2006 Campus-Community Partnerships

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Public Markets as a Tool for Immigrant Entrepreneurship and
Social Integration in East Hollywood

Abstract:

Thai CDC, in partnership with Professor Neal Richman, will examine public markets as self-sustaining incubators for new businesses in the low- and moderate-income community of East Hollywood and as a vital public space for social integration. As an economic development tool, public markets can serve as a low cost way for new immigrant entrepreneurs possessing limited capital to start their first business. Public markets can also serve as ideal public spaces for improving the social dynamics of diverse populations.

Thai CDC believes that public markets are one way of cultivating social ties to build community assets while enhancing the potential for social integration in public spaces and creating a sense of place. By researching the economic development potential and social benefits of public markets, Thai CDC will be able to draw on models that can be replicated in the East Hollywood area. We will conduct surveys and focus groups of existing public markets and their vendors. Recommendations resulting from the data will help us make a case for a public market in East Hollywood. If determined to be a viable project for East Hollywood, a public market will build a community asset while empowering low-to-moderate income individuals through microenterprise.