George and Arnold are dedicated to their community and they give their employees the opportunity to work in the community too.

All of us need an enivronment in which to exist. When you step back and see how you will grow your business, it probably has much to do with your local economy, the school systems, the tax structure, the traffic patterns and dozens of details that you as a business owner could influence.

Topic for Discussion: How do Arnold and George work on the big picture of their business?

Answer: The two are visionary. Their goal has always been to create work in the old neighborhood that they grew up in. Rather than assume it would stay unattractive, they bought buildings to operate in and over time they are gradually, block by block, making improvements. They are not only improving the real estate. They are also working as volunteers at the local elementary school to provide male role models to children who do not have a father at home.

Topic for Discussion: Why is what they are doing so powerful?

Answer: It changes everything for them and their employees. Diversified Chemicals is not about making money, it is about making lives better. The leadership demonstrates this by the way they spend their time and this serves as a positive force that is not seen but felt. It makes these men attractive. It makes customers happy to do business with them and employees happy to work for them.

Topic for Discussion: How can and should small business owners be involved in community/urban re-vitalization?

Answer: Community development is economic development and economic development is good for small business. Community development creates jobs and services…in other words, new customers for us!

Think of the poorest area in your region. Now imagine homes, shops, restaurants, theaters, and small businesses. That transition is community development. Many of the currently economically depressed areas of our country, particularly in urban areas, were thriving communities in the 40’s and 50’s. Lack of new construction and the flight to the outlying suburbs are the two most common reasons for neighborhood decay.

Often there are many residents of other communities who would love to come home if only the area could be revitalized. The conundrum of community development is nobody wants to live in an area with no grocery stores, restaurants or dry cleaners and nobody wants to open a grocery store where nobody lives. Community development is NOT just razing dilapidated houses and building new homes, it’s increasing the quality of people’s lives. Revitalizing a poor neighborhood without displacing its current residents, termed gentrification, is the biggest challenge and the biggest risk in community development.

How can you get involved? Community development is managed by community development corporations or CDC’s. There are hundreds of them throughout the country. Many are faith-based, almost all are faith-driven. They are understaffed and undercapitalized. You can help by volunteering your time and expertise and by making cash contributions. Getting involved in community development results in more than the social service benefits of volunteering for a good cause, it’s smart business!

You think about it: What is the ecosystem in which you operate? What impact do you have on it now? What action can you take to improve it?