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HARLEM IS ALIVE AGAIN!
History of the Harlem Commonwealth Council, Inc.

DOLLARS AND SENSE
Harlem Commonwealth Council, Inc., a community development corporation, which was established in 1967 with a grant from the Office of Economic Opportunity, since reorganized and renamed the Community Services Administration.

When the Harlem Commonwealth Council opened its doors 11 years ago, it had assets of less than $50,000. Today, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, the Commonwealth Holding Corporation, the mini-conglomerate operates 14 profit-making companies with assets of more than $28 million, making it one of the top 20 Black-owned companies in the country.

"It has been a long climb," admits James H. Dowdy, the 46 year-old President of the Council. "It has not been easy. We made some mistakes, but the organization is doing quite well and we look forward to continued growth." Unlike a decade ago, his optimism seems warranted.

During the past decade HCC has been able to acquire a number of real estate properties on 125th Street including a $7 million office building at 215 West 125th Street of which it is now the sole owner. Originally constructed under a joint venture agreement with a white Westchester realty firm, Presidential Realty Corp., HCC bought out Presidential's interest. The Council also purchased the Shultz Company, a manufacturer of supermarket equipment and fixtures and one of the largest single employers in Harlem. The purchase was recommended to the Council by Citibank with whom it has had a long association. The Council is also the owner of the only wholesale and retail lumber company in Harlem, Ben's Lumber Yard. Two years ago, it purchased Washburn Wire Products, maker of specialty steel products and the largest manufacturing plant in Manhattan. The steel fabricating company was about to close its doors when HCC entered into negotiations to purchase it. At its peak the three-block long factory, located on the Harlem River between 116th Street and 119th Street, employed more than 1,000 persons. When it was purchased the company employed a skeleton crew of 31. Today, it employs more than 200 people and operates two shifts.

Only recently, HCC entered into a joint venture agreement with a major shopping center developer to build Harlem's first shopping mall. The project, sponsored by HUDC, will be constructed on 125th Street at a cost of about $20 million.

The Council is also a strong supporter of community organizations and institutions. Several years ago when Freedom National Bank was experiencing financial difficulties and threatened to close, HCC was one of its primary supporters, investing $250,000 of its own funds and encouraging others to do so. The bank has since made a remarkable recovery.

The proposed Third World International Trade Center to be constructed in Harlem by HUDC is the latest and perhaps the most positive sign that, at long last, our community is getting to where it should be going. 

For those of us at the Harlem Commonwealth Council, Inc. who have labored for more than a decade to provide the Harlem community and its residents with a measure of economic self-sufficiency as well as a wholesome living environment, the prospect of Harlem becoming a focal point of international commerce and activity is, to say the least, most encouraging.

Thus, from the beginning, we have been an integral part of HUDC's redevelopment plans for the area. It has been a rewarding and constructive association. And while it is true that we have our projects and they have theirs, the effort has been a joint one.

Today, the Commonwealth Holding Corporation employs more than 450 persons and generates millions of dollars in salaries and tax revenue. It is a measure of just how far the Council has come. It also marks a significant step on the road to rebuilding Harlem. ■

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[[caption]] James Dowdy, President of Harlem Commonwealth Council, tells visitors to HCC Headquarters of plans for shopping mall. Among the visitors is HUDC Board Member Hilda Stokely, center. [[/caption]]

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