Local Business Leader Launches Initiative to Revitalize Regional Economy with Community Investment
A new community investment group launched by Chicago business leader Seretha McField-Gibbs aims to boost economic development across the region through strategic partnerships and collaborations. The nonprofit organization, Bear Down Community Investment Group, has set its sights on Illinois' Southland region, where it plans to expand housing options, construct mixed-use developments, strengthen local businesses, and build a skilled workforce.
McField-Gibbs, who is also the founder of business consulting firm McField & Associates, Inc., sees her new venture as an opportunity to fill a gap in the community development landscape. "We're coming in and partnering with municipalities, with community stakeholders, and organizations that are already in existence," she explained. "Our role is to serve as a missing link, facilitating partnerships that will stimulate economic growth."
One of Bear Down's initial focuses will be on addressing the region's housing crisis. The nonprofit plans to acquire and develop affordable housing units, while also constructing mixed-use developments that combine residential, commercial, and recreational spaces.
However, the group's efforts go beyond simply providing more affordable housing options. McField-Gibbs emphasized the need for a skilled workforce in the construction industry, citing a growing labor crisis across the Midwest. To address this issue, Bear Down will partner with businesses and organizations to launch registered apprenticeship programs that provide training in areas such as carpentry, plumbing, and welding.
The initiative has already garnered support from local officials and business leaders. Christine Haley, Illinois Chief Homelessness Officer, praised Bear Down's commitment to expanding housing development across the Southland region. "Building more housing is key to stabilizing the relentless growth of the price of life," she said.
Calvin Jordan, supervisor of Rich Township, echoed Haley's sentiments, stating that a nonprofit like Bear Down is essential for communities seeking economic growth and workforce development. "This collaboration adds tremendous value, accelerates and amplifies our township's economic development initiatives," he said.
As Bear Down looks to scale its operations nationwide, McField-Gibbs remains committed to her core mission of fostering community partnerships and driving regional economic development. With a self-funded investment backing the organization, Bear Down is poised to become a major player in the non-profit sector, with far-reaching implications for communities across Illinois and beyond.
A new community investment group launched by Chicago business leader Seretha McField-Gibbs aims to boost economic development across the region through strategic partnerships and collaborations. The nonprofit organization, Bear Down Community Investment Group, has set its sights on Illinois' Southland region, where it plans to expand housing options, construct mixed-use developments, strengthen local businesses, and build a skilled workforce.
McField-Gibbs, who is also the founder of business consulting firm McField & Associates, Inc., sees her new venture as an opportunity to fill a gap in the community development landscape. "We're coming in and partnering with municipalities, with community stakeholders, and organizations that are already in existence," she explained. "Our role is to serve as a missing link, facilitating partnerships that will stimulate economic growth."
One of Bear Down's initial focuses will be on addressing the region's housing crisis. The nonprofit plans to acquire and develop affordable housing units, while also constructing mixed-use developments that combine residential, commercial, and recreational spaces.
However, the group's efforts go beyond simply providing more affordable housing options. McField-Gibbs emphasized the need for a skilled workforce in the construction industry, citing a growing labor crisis across the Midwest. To address this issue, Bear Down will partner with businesses and organizations to launch registered apprenticeship programs that provide training in areas such as carpentry, plumbing, and welding.
The initiative has already garnered support from local officials and business leaders. Christine Haley, Illinois Chief Homelessness Officer, praised Bear Down's commitment to expanding housing development across the Southland region. "Building more housing is key to stabilizing the relentless growth of the price of life," she said.
Calvin Jordan, supervisor of Rich Township, echoed Haley's sentiments, stating that a nonprofit like Bear Down is essential for communities seeking economic growth and workforce development. "This collaboration adds tremendous value, accelerates and amplifies our township's economic development initiatives," he said.
As Bear Down looks to scale its operations nationwide, McField-Gibbs remains committed to her core mission of fostering community partnerships and driving regional economic development. With a self-funded investment backing the organization, Bear Down is poised to become a major player in the non-profit sector, with far-reaching implications for communities across Illinois and beyond.
i'm so hyped about seretha mcfield-gibbs new initiative!!! she's literally changing lives by creating more affordable housing options & supporting local businesses 
i love how she's partnering with community stakeholders & organizations to make a real difference in the southland region 
her registered apprenticeship programs for construction workers are genius 
i mean, who doesn't want to learn new skills & get paid while doing it? 
and it's so cool that local officials like christine haley & calvin jordan are on board with this amazing project 
let's keep supporting seretha & bear down community investment group 
think its dope that they're focusin on creatin affordable housing units and registered apprenticeship programs 
idk how many ppl struggle wit affordable housing here in chicago, but i'm all 4 it 
also the fact that they wanna build mixed-use developments is a great way to stimulate economic growth 
cant wait 2 see how this initiative turns out 
! The fact that she's bringing together community stakeholders, municipalities, and organizations to create affordable housing units and mixed-use developments is exactly what our region needs #CommunityFirst 
! With McField-Gibbs at the helm, I'm optimistic that this initiative will make a real difference #EconomicGrowth 
! This initiative by Seretha McField-Gibbs is like, totally necessary 
. We need more people stepping up to support local businesses and create jobs, especially in the construction industry 
. Those registered apprenticeship programs are gonna be a game-changer 
. I'm also loving the idea of mixed-use developments that combine residential, commercial, and recreational spaces - it's all about community living, you know? 
Who knows what kind of impact they'll have nationwide? 
! And I love how she's partnering with local officials and business leaders - it's all about community, fam 
meanwhile, someone's gotta foot the bill for all these fancy community partnerships 
. Just think about it, Seretha McField-Gibbs is just another rich chick trying to make a name for herself by throwing around "community investment" buzzwords and getting some tax breaks. And what's with the registered apprenticeship programs? Just a way to get more people in debt for fancy training that doesn't guarantee anything 
. And the fact that local officials are already on board is, like, the icing on the cake 
. I'm literally counting down the days until Bear Down starts making waves across Illinois and beyond 
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. And let's not forget about the skilled workforce initiative – it's a game-changer for communities struggling with labor shortages 
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. How are they planning to measure their success? What kind of community engagement will they have in place? Those are questions that need to be answered as they scale their operations nationwide 
PLUS, LAUNCHING REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS IS SUCH A GREAT WAY TO GET PEOPLE TRAINED FOR IN-D Demand JOBS. THE FACT THAT LOCAL OFFICIALS AND BUSINESS LEADERS ARE ALL IN ON THIS VENTURE JUST MAKES ME EVEN MORE EXCITED TO SEE WHERE BEAR DOWN GOES FROM HERE! 
