Inner-city communities are not often seen as brimming with potential for private business investors.  But Social Compact, a Washington, DC-based coalition of business leaders, seeks to challenge just that misperception.  Social Compact has a long history of using compelling alternative data to describe underserved communities in ways which give businesses a more accurate picture of neighborhood economic potential.

Though they have used some basic maps in their analysis, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are a relatively new technology to the organization.  Azavea recently audited a Social Compact project and made recommendations for how the organization might enhance its GIS and mapping capabilities. In addition, Azavea developed a series of maps to support Social Compact in their assistance in the promotion of Steelyard Commons, a retail development project in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, whose first store, a Home Depot, opened its doors on February 1, 2007.