The Audubon Partnership for Economic Development (AUDUBON) is charged with the mission of increasing opportunities for local residents and small businesses in the communities of Washington Heights and Inwood in New York City. AUDUBON’s highest priority is to help grow and develop the community’s assets and eliminate barriers that hinder its full potential---such as lack of access to small business and consumer loans, the inability to attract capital and obstacles to the employability of disenfranchised residents. AUDUBON’s vision and legacy is to be a model organization of effective partnership-based strategies and practices that advances local economic development on the community with the largest new-arrival Latino and language minority population in the northeast. Our goals are to: Expand and leverage opportunities for investment Encourage the expansion of existing businesses and attract new businesses. Provide a common forum for discussion, planning and implementation of strategies for the development of the community. Develop employment opportunities and the workforce skills of the community. Our operating principles are to: Create services and programs that respond to local needs and opportunities. Foster decision-making through community involvement, partnerships and collaboration. Nurture entrepreneurship and empowerment of residents. Promote accountability and quality in the delivery of services.