The goal of West End CDE is to guide renewable energy and economic development investments that benefit the communities of Louisville, Kentucky. The organization was founded in 2017 by a group of over 250 community economic development professionals. West End CDE provides financial and technical support services focused on development and investments that uplift low-income communities. A major focus of West End CDE is around projects that address environmental and climate justice crises in Louisville, such as environmental hazards caused by industrial activity, food deserts, and sewer system failures that are exacerbated by increasingly heavy rains and flooding. As a result, the organization advises and manages projects that range from affordable housing to hazards remediation to disaster recovery.
Waterfront Park Play Port Preview Tour
West End CDE is a small organization led by Timothy Cox and Felicia Jamison, yet they manage or advise over 50 projects for community economic development. As of 2024, the organization has guided projects to improve the Water Conservation District, a housing and workforce development program for unhoused youth, the development of grocery stores in food deserts, and disaster recovery using AI drones and mobile medical facilities. West End CDE is primarily focused on driving investments in communities designated as Opportunity Zones, where investors can receive special tax benefits for making investments in communities that are economically distressed. The organization facilitates these investments according to four core values: investing in low-income communities, transparency to their investors and lenders, adaptability to changes in the market, and comprehensive experience to carry out projects successfully.
Timothy Cox speaking at an environmental conference in Atlanta.