Community Development
What exactly is community development?
Community Development is “a process where community members come together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problems.” Jamie Mathy, an alderman in Bloomington, Illinois, expands its definition, saying that “anything dealing with people working together to make our community better can fall under Community Development, whether those are social or economic needs. The goal is to make the entire community stronger.”
In most cities and towns across the United States, the Community Development department usually includes city planning, beautification, zoning, permitting (and sometimes the management of community utilities).
Often, people get “economic development” and “community development” confused. Economic Development is about attracting new businesses to an area. Community development is about growing the existing infrastructure and business community so that it improves life for all residents.
Community development projects include the construction of schools, parks, and libraries, as well as care and resources for the homeless, elderly, veterans, and at-risk youth. In recent years, community gardens are also very popular way to build community and enhance the lives of residents.
Two Examples of Community Development Projects
- The main road of a once-vibrant small U.S. city is now comprised of houses that are poorly maintained. Community and local leaders decide to designate this neighborhood as a historic district (or “redevelopment”), offering resources for homeowners in that area and requiring a certain level of upkeep. The curb appeal of the district now brings citizens from local areas to the town and helps raise property values, and a new restaurant has opened up to serve residents of this neighborhood.
- A large U.S. city is bounded on the north and south by rail elevations (overpasses) which have long served as an unsightly gateway into downtown. In order to enhance the image of their central business district, these points of entry into the downtown needed to be addressed. Both of the overpasses were improved. (The project also included a new welcome sign.)
Why is Community Development Important?
The advantages of a strong community development focus include:
- Citizens are happier, healthier, richer, and live longer lives
- Communities are able to attract and keep talent, and start and grow businesses
- Businesses have a larger base of customers who can purchase their products and services
- The town or city earns more tax income to continue to support important programs
- There is less crime and less disparity between citizens.
The city manager of a successful community development department writes: “Community development takes collaboration among stakeholders who are dedicated to working together to define and solve problems within the community and pursuing opportunities. It requires those not associated with the government (aka, the private sector) to get involved through volunteering and direct action.”
Whether in Wilmington, NC, across the Southeastern U.S., or across the nation, the need for community development projects is greater than ever before. If you’re thinking of constructing a new structure in your community, give us a call. We’d welcome quoting you on a commercial construction loan that meets your needs.
Learn more about our loan process here.
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