Our economic development initiatives aim to create equitable opportunities for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) to participate in and benefit from the economic growth of their neighborhoods and the wider region. We do this through an integrated strategy focused on three categories:

• Places. We enhance the vibrancy and sustainability of commercial corridors in underserved communities by investing in resident-led projects that create a shared vision, improve the physical environment, and celebrate the unique assets of each neighborhood.
• Business. We help to launch and sustain small BIPOC-owned businesses that provide essential goods and services to residents, create jobs, foster a sense of community and nurture economic opportunity and innovation.
• People. We create opportunities for people to secure jobs that increases their income and assets and build financial literacy to ensure that participants maintain their economic security.

LISC, in partnership with Kaiser Permanente, is advancing health and wealth through a place-focused and people-centered approach to district, business, and talent development in Puget Sound. This work aims to address barriers to inclusive growth and economic mobility, particularly those experienced by Black, Indigenous, and people of color. Currently, LISC is engaged in place-based work in two Puget Sound communities: Skyway and Casino Road. The goals of this program include:

Enhancing Business Districts:

• Ensuring that business districts have quality, affordable retail and commercial spaces.
• Fostering an environment that supports business growth.

Supporting BIPOC Entrepreneurs:

• Promoting quality job retention and creation.
• Nurturing a healthy ecosystem for equitable small business growth.

Developing Talent:

• Providing financial coaching and reskilling opportunities.
• Connecting people with income support and quality jobs.

New Report Highlights Importance of this Work: This new report from The Brookings Metro examines LISC’s community-centered economic inclusion initiative, which centers neighborhoods as the key setting for driving strong regional economies. The lessons in this report highlight what we know to be true: To truly transform the prosperity and well-being of entire cities and regions, it’s past time to abandon top-down or “trickle-down” approaches and embrace the actionable, community-rooted models that have demonstrated impact in cities and neighborhoods nationwide.

LISC provides support to organizations that support small businesses to start and grow, to provide wealth building opportunities for entrepreneurs and vitality to business districts. Business development organizations provide coaching, technical assistance and long-range recovery strategies to BIPOC and women entrepreneurs. LISC funded programs strengthen the operations of these businesses by providing access to capital, training, and one on one coaching.