finance, and strategy. There's a strong connection between sustainability, complianceand legal in the U.S. but not in Europe. Both need to be stronger, because finance and strategy control are the essential planning and capital allocation functions needed to incorporate sustainability into those processes. The legal department also needs to be a collaborative, problem-solving partner. It can be very helpful in thinking through governance at both the board and management level, on how to actually seize opportunities, how to structure the board and the C-suite, and how to structure an internal sustainability steering committee. A good charter helps maximize collaboration between strategy, finance and sustainability.

What does good look like when it comes to implementing ESG strategies in organizations?

Good generally looks like a company that has thought through each of the main challenges and opportunities. There are six issues each company faces when it comes to sustainability:

What issues matter?

How to integrate sustainability into strategy and operations?

How to set and reward goals?

How to organize for sustainability at the board of management level?

How to tell the sustainability story to multiple stakeholders?

How to deal with the ESG industry the three Rs of regulators, reporting frameworks, and rating agencies?

Good means a company has been particularly effective on those first five and is complying with regulations but is not as worried about the rating agencies and the reporting frameworks. They may have used them as a starting point, but a company that's really doing well has figured out what matters. They've integrated their business. They've set reasonable and stretch goals. They've organized themselves sufficiently, and they're telling their story well. If they're hitting those five things and complying with the laws, that's a company that's succeeding.

Related:Predictions for 2022: Workplace, Tech, andESGPoints

What do you see as the next frontier in sustainability?

Creating a culture that provides rewards, punishments, expectationsand tolerance when it comes to behavior and where sustainability is built into your ethic.Finding a way to embed the notions of sustainability into your companys DNA so that your board, your C-suite and your broader workforce think and act with it in mind. Once that exists, you can really unleash creative energy. The solutions may need to evolve, but if sustainability is built into your culture, youll be able to respond and adapt.

Are most companies ready for this?

They may not be fully ready, but they're definitely recognizing that this is the next frontier. There's a lot of employee energy around it, and you see that in the world of stakeholder capitalism, employees are first among other constituencies. Customers obviously matter, but employees are driving a lot of what's happening. Theyre more than just activists making companies do stuff. Employers need to think of them as their sustainability resource.

Whats keeping companies from making progress?

One of the barriers is terminology and having a shared understanding of what sustainability is. The lack of common language within a company can be a barrier. You have to have a discussion of what terms are going to be used and what they mean. It seems silly, but if you use certain words, people's eyes glaze over. You want to use terms that people understand and can relate to in their business and frankly, in their human, individual capacities.

The other thing you really need is an environment of trust and collaboration with the board, among the C-suite, and among the employees so you can talk openly about areas that are existing strengths and discuss challenges too.

None of these issues can be addressed by a single function within the company. If you've got trust, collaboration, and a common language, when issues come up, they can be addressed. That doesn't just happen. It takes real work. If you tolerate people who don't collaborate because they do a good job in their own silo, it can derail the entire effort. One senior executive who's not on board can derail an entire organization.

Where do you see the most opportunities as we move forward?

There's an opportunity for entrepreneurswithin and outside of companies. In addition to doing a lot of good for society and the environment, theres a lot of money to be made in both the sustainability field and in risk mitigation. With the massive investment governments are making in climate and the focus on human health, I have a lot of confidence that if you present ESG or sustainability issues as business opportunities you can get a lot of firepower behind them and we can see a lot of progress. Companies need to move beyond their focus on systemic risk mitigation and focus on the alpha in sustainability. If you've got a culture that embraces it, your company will be an innovation engine in sustainability.

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ESG Is the Next Frontier a Conversation With The Conference Board's Paul Washington - Entrepreneur

Do you ever wonder about the goings-on behind the scenes of your favorite soap operas? And for many Americans, inclusivity and diversity matter, especially when it comes to entertainment-related representation. Its important now more than ever for on-screenactorportrayals and off-screen culture to align with a more inclusive perspective, too.

The Young and the Restlesscontinues as one of daytime televisions biggest shows. And inclusivity may play a role in that success. Although it hasnt always been the case,Susan Walters recently applaudedY&Rfor providing a supportive and very inclusive environment. And in her view, its that open-arms atmosphere that allows her to tell Dianes story really well.

