LEWISTON – The National League of Cities contacted the city of Lewiston on Jan. 23 as one of 30 cities to attend a one-day symposium on municipal financial empowerment. City Councilor Robert Reed will attend the Sunday, March 15, event in Washington, D.C.

The league’s Institute for Youth, Education and Families and the Cities for Financial Empowerment Coalition will host the event, bringing together administrations from across the country that utilize their positions to advance financial empowerment initiatives.

Attendees will learn from and network with municipal leaders already engaged in such efforts.

Lewiston was asked to participate due to its leadership in the annual Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) awareness campaign as part of the Lewiston-Auburn Tax Credit Awareness CA$H Coalition.

Reed said, “My intent in attending is to share with the rest of the country what the Lewiston-Auburn EITC program has accomplished, not just in numbers but in terms of real people being able to take steps closer to financial security. The multi-partner initiative offers our residents free income tax preparation and immediate e-filing, along with free asset-building coaching and financial education opportunities to assist them. I also hope to return to Lewiston with information on what other communities are doing so I can share that and help make Lewiston an even more vibrant community for those wishing to call it their home.”

The 2009 tax season EITC outreach is under way, with 951 residents already assisted by the LA Coalition. The free tax preparation service will continue until Tuesday, March 31, of this year.