New Neighbors, Empty Stores: The Cost of 'Progress'

Awareness of small business and gentrification issues matters because it highlights how economic development can impact communities in both positive and negative ways. Small businesses often reflect the culture and identity of a neighborhood, providing local jobs and fostering community connections. However, gentrification can displace these businesses and long-time residents as property values and rents rise, often benefiting large corporations instead. Understanding these dynamics is essential to creating more equitable and inclusive cities, where growth doesn’t come at the cost of cultural erasure or economic exclusion.