The Challenges and Opportunities of Investing in Low-Income Communities

In the last twenty years, the United States has lost over 3 million manufacturing jobs — 56,000 in June 2003 alone. For those workers who still have jobs, many are not being paid enough to live. The value of the current minimum wage, $5.15, is 21% less than it was in 1979. In the context of these economic conditions, the need for bold and innovative action has never been clearer.