Diane Jenkins hasnt made anappearance onY&Rsince 2011. When fans last saw her, she was played by a different actor and left facedown in water with a pretty busted cranium. But strap in because Diane number 2, asSoap Opera Digestcalls her, is coming in with Susan Walters reprising the role.

With more than a decade of ground to make up, and a complex story to weave in bringing Diane Jenkins back, Walters said she was more than ecstatic to jump back in front of the camera. She tells interviewers how much she loves this medium as an actor at her age. Were the moms, attorneys, the doctors. She goes on to say further that these types of characters dont usually have a full life. But in daytime television, they do, and Walters is reveling in her return.

Additionally, Walters talks about the nature of lifeonset ofY&R, citing that its very inclusive. She says everyone on staff has been more than welcoming to her, making it that much more of an adventure to embrace telling Diane Jenkins story the best way she can. She goes on to say, and theres a lot to tell.

While Susan Walters expressed her gratitude and appreciation for the diversity and inclusion among her peers on the set ofY&R, others have cited issues in the past. Taking a closer look at internal policies is common practice today, as executives look for new ways to make a conscious effort to include and involve all people. Looking at the evolution of the storylines on the soap, its clear efforts are being made.

The Young and the Restlesshasnt been afraid to weave diverse characters into their storylines. If youve been a fan of the show for a while, you can probably name a few of your favorite scenes and characters displaying as much. For example, Adam Newman once had a relationship with another man. In another storyline, fans cheered forTessa Porter and Mariah Copeland, preparing to tie the knot.

It wasnt too long ago that the shows producers and Sony took criticism for their lack of inclusivity.Soap Opera Networkreported in 2020 that Victoria Rowell was calling out the executives for systemic racism. She had also been vocal through a series of tweets, pointing out a lack of diversity behind the scenes and on-screen, citing poor Black representation among the actors, in the editing room, and at the executive level.

In 2020,Soaps She Knowsreported that CBS announced plans to address diversity issues in its production bothThe Bold and the Beautifulas well asThe Young and the Restless. The network officially committed it would invest 25% of its script budget to projects by people of color for the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Another mandate would enforce a minimum of 40% BIPOC representation.

For now, Susan Walters feels absolutely at home in her new role and her sentiments could signify a greater movement behind the scenes to embrace a more inclusive environment.

RELATED: The Young and the Restless: Diane and Phyllis Reignite Their Rivalry

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Susan Walters Said 'The Young and the Restless' is 'Very Inclusive' - Showbiz Cheat Sheet

When I began to think about writing a mystery, I realized that I had two advantages as a veterinarian. The first was that my profession was already all about solving mysteries. Human physicians have much easier access to a broader range of tests and specialists, and, to make an obvious point, they enjoy the benefit of having patients who can talk. We vets are often forced to approach our medical mysteries with much more limited data and with subjects who are, at times, uncooperative. I cannot think of another profession that parallels detective work as neatly. Just the other day I was presented with a situation where one cat out of three in a household was pooping out of the litterbox, but the owners had no idea who the culprit was. And the cats werent saying. The solution involved rainbow glitter. Ill leave it to your imagination to fill in the blanks.

But its the second advantage that I want to talk about today: veterinarians know animals better than anyone, and animals can be compelling elements in crime fiction.

To begin with, animals can be used to increase the tension in a scene. Which cat owner among us has not had the experience of seeing their cat sitting rigidly, staring at what appears to be nothinga blank wall, a quiet room, an empty chair. Imagine that the detective has received multiple death threats and is taking them seriously this time because two witnesses have already been killed. Its perfectly quiet inside and outside the house. She double checks all the locks and windows and arms the perimeter alarm before getting ready to go to bed. But then she notices that her cat is staring intently down the hall. Maybe its nothing, but maybe its something.

The veterinary explanation for this behavior is that animals live in a completely different sensory environment than we do. They see things we cannot see. They hear things we cannot hear. They smell things we cannot smell. And they sense things we cannot sense. These may not always be important things, but theyre there, nonetheless. Humans arrogantly assume that the reality they perceive is the true and complete version of reality. How can this house not be empty? And this night not be silent? And this air not be odorless? But of course, all of this is just mediated through our senses and is necessarily limited, or we would become overwhelmed by the input. Evolution equipped us with what we needed, no more and no less. Different animals have had different evolutionary needs, and thus their senses are equipped differently, and their experience of the world is different, sometimes very different.

