The New Localism: Problem solving at the ground level* Greater Chatham Initiative (GCI) was formed to implement the 2016 Comprehensive Plan for Economic Growth and Neighborhood Vitality. Two years in the making, 250 people and institutions covering the Chicago South Side neighborhoods of Chatham, Greater Grand Crossing, Auburn Gresham and Avalon Park. GCI’s main focus areas: Housing, Public Safety, Business Development & Workforce. In the Greater Chatham area are 2,500 businesses employing 50,000. The plan identified three industrial clusters that exist and have good prospects for growth: 1) Transportation, Distribution & Logistics (TDL) 2) Fabricated Metal / light manufacturing 3) Food Processing and Packaging We have developed a portfolio of resources to: 1) Increase sales revenue 2) Develop growth strategies 3) Access to capital 4) Workforce recruiting and development If we are successful in helping these clusters and businesses grow and prosper then hopefully they’ll hire more neighbors. There are several new South Side assets we can employ to train 21st-century workers. *Katz & Nowak