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Sector pioneer UDI CDC celebrates 40 years of innovation

DURHAM—One of North Carolina’s community economic development pioneers celebrated 40 years of impact in May.
UDI Community Economic Development Corp. in Durham and its president and CEO Ed Stewart helped pave the way for CDCs across the state.
UDI’s 91-acre industrial park, strategically positioned near the region’s technology epicenter, The Research Triangle Park, is one of its most visible symbols. It provides jobs and training to 300 people daily.
“It’s a tremendous satisfaction to have been able to do this for 40 years,” Stewart said. “I got involved with the idea of trying to do some things that would improve the livelihoods of low-income persons…I feel extremely comfortable with the things we have done in addressing that desire.”
Stewart acknowledged that UDI, an Initiative partner since day one, would not be where it is without its supporters.
“The support provided by the Initiative, the federal and state government and the community…has enabled us to accomplish what we have,” said Stewart. “So we have to pay tribute to them.”
The May 7 anniversary celebration, “40 Years and Moving Forward,” highlighted UDI’s rich history of innovation as well as new initiatives under way.
Among them is a joint venture with the Initiative, Carolina Steel Solutions. The company is upfitting its new plant in the UDI park to manufacture an innovative green building solution, Tavacore, that is expected to transform the building industry and make energy-efficient housing even more affordable to build and own.

May 9, 2023 - One of North Carolina’s community economic development pioneers celebrated 40 years of impact in May. 

UDI Community Economic Development Corp. in Durham and its president and CEO Ed Stewart helped pave the way for CDCs across the state.

UDI’s 91-acre industrial park, strategically positioned near the region’s technology epicenter, The Research Triangle Park, is one of its most visible symbols. It provides jobs and training to 300 people daily. 

“It’s a tremendous satisfaction to have been able to do this for 40 years,” Stewart said. “I got involved with the idea of trying to do some things that would improve the livelihoods of low-income persons…I feel extremely comfortable with the things we have done in addressing that desire.”

Stewart acknowledged that UDI, an Initiative partner since day one, would not be where it is without its supporters. 

“The support provided by the Initiative, the federal and state government and the community…has enabled us to accomplish what we have,” said Stewart. “So we have to pay tribute to them.”

The May 7 anniversary celebration, “40 Years and Moving Forward,” highlighted UDI’s rich history of innovation as well as new initiatives under way. 
Among them is a joint venture with the Initiative, Carolina Steel Solutions. The company is upfitting its new plant in the UDI park to manufacture an innovative green building solution, Tavacore, that is expected to transform the building industry and make energy-efficient housing even more affordable to build and own.