Animals, especially dogs, are also very attuned to peoples emotions, far more so than most humans are. This is because emotional expression is their primary means of communication. We have glossed all of that over with our sophisticated language, yet we still feel a little prickle of discomfort when someones words dont quite match their facial expression. We may only be barely conscious that something is a bit off, so, to our detriment, we trust the words. Dogs, on the other hand, ignore the words, when its not a command directed at them, and only listen to the body language. They are fully conscious of the persons true state and intent regardless of the monkey noises emanating from their mouth.

Picture the detective answering her office door. An unfamiliar man is standing there. He smiles and apologizes for bothering her, but he thinks he might have some useful information. He hopes hes not wasting her time. Can he come in? The detectives dog, a scruffy little terrier, sniffs the mans pant leg and bristles. The dog looks up at the man, takes a couple steps back, and flattens his ears. The man is embarrassed, saying that dogs normally love him. He tries to coax the dog, but the dog is having none of it. Has the dog picked up on something the detective needs to worry about? Or is this a red herring, and theres just a weird smell on his pants?

I also love how animals can be used to humanize people. For years Ive told any veterinary student willing to listen that our job is not an animal job that happens to involve people, but a people job that happens to involve animals. People of all kinds and from all backgrounds own pets, and there is something about being around an animal that encourages people to let their guard down, to be more real, more themselves, more human. The veterinarian is often witness to this transformation, and it is such a heartening thing. I have seen hardened bikers break down sobbing over their dying dog, and I have seen depressed elderly widows beam with delight at the antics of a kitten. Animals are always innocent, and innocence often brings out the best in people.

In crime fiction, this can be used to add depth to a character. Perhaps that detective who at first seemed to be so crusty and aloof and tough does have a soft heart in there somewhere when you see how she dotes on her pet. But it can also be used to throw the readers scent off. Emmanuel Kant said, We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals. I love that quote. In fact, I had it stenciled on the wall above the reception desk in my clinic. But Im sad to have to report to you that it is nave. Adolf Hitler loved his German shepherd, Blondi, and by all accounts treated her extremely well. He was also a vegetarian and used descriptions of the horrors of slaughterhouses to try to persuade the Nazi inner circle to join him. The mind reels. But back to our detective, we can imagine her narrowing down her list of suspects but hesitating because one important suspect was a fellow cat lover. He was so gentle with his cats when she interviewed him at his house. How could such a man be capable of such cruelty to other people? She crosses him off the list. Was she right? Was she wrong?

Finally, and you dont need to be a veterinarian to know this, animals add life and color and depth to any story. A world without them is distinctly lacking. You may not be able to put your finger on what is missing when you read a novel that never mentions an animal, but something is missing. The detective wakes to the sound of sparrows squabbling at the bird feeder. She is shadowed by a crow as she walks through the forest. She startles a rabbit when she sits down to think. She is watched by a deer when she slows down to look at a house. She hears a lonely dog barking across the street. She is greeted by her cat when she comes home. The cat arches its back, purrs, and rubs up against her leg. It doesnt matter what kind of day she had and what sort of bad people she had to deal with; her cat is happy to see her. The detective smiles. Humans are annoying and unreliable and dangerous at times, but her cat is nothing but love.

(If you havent figured out the rainbow glitter, the veterinary detective directs the owners to sprinkle non-toxic glitterit doesnt have to be rainbowon one cats food at a time, a few days apart, until voila, glittery poo reveals the perpetrator.)

***

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A Veterinarian's Perspective on Writing Animals CrimeReads - CrimeReads

Where does Violet Grey fit in? There's a lot to learn from the LA retailers content and community-driven strategy, says Rogers. Exceptional curation has set Violet Grey apart, comments Michelle Kluz, a partner in the consumer practice of global strategy and management consulting firm Kearney. Sephora and Ulta dont have that same level of curation any longer. By virtue of getting large, theyve had to become more mass. By contrast, says that Violet Grey has done an incredible job of tastemaking and creating relevant content.

