Community Based Economic Development (CBED) provides resources that supports community-based enterprises with the opportunity to revitalize their communities through collabrative efforts among residents and organizations.
Through its various economic development initiatives, CBED has provided more than $5M to community economic development organizations and assists more than 1000 people annually.

CBED Community Funding 1995-2001 (154 KB PDF)

CBED Programs:

Brownfields

The City and County of Honolulu is partnering with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the State Department of Health and the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, in an effort to stimulate redevelopment of commercial sites that are now underutilized.

Community Economic Development Planning

CBED takes an active role in facilitating the self governance of the economic development planning process for communities. Communities provide the impetus for development of strategic plans for each of their regions. CBED provides assistance with accessing federal funds to help communities fulfill their visions. Also, the program fosters the development of partnerships and collaboration among various public and private sectors to acheive their goals. Some of the federal partnerships are with:

• HUD Empowerment Zone Application
• EPA Sustainable Island-based Development Plan
• EDA Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy

Community Enterprises

Community Enterprises (CA) provides entrepreneures with resources and distribution outlets for products and services which the regional communities desire. The result of such a program is both an economic opportunity for the businesses and a tool for community development. It enhances community assets of social, cultural and historical significance.

• Ethnic Markets
• Community Open Markets
• Kitchen Incubator Program

Empower Oahu - Community Investment Fund

• Provides matching city funds at $7 for every City $1 invested
• Attracts almost $6.5M from other sources
• Creates or retains over 175 jobs
• Creates or expands over 115 businesses
• 1999 HUD Best Practices Award, a national award to the city, and highly coveted as few are given

Hale Kuai Cooperative

The Native Hawaiian cooperative was selected to exhibit the craft of indigeneous people by replacating their Hauula storefront in the National Museum of Ethnology in Osaka, Japan. The display will open new markets for Hale Kuai products, educate others on their culture and provide income opportunities to their members. CBED is pleased to have provided training and funding for Hale Kuai through it's various programs.

Oahu Enterprise Zone

Oahu Enterprise Zone (EZ) is a collabrative program between the City and the State to provide tax and other incentives to foster growth of eligible businesses in designated areas. More than 30 businesses with more than 650 employees in the fields of agriculture, manufactureing and high tech are currently participating in the program. Oahu EZ's include the Ewa-Kapolei area, the Pearl City-Waipahu-Wahiawa area and the North Shore. CBED is in the planning process of expanding the eligible communities.

Community Capacity Building

Community Capacity Building (CCB) helps communities realize their full potential through a variety of educational programs and expertise including short term and long term training, classroom and individualized instruction and free legal assistance to organizations.

• Hawaii Community Based Economic Development Institute
• 204 participants representing 98 organizations
• Institute for Economic Empowerment
• 34 groups attending an 8-month training program
• Technical Assistance to Community Organizations
• Pro bono legal assistance for non-profits
• Funding partnership with the National Economic Development and Law Center.

Microenterprise Development Initiatives

Microenterprise Development Initiatives (MDI) provides low-income entrepreneurs with financial and technical help as they grow and expand their businesses. Assistance includes learning business practices, financal responsibilities and management skills. The goal of the progam is provide entrepreneurs with the tools to develop and grow their new or existing businesses.

• Business Incubators
• Financing
• Technical Assistance
• Industry Specific Training

Microenterprise Development Recipients FY 1997-1998 (110 KB PDF)

Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF) requires the Acrobat Reader file viewer from Adobe Systems, Incorporated. Acrobat and the Acrobat logo are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated.