Dorchester Bay Economic Developent Corporation (DBEDC) acts to build a strong, thriving, and diverse community in Boston's Dorchester neighborhoods by working closely with neighborhoods, residents, businesses and partners to: develop & preserve home ownership and rental housing across income levels; create and sustain economic development opportunities for businesses and individuals; build community through organizing, civic engagement, and leadership development. Founded in 1979 by local civic associations to address problems of economic disinvestment, unemployment, and community tensions, DBEDC has continued to develop and preserve home ownership, create and sustain economic development opportunities, and build community through organizing and civic engagement.
 
HFFI Projects & Projected Impacts

• Shared kitchen space at Bornstein & Pearl Food Production Center for rent to start-up food businesses including a frozen dessert wholesaler, a bakery, and a caterer
  • Redevelop a 2-acre site with a 35,650 sq. ft. industrial building
  • Create 6-10 rental spaces of 1,300- to 4,200-square-feet each, equipped with heating, ventilation, scrub-able surfaces, floor drains, grease traps, and separate utility services, plus shared loading docks, operated by CropCircle Kitchen
  • Create 37 full-time jobs
  • Partner with two culinary training programs that serve low-income individuals and ex-offenders facing barriers to employment

Federal HFFI Program
Agency: HHS, Office of Community Services, Community Economic Development Program
Fiscal Year 2012, $788,673