Progressive Alliance CDC: Pioneering Community Development and Wellness Initiatives in Akron

PACDC is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization under the direction of Executive Director, Dr. David Nelson, that advocates and promotes Families and Healthy Communities through Economic Development, Affordable Housing, and Wellness Services for the residents and communities of Akron. PACDC is based in West Akron, OH. The corporation is actively involved in economic development for urban areas and in the provision of affordable housing and wellness services which include; mental health, physical health, emotional health, and financial health.

Mission and Vision

The vision of the PACDC is to improve the quality of life in the communities of Akron while stimulating economic development through workforce development, while enhancing and renovating properties in an effort to increase property values within our communities. Specifically in the West Akron community, our work is critical to the advancement of equitable programming and practices for everyone in the West Akron community.

Core Values

PACDC Core Values are:

1. Treat People with Dignity: We believe people, no matter who they are, should be dignified. We will treat all residents with the utmost care and respect for their person.
2. Act with Integrity: This will form the foundation of our organization with integrity. We will always service our community with professional ethics and utmost integrity.
3. Demonstrate Compassion: Being compassionate gives us the desire to care for other people. In being kind, we will try to notice, feel, and respond to the needs of all in our community.
4. Pursue Excellence: We seek to be innovative in our approach to dealing with the community. We will try to do the best we can in all efforts for the betterment of our community.

Programs and Services

PACDC offers a variety of services and programs. Our MicroEnterprise Network program has conducted four cohorts. There have been 65 small business participants ranging from start-up to 10 plus years in existence that attend the sessions. The project objective is to provide small business development training to grow and sustain businesses within the community as a pathway to self-sufficiency.

Goals and Objectives

The goals of the project are:

• Recruit and enroll applicants for the project.
• Implement evidence best practices to demonstrate to start, expand, and sustain businesses for enrolled participants.

Success Stories

One of our success stories includes a participant who was able to take what was learned from the loan packing presentation, receive a business loan and increase the capacity of his recidivism business. This is in true alignment with our mission to build a greater West Akron community through training, development, resources, and community building.

Work Forward Program

Our Work Forward program focuses on an individual’s ability to grow their skills and develop the tools they need for business success and ultimately, be placed on a job at the end of the program.

Digital Literacy Program

Our Digital Literacy program has supported the Akron community in a variety of ways.

West Akron Neighborhood Plan

PACDC is proud to lead the work of the West Akron Neighborhood Plan. Working in partnership with MKSK, KM Date Community Planning, Project Ujima, and the West Akron Neighborhood Steering Committee, the plans to initiate a collected and shared vision for development in West Akron are a year in the making.

This plan will take a comprehensive look at the neighborhood and develop strategic economic and community development recommendations for revitalization and improvement of the neighborhood to foster a high quality of life for neighborhood residents.

The process will be undertaken in four stages:

Meetings and circles were held at New Hope Baptist Church, United Baptist Church, and Buchtel Community Learning Center to engage the community on building a greater West Akron.

Progressive Alliance CDC is proud to not only represent the community of West Akron, but the entirety of Summit County through programs and partnerships. PACDC’s mission is to grow, enhance, and advocate for the neighborhoods and communities of Akron by promoting healthy families and healthy communities.

More specifically, PACDC will help existing businesses with their expansion needs when requested with rental subsidies; help identify, and attract startup businesses to the area while offering support of capacity and operational needs with matching or direct subsidies; develop and promote a regional inclusive of and bolstered by its individual community brands; aggressively market the competitive advantages of the West side of Akron to the world; maintain a regional economic development, research and resource center; and help organize, grow, and strengthen wages across the community.

If you would like to donate or volunteer, visit our website at: www.progressakron.org Email: progressivealliancecdc@gmail.com Phone: 330-903-2215