In the past decade, Elizabeth has embraced an economic revitalization program like none other, one that is transforming its once abandoned waterfront into a shopping and business development mecca. This program is reaching into every city neighborhood to improve the quality of life for all of Elizabeth’s residents and visitors (Elizabeth New Jersey Economic Profile Magazine, 1999). EDC is so vital to the revitalization of neighborhoods and the renovation of business districts that the City of Elizabeth describes EDC as its economic arm and credits much of its success in new businesses development to EDC. Today, EDC is known as Elizabeth’s “one-stop shop for economic development offering a full range of low cost, low interest financial assistance programs for businesses in or relocating to the city of Elizabeth” (Elizabeth Economic Profile Magazine, 1999).