Organizational Capacity

• In 2009 AEDA transitioned from an all-volunteer organization a fully funded organization and hired it’s first executive director.
• In 2009, AEDA completed a 5-year strategic work plan that will guide the organization’s growth and its mission to serve Asian American communities, small businesses, and micro-entrepreneurs.

Engagement and Organizing

• AEDA provided culturally appropriate outreach to more than 150 Asian businesses to prepare them for light rail transit.
• AEDA organized and empowered Asian entrepreneurs and businesses to successfully:
  • Engage and collaborate with community partners to address common issues
  • Advocate on their own behalf
  • Develop long-term planning and solutions for sustainable economic development
  • Develop business leadership capacity
• AEDA collaborated with key organizations in Saint Paul and Minneapolis to address community development issues

Advocacy

AEDA’s advocacy has resulted in:

• Shaping the Central Corridor Light Rail Transit project
• Influencing Federal transit development priorities and policies
• Prioritizing environmental justice issues of transit projects in communities of color
• Creation of LRT impact mitigation programs for small businesses

Education & Training

AEDA provided business workshops in multiple languages that reached more than 150 Asian businesses and micro-entrepreneurs

Community-Drive Planning

• AEDA initiated long-term planning to reposition and strengthen the Asian American community on University Avenue.
• Began a community process for a comprehensive development work plan for the Western Station Area.