Community Engagement
Community members are left out of tax incentive decisions that affect them. These decisions impact housing, business, and transportation in their neighborhoods. Tax incentives often lead to displacement and gentrification. When developers do speak with residents, it usually is a “check box” rather than an opportunity for residents to give meaningful input or decisions.
Equity Scorecards have been used by communities in several cities. We are inspired by the Alliance in Minneapolis St Paul.
Their Equitable Development Principles and Scorecard is based on regional equity, elevating wisdom of communities, grassroots organizing, and shared leadership and accountability. The Scorecard provides a tool for community organizing and engagement. We think that our community’s use of a scorecard like this would be a powerful way to communicate to elected officials and well-connected developers.