Viability of Community Development Corporations Questioned

By Susan Wilson

Kansas City, MO – The Black Economic Union has been struggling to keep its doors open for the past few years. On Thursday, Kansas City, Missouri's city council passed an ordinance, sponsored by council member Melba Curls, to provide funds to keep the organization's office running for the next year.

The Black Economic Union, also known as the BEU, is not alone. Other urban core Community Development Corporations such as the 12th Street Heritage and Community Development Corporation of Kansas City have encountered a variety of problems in recent years.

Why are these organizations designed to revitalize the central city having so much difficulty? KCUR's Susan Wilson asked this question of Kansas City Call staff writer Eric Wesson. Eric is writing an ongoing series about the status of local community development corporations.

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