Bonds are the bedrock of public development finance. They have been used to help build roads, bridges, sewers, dams, and thousand of other public and private projects. Bonds are issued and sold to the investing public by governmental entities to finance both governmental activities and the development of physical infrastructure and local economies.
There are two types of bonds: Government Bonds (GOs) and Private Activity Bonds (PABs). GOs may be used for many public purposes (e.g., highways, schools, bridges, sewers, jails, parks, government equipment and buildings, etc.). Private entities may not significantly use, operate, control, or own the facilities that are being financed. GOs benefit the general public, while PABs benefit private entities. PABs are the development finance mechanisms that drive projects involving both the public and private sector.
The CDFA Bond Finance Resource Center contains development finance tools that can be used to better understand the essentials of bond finance. Over 50,000 individual governments and authorities around the country issue bonds and the Bond Finance Resource Center is a comprehensive clearinghouse of information, case studies, and educational materials on the uses and function of bonds.
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Bonds are the bedrock of public development finance and serve as the primary source for financing many types of projects, including infrastructure, industrial development, and urban development. This section contains resources on understanding the basics of bond financing.
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Bonds as a Bedrock of Development FinanceMembers only 
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Bond financing remains the bedrock development finance tool for economic development. Seth Crone with The Bank of New York Mellon and Lee McCormick with Community Development Associates discuss how this long-standing tool can be used today to provide a significant portion of a project’s capital stack with a special focus on bond financing programs in Texas. Presenters from bond agencies and capital market firms will walk through bond deals and explore strategies for maximizing the tool throughout the state.
Project Finance: Leveraging the Capital Stack
Financing economic development projects through bonds and a combination of other development finance tools is discussed by Jason Rittenberg in this cover story from Development Finance Perspectives, Issue 1 | 2012. The article features project photos submitted by CDFA members.
Built by Bonds
This unique publication from CDFA provides the definitive argument for tax-exempt bond finance, which is a critical tool for American economic development and job creation. Using both qualitative and quantitative analysis, Built by Bonds demonstrates the proven efficiency of tax-exempt bonds.
CDFA Food Systems Finance Best Practices Guidebook
Linking development finance and food systems can be a daunting undertaking for any community. Research on the current ecosystem of food systems finance has positioned CDFA to identify key strategies for the path ahead in this work. The Food Systems Finance Best Practices Guidebook defines how traditional development finance tools can be used to launch and expand food and agricultural-related businesses and projects, and create successful food systems finance programs at the local and regional levels.
Limits of Disclosure Regulation in the Municipal Bond Market
Using a novel data set on municipal private debt disclosures, the authors of this academic research study the effectiveness and market impact of disclosure regulation in the municipal debt market. By comparing reportable private debt events to the universe of realized disclosures, we find evidence that issuers significantly underreport private debt.
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Development Bond Finance Reference Guide
The Development Bond Finance Reference Guide provides practitioners with a solid foundation for understanding the use of tax-exempt bonds, with an emphasis on small issue industrial development bonds and 501(C)(3) bonds. With numerous examples of sample bond transactions and a glossary of municipal finance terms, this guide covers the essential elements of private activity bonds and the issuance process.
Advanced Bond Finance Reference Guide
The Advanced Bond Finance Reference Guide is written for professionals who already have an understanding of tax-exempt financing and seek detailed instruction on complex financing techniques, including the application of financial derivatives, advance refundings, how to spot arbitrage issues, and investing bond proceeds. Also included are seven case studies of proven state and city bond guaranty programs.
Practitioner's Guide to Economic Development Finance
The Practitioner's Guide to Economic Development Finance 2nd Edition is the only comprehensive resource dedicated to building and utilizing the development finance toolbox. The Practitioner's Guide provides the insight and practical information needed to critically understand how economic development is financed and the tools, strategies and techniques used to build strong communities. From bonds, tax increment finance and special districts to tax credits, seed & venture capital, revolving loan funds and much more, this Guide outlines the financing tools required for succeeding in today's competitive economic development climate.
Unlocking Capital: A Handbook for Becoming a High Performing Development Finance Agency
Unlocking Capital: A Handbook for Becoming a High Performing Development Finance Agency (Handbook) serves as a companion to the Practitioner’s Guide to help illuminate the structures of development finance agencies (DFAs), essential conduits to access development finance tools. The Handbook provides an overview of DFAs and their myriad roles in various development efforts. Included in this discussion is a comprehensive look at over a dozen high-performing DFAs throughout the country. The Handbook is designed to be a starting point for local leaders to engage in the creation or acceleration of a DFA to build and utilize the development finance toolbox.
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Intro Bond Finance WebCourse
March 10-11, 2025
Daily: 12:00-5:00 PM Eastern
The Intro Bond Finance WebCourse provides an in-depth look at governmental and qualified private activity bonds, with a focus on industrial development bonds (IDBs), 501(c)(3) non-profit bonds, exempt facility bonds, and other special bond programs authorized by the federal government.
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Advanced Bond Finance WebCourse
March 12-13, 2025
Daily: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Eastern
The Advanced Bond Finance WebCourse is designed for professionals who already have an understanding of tax-exempt bond financing and seek detailed instruction on complex financing techniques. Expert speakers will explore topics including the application of financial derivatives, advance refundings, investing bond proceeds, and how to spot arbitrage issues.
Register
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Intro Bond Finance WebCourse
March 10-11, 2025
Daily: 12:00-5:00 PM Eastern
The Intro Bond Finance WebCourse provides an in-depth look at governmental and qualified private activity bonds, with a focus on industrial development bonds (IDBs), 501(c)(3) non-profit bonds, exempt facility bonds, and other special bond programs authorized by the federal government.
Register
Advanced Bond Finance WebCourse
March 12-13, 2025
Daily: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Eastern
The Advanced Bond Finance WebCourse is designed for professionals who already have an understanding of tax-exempt bond financing and seek detailed instruction on complex financing techniques. Expert speakers will explore topics including the application of financial derivatives, advance refundings, investing bond proceeds, and how to spot arbitrage issues.
Register
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