Luxury beauty brands are excited to sell on Farfetch. Farfetch [has] a sizable audience of the most discerning Gen Z and millennial shoppers, says Alessio Rossi, executive vice president of Shiseido and Cl de Peau Beaut US and head of digital transformation for the Americas at Shiseido. We see an opportunity to create an exciting touchpoint for both existing and new consumers who appreciate design, product performance and are open to testing new ways to experience beauty.

I am always looking for ways to find and service new and existing customers in the most convenient and effective way possible. Farfetch invited me to be a partner skincare brand and I accepted, not because my business needs a new distribution partner, but because I dont like to follow the typical beauty industry marketing playbook, says eponymous founder Dr Barbara Sturm. While the cornerstone of my brand is proven science-backed solutions for skin health and wellness, every product innovation is based on fresh thinking and new ideation.I am excited to find an innovation partner in FarFetch to take my brand message to the next level.

Behind the scenes at Farfetch is a newly formed team including head of beauty Sophie Wayman, who joined the business in January 2021 after senior beauty merchandising roles at Sephora and Net-a-Porter, and Sophia Panych, named as head of beauty content in February after nine years at Cond Nast, most recently as deputy digital beauty director at Allure. Both will focus on reaching millennials and Gen Z shoppers, who already make up a huge percentage of Farfetchs customer base, according to Rogers. A dedicated makeup buying team and in-store beauty specialists have also been recruited at Browns.

Violet Grey founder Cassandra Grey plays a pivotal role in Farfetchs global beauty collective, a committee of industry experts and creative visionaries assembled to educate and inspire through sharing tips, advice and personal beauty stories on Farfetch and their own social media platforms. At launch, they number 16 in total, including makeup artists Erin Parsons and Isamaya Ffrench; hair stylist Jawara Wauchope; dermatologist Michelle Henry; cosmetic chemist Michelle Wong; and drag queen and performer Violet Chachki. Browns has also developed its own beauty community of experts and enthusiasts. These are great people we identify with. We want to be able to utilise their expertise and they also talk to a different consumer, says Browns buying director Ida Petersson.

A global beauty community platform is also being launched, enabling potential customers to create a profile with their age, location and a custom biography detailing skin type, hair texture, skin and hair concerns and makeup and fragrance preferences. Users can leave reviews, post tutorials, provide advice and find inspiration. They can also track community points they have earned, enabling them to achieve three different statuses fan, expert and pro with a variety of benefits and discounts.

Link:
Farfetch wants a slice of the beauty business. Heres how - Vogue Business

Located in Virginia's Fairfax County near TSA's new headquarters, Kingstowne Towne Center is surrounded by 5,200 homes, four commercial office buildings, and a planned multifamily development, and is part of a one million-square-foot regional retail node that attracts approximately 8.3 million visits annuallyamongst the most visited retail destinations in Virginia.

The combined property is 97% leased and features a diversified tenant lineup that includes grocery anchors Safeway and Giant, national retailers T.J. Maxx, Ross and HomeGoods, and fast-casual concepts &pizza and Cava, among others. Federal Realty anticipates increasing the asset's valueover time through remerchandising and incremental capital investment. Kingstowne Towne Center is comparable to other large, market-dominant Federal Realty assets such as the double grocery-anchored center, Barracks Road.

"Kingstowne Towne Center has afforded us a rare opportunity to own 45 acres of land in one of the country's most desirable markets," said Jeff Berkes, President and Chief Operating Officer for Federal Realty. "The large property, which boasts attractive demographics and significant barriers to entry, is a valuable addition to our expanding Northern Virginia portfolio and further demonstrates our corporate commitment to investing in value-enhancing acquisitions."

The Kingstowne acquisition is the latest addition to Federal Realty's growing investment in its Northern Virginia portfolio which includes the recent acquisitions of Twinbrooke Shopping Centrein Fairfax and Chesterbrook in McLean and the recent renovation of Birch & Broadin Falls Church. With the addition of Kingstowne Towne Center, Federal Realty owns and operates over 4million square feet of real estate in Virginia.

