About

On August 4, 2005, the CCRA ceremoniously launched the Central Economic Development Center (CEDC) is to assist in developing new and existing small businesses. Located at 2002 9th Avenue East (Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.), the CEDC provides a wide range of business support services and follow-up support to small businesses in the Central Redevelopment Area, the City of Bradenton, and Manatee County.

What is the CEDC, Inc.?

The Central Economic Development Center, Inc. (CEDC, Inc.) is a 501-c-3 not for Profit Corporation, organized under the laws of the State of Florida in July 2007.

The CEDC, Inc. was formerly a part of the Central Community Redevelopment Agency (CCRA). While a part of the CCRA, the CEDC was charged with executing the economic development activities of the CCRA including but not limited to a business resource center which includes internet accessible computers, reference manuals, one-on-one counseling of business clients covering an array of topics (start-ups, marketing, management, business financing), providing training and workshops including the Entrepreneurial Boot Camp in conjunction with the Chamber, instituting a financing matrix which allowed clients to access non conventional forms of financing and creating a direct loan program (contract mobilization loan program) to enable center clients to get access to funds which provided mobilization money for governmental contracts.

The CEDC, Inc. was separated from the CCRA to enable it to serve a larger client base - every resident of Manatee County, with a target market of low to moderate individuals. A review of the statistical information regarding the clientele of the CEDC revealed that 75% of the users of the CEDC were not located within the geographic boundaries of the CCRA.

The CEDC, Inc. is a stand alone corporation which is not affiliated, owned or controlled by any other entity except its Governing Board of Directors that are self appointed. No governmental agencies control the selection of the Governing Board nor any activities of the CEDC, Inc.

The CEDC, Inc. is pursuing the following certifications to enable us to access funds to finance the projects in our target market – low to moderate income census tracts of Manatee County: Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI); Community Development Entity (CDE) and in the near future Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO).

CEDC Workshop and Class Schedule and Registration:

Call 744-2362 for schedule and registration.

Helpful Resources

CEDC Services

• Seminars and workshops in conjunction with educational and business partners
  
  
• One-on-one counseling
  
  
• Business assistance
  
  
• Coaching
  
  
• Mentoring
  
  
• Marketing assistance
  
  
• Continuing education
  
  
• Online courses

Financial assistance

• Financing Matrix
• Financial Partners

CEDC Components

• Resource center (library, computers, Internet access)
  
• Training facility (state-of-the-art classroom and multimedia center)

CEDC Prosperity Plan

• Asset building
  
  
• Earned Income Tax Credits
  
  
• Child Tax Credits
  
  
• Tax Preparation
  
  
• Individual development accounts
  
  
• Financial and credit workshops and counseling
  
  
• Credit workshops and counseling

CEDC Home Ownership

• Home ownership workshops and counseling
  
• Credit workshops and counseling
  
• Financial and credit workshops and counseling
  
• First-time home buyer program