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New Head of South Side Nonprofit Wants to Help Englewood Businesses Grow

 Eric McLoyd was recently hired as the first executive director for the Greater Englewood Development Corporation, which was founded October 2011.
Eric McLoyd was recently hired as the first executive director for the Greater Englewood Development Corporation, which was founded October 2011.
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Sonya Harper

ENGLEWOOD — The Greater Englewood Community Development Corporation's new executive director wants to bring more businesses to the South Side community — and better promote the ones that are there.

Eric McLoyd, who was the board president of the 18-month-old nonprofit, had served as an unpaid chief of the group, but was recently made full-time. He said he's excited to get started on a host of new initiatives, including producing a report identifying what McLoyd described as "all the economic engines in Englewood like St. Bernard Hospital."

According to McLoyd — who has worked as a real estate lobbyist, senior real estate paralegal and  a small business consultant — there is no current directory that would inform people about economic gems in the neighborhood.

"People need to know that St. Bernard is more than a hospital. It also created more economic development with its Bernard Place housing complex," said McLoyd, who is originally from Washington D.C., but now lives in Rogers Park. "Kennedy-King College is another engine that produces economic development for Englewood."

As part of the organization's Invest In Englewood campaign, long-term plans include searching for ways to help Englewood businesses grow and attracting more businesses to the area. For now, McLoyd said the group plans on concentrating on rebranding, rebuilding and revitalizing businesses in the Greater Englewood area, which is bordered by of 63rd, 71st and Halsted streets and the Dan Ryan Expressway.

Replacing McLoyd as board president is Englewood resident Cherice Price, who said she is confident the GECDC hired the right person as executive director.

“McLoyd’s education and professional background united with his sincere desire to transform the community makes him a great fit to lead the organization,” said Price.