CUED

Challenge and Opportunity: The Economic Development of Chicago's Chinatown

1. Chinatown is in better shape than before, and current community leaders are more politically and socially astute than previously. It is both necessary and feasible for the community to become more involved in mainstream business and social activities.
2. Diversifying Chinatown's business may be the most important strategy in a long term plan. The first step should include the systematic collection and analysis of market trends and sales strategies, locally and internationally. Universities and consulting firms can provide useful services for future business development.
3. In the short run it is urgent to improve marketing and public relations, provide better customer service, and implement better business management practices. The Chamber of Commerce can play an important role in offering advice and providing consulting services for local businesses.
4. Better coordination among existing community organizations and a wider variety of community service programs can have an impact. Community organizations can offer language and job training programs for local residents, as well as business improvement programs for small and medium-sized businesses. Although there may be barriers to unifying all community organizations, a business-oriented program may be a good starting point.
5. In addition to business-oriented programs, social service programs are important as well. Job training and language programs for residents were identified as needs and might most directly address unemployment problems.
6. Although the appearance of Chinatown has been improved significantly in the last ten years, physical improvements, including open space, street sanitation, taxi service and security should still be on the community's agenda. An upgraded physical environment will impress visitors and bring customers.
7. Additional cultural and recreational activities can be used to market Chinatown. Citywide projects such as the McCormick Place expansion project can be used to attract more tourists to Chinatown.

According to a successful business leader in the community, "we have great resources within the community and, if brought together, could do great things and could result in Chicago's Chinatown becoming the model of community economic success."

This website is maintained by Cedric Williams, Manager System Services,
UIC-Center for Urban Economic Development