Collective Action for a Vibrant Local Economy

A thriving neighborhood district can contribute to a strong local economy by creating employment opportunities, attracting dollars from outside the community, and increasing the local tax base. A vibrant business district can also add to a neighborhood’s desirability and market value. Proximity to and availability of restaurants, shops, personal services and entertainment venues are amenities that residents may look for in choosing one neighborhood over another. But too often, the commercial districts that are in proximity to low-income neighborhoods are not characterized by vibrancy. Just the opposite. A dearth of businesses punctuated by blight is the more common condition resulting in economic leakage and depriving residents of a neighborhood that produces local jobs, offers retail amenities and fosters community pride. In an effort to reverse this disparity in neighborhood conditions, proactive steps are being taken to build vibrant neighborhood commercial districts.