AboutFederal RealtyFederal Realty is a recognized leader in the ownership, operation and redevelopment of high-quality retail-based properties located primarily in major coastal markets from Washington, D.C. to Boston as well as San Francisco and Los Angeles. Founded in 1962, Federal Realty's mission is to deliver long-term, sustainable growth through investing in communities where retail demand exceeds supply. Its expertise includes creating urban, mixed-use neighborhoods like Santana Row in San Jose, California, Pike & Rose in North Bethesda, Maryland and Assembly Row in Somerville, Massachusetts. These unique and vibrant environments that combine shopping, dining, living and working provide a destination experience valued by their respective communities. Federal Realty's 104 properties include approximately 3,100 tenants in 25 million square feet, and approximately 3,400 residential units.

Federal Realty has increased its quarterly dividends to its shareholders for 54 consecutive years, the longest record in the REIT industry. Federal Realty is an S&P 500 index member and its shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbol FRT. For additional information about Federal Realty and its properties, visit http://www.federalrealty.com.

Investor Inquiries: Leah Andress Brady Vice President, Investor Relations 301.998.8265 [emailprotected]

Media Inquiries: Brenda Pomar Director, Corporate Communications 301.998.8316 [emailprotected]

SOURCE Federal Realty Investment Trust

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Federal Realty Investment Trust Announces Acquisition of Kingstowne Towne Center in Northern Virginia - PR Newswire

Raj Dhamodharan Mastercards Global Head of crypto and blockchain believes that digital currencies pose no threat at all. Moreover, he classified them as probably the most mature investment asset.

The payment services giant Mastercard is among the companies seeking to dive deeper into the digital asset universe. Throughout the past several months, the firm has launched numerous initiatives to promote the industry and introduce crypto-related opportunities to its customers. Last October, it permitted all banks on its network to provide bitcoin services.

The man spearheading Mastercards crypto efforts is Raj Dhamodharan. In a recent interview, he doubled down on his companys bullish stance, saying digital assets should not be considered a threat. Investors protection is highly important, and Mastercard is always looking for providing choice in a safe and simple manner, he assured.

Dhamodharan went further, arguing that cryptocurrencies nature is unique as it is a package of multiple technologies. From an investors point of view, it is probably the most mature investment asset, he opined.

Touching upon bitcoin, the executive claimed that it is not just a currency but much more:

Bitcoin is not just about the currency. Its also about the chain. Its also about the cryptology behind it and the decentralization and all that.

Dhamodharan also spoke highly of non-fungible tokens, describing them as a great invention. He ranked them as the next mature investment asset class after cryptocurrencies:

The next thing to come out after these asset classes in the space is NFT. NFT is a great invention, and it is being applied to art at the moment. For creators, it opens up opportunities for them to sell their creations in unprecedented ways.

In January, the payment services provider collaborated with Coinbase to promote the NFT sector. The exchange raised hopes that the partnership will unlock new ways for users to purchase digital collectibles using their Mastercard cards:

Thanks to our work with Mastercard, well be able to provide a better customer experience on Coinbase NFT, and plan on working to find ways to bring this opportunity to the broader ecosystem through Mastercards scale and global network.

Earlier this month, the fintech corporation teamed up with Nexo to introduce the first cryptocurrency card in Europe that enables clients to spend without selling their holdings.

PrimeXBT Special Offer: Use this link to register & enter POTATO50 code to receive up to $7,000 on your deposits.

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Crypto is Probably the Most Mature Investment Asset, Says Mastercard Exec - CryptoPotato

US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Rep. Cindy Axne (D-Iowa) held a press conference Thursday to discuss the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, what it has done for Iowaand other rural areasand what it will do in the future.

Highlighting the potential for new opportunities such as expanded partnerships at airports, job creation, and how Iowas infrastructure could be made safer and more effective, Axne celebrated the bill.

All told, this law includes more than 375 programs that rural communities across the third districts are eligible for and its expected to invest more than $5 billion in Iowa, Axne said. Our rural areas are going to benefit tremendously from this and thats why Im so excited about this law.

The bill became law in November 2021. It passed with the only Iowa support coming from Axne and Sen. Chuck Grassley, while Iowas other four federal legislators voted against the legislation.

Axne said investment in good infrastructure can mean the difference in a long commute filled with detours, or a more direct, safer route. Same goes for the roads that ship Iowas goods.

Over the next five years, Iowa will receive the money for federal and non-federal highways, as well as bridges, trails, airports, water lines and support for electric vehicles.

