News / Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC – The Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) has purchased a new office space at 1401 Columbia Road NW to serve as its permanent headquarters. The building, formerly owned by the Latin American Youth Center (LAYC), will be renovated over the next six months. DC-based LEDC staff and leadership will move into their new offices in June.

The purchase of this space is historic, given that LEDC has not owned property since selling a building on Georgia Avenue in 2014. The organization is eager to move closer to its original home in Adams Morgan that LEDC occupied for over twenty years. LEDC has been operating out of the WeWork co-working space in Shaw for almost 5 years since moving out of Adams Morgan. While grateful for the opportunities that WeWork has afforded the organization; LEDC is thrilled at the prospect of owning their headquarters and customizing its design to fit the needs of their clients and staff.

LEDC will join a neighborhood of Latino-facing organizations by moving to Columbia Road: sharing the corridor with organizations including LAYC, CentroNia, and CARECEN. LEDC looks forward to contributing to a hub for Latino and other underserved residents of DC that supports their success in the District. LEDC's Executive Director/CEO, Marla Bilonick remarked: "LEDC's purchase of a building in Columbia Heights sends an important signal to our clients and stakeholders that we are committed to and grounded in the community for the long-term. We have served thousands of DC residents over the past 28 years and are certain that our best and most important work is ahead of us. What a great way to start 2019!"

LEDC thanks Arnold & Porter, BB&T Bank, LAYC, The Menkiti Group, and Metropolis Capital Advisors for their support in making this dream a reality.

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About Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC)

Working families deserve to be financially secure. The Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) equips Latinos and other underserved communities in the DC and Baltimore Metro areas with the skills and financial tools to create a better future for their families and communities. Participants in our programs learn how to buy and stay in their homes, join with their neighbors to keep their rental housing affordable, and start or expand small businesses.