ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
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Serving the residents of the Jacksonville Urban Core Communities.
ABOUT NORTHWEST JACKSONVILLE CDC
NJCDC was founded in June 2001 “out of concern for community decline and blight,” according to the organization’s historical narrative. In 2004, NJCDC sold its first home, beginning a track record of addressing neighborhood improvement, blight elimination, and crime reduction by improving the quality of housing stock, leading community engagement activities, and infusing commercial and retail services into the area.
To date, the organization has built and sold more than 75 homes and inspired many more homes to be built by others within a half-mile radius of its main office. NJCDC also built Northpoint I, a $4 million development that has housed various businesses, including, but not limited to a dental clinic, pharmacy, café, NJCDC’s office and other nonprofit and business enterprises.
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Early in its history, NJCDC expanded its service geography to include a seven-neighborhood area. Beginning in the late 2000’s as part of recession recovery, the organization received Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funds to purchase, land-bank, rehabilitate, and property-manage homes across this wider geography. NJCDC was also awarded a sizable grant from Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Jacksonville to quarterback a multi-stakeholder community visioning process.
Managed by NJCDC’s long-standing chief executive officer (CEO) Paul Tutwiler and a well-respected community based board of directors, these two resources grounded NJCDC and helped the organization sustain itself during a time when many of its peers ceased to exist.
For years, NJCDC has been committed to the revitalization of the District of Soul. Thanks to our board and CEO's forward-thinking approach, we are focused on making a real difference through real estate development. We understand that the success of a community is dependent on its people, and we are dedicated to providing the resources and support necessary for growth and prosperity. Every project we undertake is grounded in the belief that by working together, we can create a better future for everyone in the community.
Included in this work is the joint-venture development of an 80 - apartment senior living complex; predevelopment work on Northpoint II (which will house the community’s first grocery store, a mass transit hub and other amenities); public “District of Soul” branding signage. Discussion continues on other ways to enhance the District of Soul community and its residents.
The Board of Directors, CEO and NJCDC staff recognizes the value that NJCDC plays around community services and community engagement, as evidenced by the lead role the organization took around hurricane mitigation and relief efforts after Hurricane Irma.
In collaboration with City of Jacksonville officials and local lenders dedicated to the same type of work, NJCDC is leading the charge in helping to revitalize and infuse the businesses on the Myrtle/Moncrief corridor, providing grant application assistance and other technical support to rebrand their businesses.
