The Southeast Chicago Development Commission (SEDCOM) is a community economic development corporation, established by business and community leaders in 1981. SEDCOM's mission is to create economic opportunity in this far southeast Chicago area, which was devastated by the contraction of the steel industry and recession the late 1970's and 1980's.

Some of the results of SEDCOM's efforts include:

Placing more than 500 individuals in jobs with local and metropolitan based firms, primarily with manufacturers.

Moderating the strategic planning process in the Calumet and Burnside Industrial Corridors which helped Chicago's successful effort to attract substantial industrial investment.

Identifying and facilitating the use of manufacturing by-products by local businesses.

Creating real estate development and shopping center-like management strategies to revitalize neighborhood business districts and attract additional retailers. A special service area taxing district provides funding for daily maintenance, and development and planning services in the Commercial Avenue business district.

Purchasing and rehabilitating two deteriorated mixed-use buildings on Commercial Avenue using a wide range of public and private financing. Both buildings have received the Chicago Association of Realtors Good Neighbor Award.

Organizing over 75% of eligible property owners on Commercial Avenue to renovate their storefronts using private funds, the City's Rebate Program, and Special Service Area funds.

Working with residents to develop a Quality of Life Plan that provides a blueprint for enabling residents to achieve the maximum benefit from the redevelopment of the USX South Works site. Over $1,105,000, including $100,000 from Nationwide Insurance for residential energy efficiency and improvements, has been leveraged.

Publishing and distributing a 20 times a year newspaper, The Southeast Chicago Observer, to 20,000 households.