The money is being distributed to states, who are then able to direct the money toward project priorities. For example, which roads and bridges will come first.

Ill tell you from our departments perspective, weve got a lot of focus on safety, Buttigieg said. When you have these bridges, for example, in need of repair, a lot of projects will, I think, make their way to the top of the list for that reason.

He also said economic strength should be another indicator, both in terms of construction job creation and long-term effects for the states economy, such as shipping goods out.

The point of this is to benefit communities, Buttigieg said. You cut through the politics and its about making sure we actually get things done.

Earlier this month, the White House released a playbook which provides a guide to rural communities for when, where and how to apply for funds. The playbook also has a guide for the types of projects that qualify for the funding.

In January, Axne announced funding for repairs to structurally deficient bridges. In December 2021, funding for roads and bridges also came out. As did funding for airports across the state and for water infrastructure such as replacing lead pipes.

The Iowa Department of Transportation in January also approved changes to its 2022-26 Iowa Transportation Improvement Program that are possible because of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Those include 14 additional pavement rehabilitation or replacement projects and four safety projects.

In all, the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is meant to provide for high-speed internet, improving rural transportation, fixing roads and bridges, funding rural water projects, upgrading electricity infrastructure, and improving resiliency against climate change-fueled natural disasters.

It will make the difference in so many communities to ensure they have success, Axne said. This is vital to the growth of rural Iowa and urban Iowa. Normally we would fall on the back end of getting as much infrastructure funding, but with a windfall like this its going to take us a long way.

Nikoel Hytrek4/21/22

Iowa Starting Line is part of an independent news network and focuses on how state and national decisions impact Iowans daily lives. We rely on your financial support to keep our stories free for all to read. You can contribute to us here. Also follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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Axne And Buttigieg Highlight Infrastructure Bill's Investment In Rural Iowa - Iowa Starting Line

CHARLESTON, W.Va. Today, U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) U.S. and Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Representative David McKinley (R-W.Va.-01) announced $14,100,280 from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for twelve West Virginia projects. This funding will bolster flood protection, upgrade dam infrastructure and protect water quality across the state.

As ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, I advocated to make improving water quality for West Virginians a priority in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Senator Capito said. This funding will not only go toward key projects across West Virginia to ensure a safe water supply, but also to upgrade watershed and flood control structures in communities that need it most. West Virginia continues to benefit from the bipartisan infrastructure bill, and Im proud to make another announcement that will help improve our cities and towns today.

In order to ensure all West Virginians have reliable access to clean water, we must continually update and improve our water infrastructure throughout the state, Senator Manchin said. I successfully fought to include funding for water infrastructure upgrades across West Virginia in our bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and I am pleased USDA is investing more than $14 million for twelve West Virginia watersheds to ensure proper water quality, improve dams and strengthen flood prevention in our communities. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for funding to address the infrastructure needs of the Mountain State.

Flooding has devastated countless communities across West Virginia, not only impacting residents who live in flood prone areas, but also limiting the potential for economic development. Businesses are not likely to come to a region that experiences significant flooding, plain and simple, Representative McKinley said. That is why this announcement of $14 million from the infrastructure bill to kickstart flood prevention and water protection projects is so important for West Virginia. This funding will support a dozen projects, including the Elk Creek Watershed flood control project in Harrison County and will provide enhanced flood protections for the New Creek dam in Mineral County. Upgrading flood protection and dam infrastructure will restore confidence in these communities, attracting businesses and good jobs, ensuring a better quality of life for the people of this state.

In March of this year, the lawmakers announced $6.3 million from the bipartisan IIJA through the USDA for 22 West Virginia watersheds and flood protection sites.

Individual projects listed below:

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Capito, Manchin, McKinley Announce More Than $14 Million from Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for West Virginia Watersheds - Shelley...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 20, 2022

Contact: Press@michigan.gov

Gov. Whitmer Calls for Federal Investment to Protect 600 Jobs, Lower Energy Costs, Shore up Michigans Energy Needs

New Civil Nuclear Credit program could help Palisades facility in Covert Township stay open

LANSING, Mich. Governor Gretchen Whitmer today sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Energy after they published guidance on the first round of funding for the Civil Nuclear Credit (CNC) program. The governor urged the deployment of federal resources from the CNC to keep Palisades, a nuclear energy facility in Covert Township, open. The Southwest Michigan plant employs 600 Michiganders in good-paying jobs, is critical to the regional economy, and provides over 800 megawatts of clean energyenough to power around 800,000 Michigan homes.

