For 29 years, the Local Economic and Employment Development (LEED) Council has implemented a successful model of community development that integrates economic and employment development. We design and implement innovative business development and workforce programs that foster business growth, create jobs, and assist individuals to obtain jobs. Founded in 1982 as an affiliate of a local YMCA, LEED Council became an independent not-for-profit corporation in 2001. As a delegate agency of the Chicago Department of Housing and Economic Development, we serve businesses in the North River and Addison Industrial Corridors, roughly following Clybourn Avenue, the Chicago River and the Kennedy Expressway from Kinzie Street to Berteau Avenue. We identify solutions to problems that impact business operations and offer improved access to city services and programs. LEED Council was instrumental in creating Planned Manufacturing Districts (PMDs) to maintain affordable industrial land to retain Chicagos employment base. We provide skills training for Microsoft Office certifications and for emerging green collar jobs. We offer job placement services through a dedicated website: worklocal.org. Our Green LEEDers crew of qualified workers provides a range of general home and/or building repairs and improvements as well as weatherization services. We are exploring this as a social enterprise to offer energy-wise contracting services to homeowners in targeted areas.