Miji Park leads The Idea Village in developing a linked network of “Business Innovation Centers” to revitalize key commercial corridors in New Orleans. The Business Innovation Centers provide access to retail space, technology, technical assistance, financial services, and other essential resources as a catalyst to fuel innovation and private investment throughout the community.  For additional information, please contact: miji@ideavillage.org.

The Idea Village @ N. Galvez

The Idea Village, New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity (NOAHH) and Regions Bank formed an innovative partnership designed to spur sustainable economic development in the Upper 9th Ward.  There will be a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the Idea Village @ N. Galvez Business Innovation Center, expected to open early 2008. Regions Bank is the lead sponsor of this initiative, joined with support from MercyCorps and Tulane University. 

The Idea Village is developing linked community “Business Innovation Centers” to revitalize key commercial corridors in New Orleans, with the pilot center under development in the Upper 9th Ward where NOAHH has its highest concentration of affordable housing. The Idea Village Business Innovation Center will be an outpost that provides access to retail space, technology, technical assistance, financial services, and other essential resources necessary to economic recovery and development.

The Business Innovation Center is designed to be a catalyst for a robust commercial corridor that will fuel private investment throughout the neighborhood, giving residents a sense of confidence, ownership, and participation in their community. The model of addressing business and residential recovery in tandem has national and international ramifications for communities affected by future disasters or urban blight. 

Additionally, The Idea Village aims to connect the local Business Innovation Centers and participating businesses to its local and national network of entrepreneurs, business leaders, and service providers.  These linkages will facilitate the flow of traditional, social, human and other capital within the network as a whole, further bolstering the local entrepreneurs.