Enterprise Center

Another priority of the residents of the CCRA was the creation and support of Non- profit entities within the District. The CCRA was the inspiration for the formation of the Central Economic Development Center, Inc. (CEDC). The mission of the CEDC is to combat community deterioration and prevent the causes thereof by assisting local residents develop and grow small businesses; by providing training and workshops; by developing an environment where businesses will want to locate within the community; and where community residents will have the resources needed to ensure an improved quality of life. The center will focus on addressing development needs in the Central Redevelopment Area, the City of Bradenton, Manatee County, and the surrounding areas as a whole. This will be a one stop shop for economic development in Manatee County.

The CCRA and CCRA plan to co-locate at an Enterprise Center that will be designed to provide housing assistance, and business and vocational skill development. The newly constructed facility will also include office space and training rooms for the Center for Financial Independence. This organization is committed to educating residents on financial management, credit, and home ownership. The center hopes to house a light manufacturing vocational skills training center through a partnership with Tropicana. The City of Bradenton Housing and Community Development offices will also have space for intake processes for housing and community development programs at the new facility. They will offer a variety of housing assistance and community development programs. These programs include: Section 8 Housing, the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program, and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. These programs help meet the needs of the city’s low to moderate income residents through rental assistance, first-time homebuyers down payment assistance, and housing rehabilitation assistance. In addition to these activities the department also engages in economic development activities, enterprise zone (EZ) activities, and code enforcement within the CDBG program.