Toward a Community Vision for Equitable Economic Development

Washington, DC, has prospered in the last decade and a half, but for residents living in neighborhoods east of the Anacostia River, the story has been different. The City First Foundation convened the Equitable Economic Development East of the River conference in November 2015 to address how DC can bring more of its newfound prosperity to neighborhoods east of the river in a way that equally benefits current and new residents. By having an equitable development strategy grounded in a community vision that brings jobs, commercial development, housing, and resident engagement together in a mutually supporting way, the city can provide a roadmap for further action.