Week 7: Shared Prosperity and Business Initiatives

This week's research consisted of cataloging all of the businesses and business opportunities in Jonestown. I started asking all of the questions posed in Module 7, and I've included my research below:

Pictured: One of Baltimore's top small employer's: Campbell & Company

Retrieved from: http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/jobs/topworkplaces-2016/bal-top-small-employers-for-2016-20161121-photogallery.html

Important Questions about Shared Prosperity:

What business corridors exist and are the businesses in them healthy and prosperous? Central Avenue to bring increased traffic; close proximity to other neighborhoods: Fells Point, Little Italy
What is the retail footprint? Jonestown has a fairly small retail footprint, with room to grow
Does the education system prepare students for the mainstream economy? For trade school? For college? The education system scored fairly well according to Niche.com
Are there extracurricular activities? Jonestown is in need of green spaces, sports leagues, and common gathering areas for activities
What is the minority business profile, and are there innovative business models in the community? Jonestown has a large Jewish community, African-American owned coffee shops and businesses
Income and wealth inequalities? Jonestown is a fringe neighborhood and there are income inequalities between JTown and the neighboring areas, and some streets in Jonestown feel more kept up than others, more traveled and invested in
Are people aware of any inequalities? Feelings about this? Issue or people resigned to it? Generally, people feel hopeful about Jonestown's economic future
Are any efforts being made to bridge the gap/decrease income and wealth inequality? Citylab initiatives, Communities United, and McKim Community Center
Housing inequality: Perkins homes, steps being taken to recreate this space with mixed income housing/row homes
Do people who own businesses in the community live in the community? Yes, for the most part. This bodes well for the future of the community, as revitalization will depend on continued investment.
Economic availabilities for startups? Loans available for startups? Yes-Jonestown is an Enterprise Zone, offering economic benefits to investors
Grants or economic assistance for women or minority-owned businesses? Can apply for Small, Minority and Women-Owned Business Account - Video Lottery Terminal Fund (VLT)
Cooperative business models that allow people without capital to start businesses? "Although there are many state and local funding programs that could potentially fill the gap, according to the report, they are fragmented, hard to navigate and do not provide much capital."