Best Economic Development Corporation

Most economic development projects benefit those who least need it: the rich. But ECI Development Corporation puts its money where it's needed most: into programs that help KCK's working poor have a fighting chance at success. In recent years, the organization has started a job-training program that teaches valuable computer skills, a home-buyer education program that helps people strive for the American dream without being taken by greedy slumlords and predatory lenders, a mortgage plan for people whose credit reports make it difficult to secure good-quality loans and a no-interest car-purchase program that helps people avoid buying lemons at high interest rates. ECI also helps neighborhoods rebuild by opening office parks and by building housing developments that are affordable to a diverse range of wage-earners. And since ECI is a subsidiary of the highly successful community service center El Centro, ECI can strengthen its initiatives with a vast resource of social services. Now that's the way to do eco devo!