SHARED PROSPERITY
The final pillar to creating a sustainable urban village is a commercial sector that contributes to a robust economy. Eckington is known for being an industrial neighborhood with many large brand name businesses as well as many smaller entrepreneurial businesses. Unfortunately, while larger companies thrive, the turnover of smaller businesses has been high due to poorly managed business models.
Within Eckington, the Center for Empowerment and Employment Training (C.E.E.T.) is an office dedicated to preparing unemployed or low income workers to prosper and compete in the workforce. This effort to provide education for economic competence is a rare commodity that further proves Eckington's commitment to social investment.
In addition to spinning the economic wheel, it's also important to make sure those without a home have shelter. Within Eckington, the Emery House was created as a "Coalition for the Homeless". The Emery Work Bed Program (EWBP) provides shelter to homeless people who are employed as least 20 hours per week or enrolled in a job training program. The goal is to assist these people in sustaining employment and eventually moving into permanent housing.
A future major development, the NOMA Green project, is planned for the southeast Eckington area next to the MBT. By summer of 2018, this two acre site will feature a public park, and very large expansion of mixed use residential, retail, and office space. Over 1,000 new apartments are expected to be available upon completion.
Who are some of the large companies?
Along with occupants such as FedEx, U-Haul, and CubeSmart, Eckington also happens to be the home of the District of Columbia office of Sirius XM Radio. Another major company is the Fort Myer Construction which resides along the corridor between the MBT and the railway tracks.