The CDC in McKnight grew out of a 1993 Federal grant which required a "Needs assessment" survey, and the survey showed that people in the community felt that needs besides housing needed to be addressed. As a result programs addressing economic development and youth development and education were introduced, resulting in a multi-year Summer Youth program based on Heritage Education, and an economic development program based in supporting development of "Provider cooperative" businesses.
In recent years the group has moved to diversify its activities while continuing to support historic house preservation, and is now active in workforce development, working to reduce health disparities, solar energy and energy efficiency, and working to promote workplace safety. One notable project involved moving an endangered 1880 house and restoring it as permanently affordable housing units. Other current projects under the CDC umbrella are aimed at creation of a "Living museum" of Victorian homes, emphasizing the multi-racial origins of both the community and its preservation, regional workforce training and sustainable transportation through "Fleet life extension".
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- EIN 04-3207383
- 1030 Worthington St Springfield MA 01109-4019 USA
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