Keeping Palisades open is a top priority, said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Doing so will allow us to shore up Michigans energy supply to prevent price spikes on working families and small businesses, make Michigan more competitive for economic development projects bringing billions in investment, protect hundreds of good-paying jobs for Michiganders, and meet our climate goals. My administration will support an application for funding from this new federal program to keep Palisades open, and I urge the companies involved to think creatively and optimistically about how to leverage this opportunity. Together, we can protect 600 high-paying careers, support over 1,100 jobs in the area, and shore up $363 million in annual, regional economic development. Getting this done will help us continue growing our economy, lowering energy costs for families, and boosting clean energy production in Michigan, which is critical to achieving energy independence.

The full letter is available here:

Palisades

Palisades is a nuclear energy facility in Covert Township with a license to operate until 2031. Its currently owned by Entergy and the power is purchased by Consumers Energy. Palisades provides over 800 megawatts of clean energy to Michiganenough to power 800,000 Michigan homes. This is a union facility supporting 600 employees making an average of $117,845. Palisades is currently in the process of being decommissioned with a shutdown date of May 31, 2022, when its current fuel supply runs out. After shutdown, the plant is set to be sold to Holtec Decommissioning International with a closing date of no later than June 30, 2022.

Civil Nuclear Credit Program

The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) included $6 billion for the CNC to prevent the premature retirement of existing nuclear plants. The program is available for plants that would otherwise retire and are certified as safe to continue operations. The State of Michigan has had numerous conversations with the U.S. Department of Energy, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Entergy, Holtec, potential owners, operators, and power purchasers, and the plants employees on how to utilize the CNC to prevent Palisades from early closure, protect 600 jobs, and shore up Michigans clean energy supply.

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Whitmer Calls for Federal Investment to Protect Jobs and Shore up Energy Needs - Michigan (.gov)

The Jacksonville Jaguars threw a wrench at the wide receiver market and didnt make many teams happy when they gave Christian Kirk a four-year deal worth $72 million. While its too early to tell if things are going to work out the way they envision, its fair to say the Jags are pleased with the early returns on their investment.

Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor recently appeared on the Happy Hour and touched on several topics, including his relationship with Trevor Lawrence, how he will work with his staff, and the teams additions in free agency, including Kirk. When asked what the wide receiver brings to the offense, Taylor said the biggest thing is his versatility to line up all over the formation and win outside. He also praised his speed and described him as a great decision-maker. The offensive coordinator added that he likes his demeanor.

You know, probably something I didnt know about him was his demeanor. Weve been around each other for a week. Hes got a great demeanor about himself. He again asks great questions, similar to the quarterbacks where I think that makes up for a lot of less time on the grass, where they have the ability to sit and communicate in a meeting room and get on the same page and he brings out that element. He brings big plays, [hes a] dynamic player. Hes good with the ball in his hands. Hes able to win in a number of different ways which is intriguing for us.

Host J.P. Shadrick then noted that he hadnt heard someone refer to a widout as a decision-maker and asked Taylor what he meant. The offensive coordinator says part of that is the kind of questions Kirk makes, Can I adjust this way versus that?, Do you expect me to do this? Heres the whole clip in case you want to give it a listen.

A player is worth what a team is to pay him and while Kirks past production might not have been on par with the contract the Jaguars gave him, they are the ones that set the amount. They paid him not for what he has done but because of what he can do for them and if he lives up to expectations, will observers be able to say general manager Trent Baalke overpaid for him?

Its true that Kirk hasnt had a 1,000-yard season but its also worth noting that he wasnt the top target in the Arizona Cardinals offense and he thrive once head coach Kliff Kingsbury started to use his skillset correctly (using him more in the slot). The Jags saw what he did last season and believe he can take the next step.

The Jaguars needed to get Trevor Lawrence as many weapons as possible this offseason and while they had to pay a premium for Kirk, it will be worth it if he becomes a reliable target, helps them score more points, and plays a role in the young passers development in 2022.

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Jaguars pleased with investment in WR Christian Kirk - Black and Teal