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Economic Development & Safety

A community isn't complete without places to shop and work, without clean, safe streets, without the vitality and optimism that thriving businesses represent. LISC helps CDCs develop retail and commercial facilities, train and place neighborhood residents in jobs, and organize anti-crime efforts, all of which are essential for healthy neighborhoods.

  • Commercial revitalization

    The Commercial Markets Advisory Service (CMAS) formerly known as Center for Commercial Revitalization was established in 2006 to provide comprehensive economic and market development assistance and support to commercial districts and corridors, particularly in LISC local sites. CMAS features LISC MetroEdge, a powerful and unique market assessment tool developed by ShoreBank Advisory Services and refined by LISC. CMAS, through staff and nationally-recognized consultants with specialty skills in market analysis, strategic planning, real estate and other aspects of commercial revitalization, provides assistance to communities working to stimulate development and renewal of neighborhood commercial districts. CMAS works with eight Local LISC offices across the country to provide assistance to a multitude of commercial revitalization programs.
  • Community safety

    LISC’s Community Safety Initiative (CSI) builds long-term partnerships among law enforcement, developers, and other key parties in troubled communities to reduce persistent crime, disorder and fear. In neighborhoods as diverse as Brooklyn’s East New York, Seattle’s Chinatown-International district, and Kansas City’s east side, CSI has been the catalyst for physical improvements and strategies that have reduced crime, increased public confidence and attracted new businesses.
  • Tax credits

    LISC’s New Markets Support Company helps community organizations attract new businesses to underserved neighborhoods through use of federal New Markets Tax Credits. The credits are designed as incentives for investors to support projects in communities that have a demonstrated need for additional business development.
  • LISC MetroEdge

    LISC MetroEdge is a retail market analysis package of products and services specially tailored for low-income communities. This package can be used to identify the untapped retail potential of neighborhoods or specific locations, and create the informational materials retailers, government agencies, and community groups need to promote business, employment, and shopping opportunities in emerging domestic markets.

Related Publication

Experts Online: Using Marketing Material and Demographic Data to Attract Retailers
03/20/2008

Event Description

March 19, 2008
Determining what kind of retail your community can support and refining a list of potential businesses to target are key steps in achieving your retail attraction goals. Once you've done this groundwork, how do you appropriately pitch your communities investment opportunities to particular retailers? This online webcast session will highlight what comprises strong retail attraction marketing materials and will provide tips on how to verbally "pitch" retailers and developers at events like ICSCs Dealmaking Exchanges.

Experts Online: Retail Attraction and Dealmaking Series - Introductory Session
01/10/2008

Event Description

January 9, 2008
An Introduction and Overview of LISC's Commercial Markets Advisory Service (CMAS)

Experts

  • Larisa Ortiz, Director
    LISC Commercial Markets Advisory Service (CMAS)
  • Jennifer Furioli, Program Officer
    LISC Commercial Markets Advisory Service (CMAS)
  • Cynthia Stewart, Director, Community Relations
    International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)

Commercial Revitalization Planning Guide
08/27/2007

With so many local organizations and government groups working to revitalize and develop neighborhood commercial districts, LISC has published a resource dedicated to helping communities plan and implement commercial corridor revitalization programs. Commercial corridor managers, economic development officials, chambers of commerce, and BIDs can add the Commercial Markets Advisory Service's Commercial Revitalization Planning Guide to their revitalization toolkit.

Related Event

Experts Online - Economic Development/Revitalization Award--Preparing your Proposal
February 13, 2008; 2:00 - 3:30 PM

Urban Forum 2008 will give LISC an opportunity to honor community development practitioners, community groups, and leaders who have helped to change the economic landscape of their community.

Getting It Done: New Tools for Communities
March 26 - 27, 2008
The nation’s top community development practitioners will gather in Chicago March 26-27 to share their stories and build new skills.

Generous Supporters of LISC Economic Development & Safety

Bank of America
Freddie Mac Foundation
HSBC
JPMorgan Chase
Living Cities
MetLife Foundation
Reed Smith
State Farm Insurance Companies
The Fannie Mae Foundation
The JEHT Foundation
The New York Community Trust
U.S. Bank
U.S. Department of Commerce
U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Department of Treasury
Wachovia
Washington Mutual