About TEC-CDC
The Enterprise Center Community Development Corporation (TEC-CDC) is a neighborhood-based nonprofit organization in West Philadelphia. Founded in 2001 by The Enterprise Center, a respected minority business accelerator, TEC-CDC extends The Enterprise Center’s focus on minority entrepreneurship and wealth creation through strategic investments, programs, and initiatives in the Walnut Hill neighborhood of West Philadelphia. TEC-CDC is part of The Enterprise Center family of organizations.
The Enterprise Center Community Development Corporation (CDC)’s mission is to build neighborhoods where people are willing, able, and organized to achieve their common goals.
TEC-CDC is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of local residents, nonprofit leaders, and business owners in Walnut Hill, as well as regional leaders in the fields of real estate development, education, finance, and business. The organization is run by an experienced staff with expertise in community organizing, economic development, public health, and urban education. Our funding comes from a variety of sources including grants, contracts, rental income, and corporate and private donations. To-date, TEC-CDC has leveraged millions of dollars for direct investment in community-based projects and initiatives.
TEC-CDC utilizes an innovative, multi-faceted strategy of community economic development that could become a replicable model in other areas. Our target community is the Walnut Hill neighborhood in which The Enterprise Center is located. Walnut Hill is a community of 8,643 residents located between 45th Street on the east, 52nd Street on the west, Market Street on the north, and Spruce Street on the south. TEC-CDC works closely and collaboratively with the Walnut Hill Community Association and neighboring civic associations, community groups, and local nonprofits.
TEC-CDC’s multi-faceted approach focuses on the themes of employment, education, and engagement. We believe that it is critical to build collaborations, and to focus on a range of issues that together create comprehensive solutions to difficult challenges. Just focusing on housing, jobs, education, and outreach is not enough. We believe we have found the right mix of targeted programs and initiatives to realize success, and a strategy for empowering communities to help themselves. We have won awards and praise for our innovative approach.
Our projects and initiatives are diverse:
- Center for Culinary Enterprises
- Food, School, and Community
- Walnut Hill Street Team
- Walnut Hill Neighborhood Plan
- West Philadelphia Education Initiative
- Walnut Hill Playground
- The Plaza at Enterprise Heights
Please visit our Projects and Initiatives page for more information on the items above.
We invite you to get involved with our exciting work at TEC-CDC. We believe we have found a successful model for community economic development, but we cannot do it without the support of the community, our friends, partners, and funders. If you would more information or would like to get involved with the TEC-CDC’s projects, please contact us.