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Community Investment
Program

 COMMUNITY INVESTMENT

Program Overview

The Community Investment Program provides a series of investment vehicles, including an innovative “ESG” investment structure for the ONE Central Civic Build, currently very attractive on Wall Street, which provides a significant and secure source of funding that will support the long-term community investment objectives of the EquityWORKS program.

The New House
Meeting

Tool Box

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"ESG" Investment Strategy

ONE Central project financing payments will be diverted away from Wall Street, to be invested for new development in the community, as determined by a community advisory group. 

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The SMART Programs

Bridges the interests of employer/employee and residents, with a focus on building long-term equity in the south and west side communities, supported by capital raised through ESG investors and other resources

  • LiveSMART - ONE Central's Commitment to Build South and West Side Affordable Rental Housing Units Connected to Transit (TOD)  

  • InvestSMART - Loan Guaranty Program to Support Home Ownership by Providing the Credit Back-Stop for First Time Home Buyers

  • RideSMART - Transit Subsidy Program to Facilitate South and West Side CTA and Metra Ridership

  • ThinkSMART - Employer Supported Program Among ONE Central Tenants to Fund Education   

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Equity Participation Program

Provides M/W/DBEs with “micro” investment opportunities in qualifying development projects by enabling them to reinvest earnings in alignment with institutional-caliber investors.

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EquityWORKS Business Equity District (BED)

Finances and supports desirable educational programs and outcomes throughout the South and West Sides by leveraging the resources of businesses located at ONE Central or another Illinois Growth Corridor project sites that opt into the program.

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Investment Advisory Services

Provides investment advisory services to those seeking South and West Side economic development and investment opportunities.

Graduation Ceremony

COMMUNITY INVESTMENT

Outcomes

$400 Million of Private Equity to Support over $1 Billion in Investment Across the South and West Sides of Chicago (The SMART Programs)

  • Build 5,000+ Affordable Rental Housing Units on Chicago’s South Side (LiveSMART)

  • Provide Home Equity Support on 1,000 to 2,500 Affordable Owner-Occupied Housing Units (InvestSMART)

  • Target of $5 Million in Funds to Support RideSMART (employee / student / trainee transit subsidy)

  • Target of $5 Million in Funds to Support ThinkSMART (Scholarship) Programs

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