Marketplace Innovation Center (MIC)
Marketplace Innovation Center (MIC) is an ecosystem of Christ-centered businesses, nonprofit organizations, consultants, and churches committed to community revitalization and transformation through economic development. MIC provides a clearinghouse of mission-aligned consultants, technical assistance providers, developers, and operators who serve as resources for churches, nonprofits, and ministries seeking to mobilize support teams for their efforts. MIC aims to assist our partnering institutions in establishing GREAT NEIGHBORHOODS (communities thriving and flourishing economically, socially, educationally, and spiritually). Whether it's developing community facilities or residential housing, launching business incubators, and/or creating social enterprises seeking to provide job opportunities, MIC members and partners assist churches and nonprofits in creating strategic plans, identifying resources and funding to support projects, and managing initiatives.
To accomplish its objectives, MIC uses the G.R.E.A.T. values and model system:
A GREAT Neighborhood is:
Grassroots: By and with the community.
Restorative: Seeking wholeness in new life.
Economic: Supporting entrepreneurs and enterprises.
Accessible: Inclusive of all residents.
Together: In mutual support and neighborliness.
Members of the MIC provide project management, real estate development and construction services for the development of GREAT Neighborhoods. Activities include project conception, planning, team coordination, and overall process management. NDM Development staff provide technical support to local sponsors and core resident group to enable them to lead the overall development process and work with the project team.
Members of the MIC provide financial planning services for the development of GREAT Neighborhoods. Activities include project business enterprise planning, capital budgeting, real estate financial planning, coordination of permanent and construction and business financing and securing of grant and government financing incentives. It also seeks to create and manage debt and equity investment funds through community development finance that will be used to raise capital for GREAT Neighborhoods. Members of the MIC work with all members of the project team to secure and manage GREAT Neighborhood project funding from national and local lenders and investors.
Members of the MIC provide business operation and facilities management services during the operations of GREAT Neighborhoods. Activities include franchise operations, entrepreneur training, site and property management, building and ground maintenance, equipment, utilities and amenities upkeep, IT and HR functions, marketing and leasing functions. Members of the MIC work with the sponsor and core resident group owners of GREAT Neighborhood facilities to steward and manage the physical assets and property of the GREAT Neighborhood.