The GDC Commercial Development Team actively seeks, encourages and assists business locating to the area/Empowerment Zone.

Services provided include:

• Micro enterprise assistance
• Business educational seminars
• Business planning assistance
• real estate space
• Liaison with governmental programs (SBA, MBDC, M-CAP, etc.);
• code violation assistance;
• interior and exterior renovation (Storefront Loan and Rebate Programs);
• comprehensive commercial planning; and
• Renovation, management and technical assistance.

GDC has achieved the following accomplishments in commercial and economic development :

• Continued to support and manage the $850,000 in interior and exterior renovations to the East Town Eagle Supermarket at 656 East 105th Street. This renovation will double the size of the store and employ more workers. The owner has worked closely with Glenville Development Corporation Business Revitalization District in designing and obtaining financing of renovated space. Once the new store is completed, it will compliment the existing commercial development at the intersection of East 105th Street and St. Clair Avenue.
  
  
• Facilitated "Business Tuesday's in Glenville" for new and existing entrepreneurs from the Empowerment Zone and Greater Cleveland area. The first 6-week session focused on general business topics through invited speakers from a variety of professional fields. The second 6-week session focused on women's business issues through invited speakers as well. Lastly, the third 6-week session concentrated on "business plan basics" and was offered at $50 per business. Created (3) 2003 COSE Business Plan Challenge entrants. Helped produce loan commitments from local banks for new and existing businesses upon completion of their business plan and GDC class/counseling. Technical assistance was provided individually to entrepreneurs and more than 50 Glenville and/or Empowerment Zone residents/businesses were referred to the S.E.E.D. Program. Over 17 Glenville residents completed the first round of the S.E.E.D. Program in 2003.
  
  
• Provided technical assistance (design approval, communication with the City of Cleveland and architectural services) to $150,000 renovations made to the Glenville Supermarket at 1250 East 105th Street.
  
  
• Assisted Mama Ann's Daycare at 10721 St. Clair Avenue in design assistance for a new playground and additional interior investment over $25,000.
  
  
• Coordinated and implemented new management in T's Aquarium at 10520 Superior Avenue to rejuvenate business structure and practices.
  
  
• Provided marketing assistance to the East Side Market at 625 East 105th Street to attract potential vendors for the the new outdoor fruit and vegetable market. Worked in coordination with the City of Cleveland Division of Architecture and Economic Development for the completion of renovations and improvements to the interior and exterior of the Market.
  
  
• Final design plans nearly complete for the proposed new 10,000 square foot Gold Coast Deli at 1088 East 105th Street. Provided assistance with design, zoning and permits through the City of Cleveland.
  
  
• Launched the Downtown Glenville Program, a comprehensive business district revitalization initiative for the East 105th Street retail corridor. The program's philosophy is based on advocating rehabilitation of the historic character of the East 105th Street retail corridor while pursuing traditional development strategies-such as marketing, business recruitment and retention, real estate development, market analysis and public improvements through art and culture.