National Development Council (NDC)

The National Development Council (NDC) leads a consultant team including, BDS Planning & Urban Design, Craft3, and Moving Beyond on the COO Learning Community Commercial Affordability Pilot Project. This work is geared towards identifying and developing models, tools, and services that will increase community ownership and equitable development opportunities, and support business owners who risk being displaced from their neighborhoods.

The intent of the pilot is to support and build on existing projects within the Communities of Opportunity that promote commercial affordability, identify new tools to increase access to capital, and find ways to address other barriers to commercial affordability, such as technical assistance for business operations or capital improvements.

Currently, research and information gathering continues to build towards Phase 2 of the effort — implementation, and the deployment of strategic activities and aligned funds.