New Data Shows Neighborhood Investment Works

New research shows that investing in struggling neighborhoods has a real, positive economic impact.  The report from the Local Initiatives Support Corporation looked at 63 neighborhoods that it has been investing in for more than a decade, including Indianapolis' southeast side. 

The findings show that communities the nonprofit has been supporting grew employment and income by 9 percent over neighborhoods that have not been involved in LISC programs.  Bill Taft, LISC's Indianapolis executive director says that's significant.

"What it's showing is that not only are you seeing into the physical neighborhood, but you're also seeing people's lives changing because of it," says Taft.  

The report highlights the Fountain Square neighborhood as a success story.  LISC has supported commercial and artistic renewal in the community with loans and grants since the late '90s.  Now the area is an established cultural district where that has seen a boost in the economy, residential growth, improved safety and education. 

Over the past 20 years, LISC Indianapolis has directly invested $219 million in programs and projects across the city.

The data represents a move to provide more evidence-based research that diverse revitalization efforts work.  The full report can be found online at www.lisc.org.