Chamber's BCLC Receives Department of Commerce Grant to Examine Business Role in Community and Economic Development

WASHINGTON, D.C.-The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC) today announced that it received a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) to conduct the first-ever nationwide survey aimed at analyzing where corporate donations are targeted and how they fit into local economic and community development. As part of this research, BCLC will also hold forums with local experts in eight U.S. regions.

"American companies want their local communities to succeed so that municipal programs and local economic development can flourish," said BCLC Executive Director Stephen Jordan. "We're thrilled about this opportunity to work with EDA to identify business practices that are fostering economic growth and competitiveness."

The research, part of BCLC's Corporate Community Investment (CCI) program, builds on BCLC findings that 60% of all corporate donations are directed to local community development.

BCLC's first four forums will take place in Houston, Texas; Newark, N.J.; San Jose, Calif.; and St. Louis, Mo. The remainder of the forums will be announced in January 2008. BCLC will create an online network to connect the findings from the forums and advance a national initiative to better incorporate corporate citizenship resources into local development strategies.

Several companies, including Accenture, Allstate Insurance Company, Capital One, CVS Caremark, Fannie Mae, JPMorgan Chase, PNC Financial Services Group, and Verizon Communications, have joined BCLC's Corporate Community Investment program and will be involved in the forums.

BCLC is a 501(c)(3) affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and is the Chamber's voice and resource for the social and philanthropic interests of the business community. The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

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