Working with CDCs and Economic Development organizations, UCS views economic development as a tool not just for growth, but for inclusion, empowerment, and resilience. Our approach to community and economic development centers on unlocking the unique assets of a place—its culture, people, institutions, and geography—to foster equitable prosperity and long-term self-sufficiency.
We guide inclusive revitalization efforts that stimulate local economies and build enduring capacity. Our team works hand-in-hand with stakeholders to identify catalytic opportunities that align economic strategies with community vision, often within historically disinvested or underutilized neighborhoods. From neighborhood-scale interventions to citywide economic frameworks, UCS creates conditions for inclusive investment and shared success.
Our services in this area include:
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Small Business & Entrepreneurial Ecosystems: We help establish and support small business incubators, pop-up retail strategies, and maker spaces that foster local entrepreneurship—particularly among BIPOC and women-owned enterprises.
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Creative & Cultural Economy Planning: By activating arts districts, cultural hubs, and historic assets, we design strategies that harness creative economies as drivers of place-based revitalization, tourism, and civic pride.
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Opportunity Zone & Incentive Strategy: UCS develops investment-ready strategies for Opportunity Zones and other designated incentive areas, helping communities attract mission-aligned capital that delivers both returns and impact.
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Workforce & Job Creation Planning: We connect land use and economic development to workforce needs, identifying job centers, training pipelines, and local hiring policies that prepare residents for emerging industries.
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Main Street & Downtown Revitalization: Whether restoring a historic corridor or launching a new public-private partnership, we work to re-energize commercial districts with pedestrian-friendly design, anchor tenants, and curated activation strategies.
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Inclusive Financing & Capacity Building: We support access to capital for small developers, community-based organizations, and local governments—providing technical assistance on public funding, tax credits, and lending strategies.
By aligning place-based revitalization with inclusive economic policy, UCS helps communities grow not just stronger, but more equitable—ensuring that prosperity is local, lasting, and accessible to all.