West North Avenue Development Authority
WNADA is a Maryland state-chartered economic development authority, established 2021, that distributes state grant funding and operates RFQ-based grant programs across housing, commercial, arts, transportation, and greenspace verticals for 17 West Baltimore neighborhoods along the West North Avenue corridor, anchored by Coppin State University and MICA.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersBaltimore, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What West North Avenue Development Authority does
The West North Avenue Development Authority (WNADA) is a Maryland state-chartered government economic development authority established on October 1, 2021 by Chapters 80 and 81 of 2021, with exclusive statutory authority over the West North Avenue corridor (600-3200 Block and 250-yard buffer zone) in West Baltimore. It is the first-in-the-nation government economic development agency explicitly dedicated to addressing the systemic discriminatory effects of redlining, and is structurally anchored by two higher-education institutions: Coppin State University, a Historically Black University on whose 52-acre campus WNADA's offices are co-located, and the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). WNADA's mandate is to advance restorative justice through context-sensitive strategies that enhance housing, public space, mobility, and economic opportunity across 17 corridor neighborhoods including Bolton Hill, Coppin Heights, Druid Heights, Penn North, Reservoir Hill, Sandtown-Winchester, and Upton.
WNADA operates a portfolio of grant and program products rather than a unified technology platform. Core programs include the FY27 Request for Qualifications (RFQ) grant cycle (covering residential, commercial, arts & culture, transportation, neighborhood development, and greenspace priorities), the Community Connection Grant Program for neighborhood associations, Housing Counseling Services RFP (minimum $500K, including $75K operational support and 17 down payment assistance grants of $25K per household in zip codes 21216/21217), Housing Appraisal Services RFQ (~30-35 vacant/blighted properties on the 2700-2900 blocks), the West North Avenue Farmers Market at the former Greenwood Towing Site, the Live-Near-Your-Work Program ($25K-$50K down payment assistance), and a published Grants Manual. Applications are processed through a Submittable-based online portal.
WNADA is funded entirely by State of Maryland appropriations and grants rather than commercial revenue, having received approximately $33M+ in cumulative state funding across 2023-2024 ($11.4M in June 2023, $11M from Governor Moore in July 2023, $10M in December 2023, $6.1M redeployed to 14 local businesses in April 2024, $500K HUD housing counseling grant, and $350K Maryland Public Safety grant in May 2024). Its governing board embeds Maryland Secretaries of Housing (DHCD), Transportation (MDOT), and Commerce, plus MEDCO, Baltimore Development Corporation, Baltimore City departments of Housing/Planning/Transportation, the Mayor of Baltimore, and the Governor. The organization is led by Executive Director Chad Williams (appointed March 2022), with a COO, General Counsel, and seven functional officers covering Housing Development, Economic Development, Neighborhood Development, Procurement, Policy/Research, Public Affairs, and Special Assistant roles. Customer segments are diversified across West Baltimore residents, real estate developers, commercial entrepreneurs, IT/light-manufacturing startups, HUD-certified housing counseling agencies, and community-based organizations.
West North Avenue Development Authority firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- West North Avenue Development Authority
- Legal name
- West North Avenue Development Authority
- Website
- https://wnada.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- WNADA is a Maryland state-chartered economic development authority, established 2021, that distributes state grant funding and operates RFQ-based grant programs across housing, commercial, arts, transportation, and greenspace verticals for 17 West Baltimore neighborhoods along the West North Avenue corridor, anchored by Coppin State University and MICA.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
West North Avenue Development Authority industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Government Economic Development Services
- NAICS
- Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925), Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development (92512), Administration of Housing Programs (92511), Administration of Economic Programs (926)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Community Development & Neighborhood Revitalization Housing Programs (FSALAKAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Down Payment Assistance (DPA) & Homebuyer Subsidy Programs (FSALAKAE), State & Local Housing Finance Agencies (HFAs) (FSALAKAA)
Keywords
Where West North Avenue Development Authority is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Baltimore
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
West North Avenue Development Authority business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- State Grant Funding: WNADA receives state funding from the State of Maryland to support comprehensive housing, economic, transportation, and neighborhood development along West North Avenue. The authority was authorized by Chapters 80 and 81 of 2021 and has received multiple state grants including $11.4M in state funding and $10M in grants for revitalization.
- HUD Housing Counseling Grant: The contracted HUD-certified housing counseling agency is expected to receive a minimum $500,000 grant including operational support and down payment assistance funding for households in the 21216 and 21217 regions.
- Capital Grants and Low-Interest Loans: WNADA initiates and funds comprehensive development by providing capital grants and low-interest loans to real estate developers, IT, light-manufacturing, and product production business start-ups, and commercial retail entrepreneurs for acquisition, development, and repurposing of vacant, blighted, and abandoned properties.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
West North Avenue Development Authority product offering
Product offeringCore offering
WNADA is a State of Maryland economic development authority that distributes public grants and provides technical assistance to developers, small businesses, community organizations, and partner agencies for the revitalization of the West North Avenue corridor in West Baltimore. It also runs resident-facing programs such as Live-Near-Your-Work down payment assistance and contracted housing counseling and appraisal services, anchored by a Comprehensive Revitalization Plan and a published Grants Manual.
Product overview
The West North Avenue Development Authority (WNADA) is an economic development authority for the State of Maryland serving West Baltimore, anchored by Coppin State University and MICA. Rather than a unified technology product, WNADA operates a portfolio of grant programs and development initiatives including the FY27 RFQ Grant Program, Community Connection Grant Program, Housing Counseling Services, Housing Appraisal Services, the West North Avenue Farmer's Market, and the Live-Near-Your-Work Program. The authority also publishes a Grants Manual and maintains a Comprehensive Revitalization Plan for corridor development. These programs collectively support housing, economic development, transportation, neighborhood revitalization, and community connectivity along the West North Avenue corridor.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- FY27 RFQ Grant Program Competitive grant solicitation administered through WNADA's online grants portal inviting developers, businesses, and community organizations in the West North Avenue target area to apply for FY27 grant funding aligned with the Comprehensive Revitalization Plan.
- WNADA Community Connection Grant Program
Quantifiable outcome
- $6.1 million awarded to fourteen local businesses
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use West North Avenue Development Authority
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
West North Avenue Development Authority technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
West North Avenue Development Authority partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Coppin State UniversitycoreCoppin State University is the anchor institution for WNADA. The 52-acre campus in West Baltimore houses WNADA's offices. WNADA was established to benefit Coppin State University and the neighborhoods of West Baltimore. The university is part of the University System of Maryland and a member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, with a student population that is 76% female and 83% Black or African American.
- MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art)coreMICA is acknowledged nationally as a premier leader in art and design education and is the oldest continuously degree-granting college of art and design in the nation. Located in Baltimore and deeply connected to the community, MICA is a leading contributor to the creative economy regionally and a top producer of nationally and internationally recognized professional artists and designers. WNADA is anchored by MICA as a public arts college.
- Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)coreState agency focused on housing, neighborhood, community, economic and transportation development. Jacob R. Day serves as Secretary of Housing & Community Development and is listed on WNADA's governing board.
- Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT)coreState agency focused on transportation development. Paul J. Wiedefeld serves as Secretary of Transportation and Jawauna M. Greene serves as Assistant Secretary of Transportation, both listed on WNADA's governing board.
- Maryland Department of CommerceminorState economic development agency. Harry Coker Jr serves as Maryland's Secretary of Commerce and is listed on WNADA's governing board.
- Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO)minorState economic development corporation. J. Thomas Sadowski, Jr. serves as Executive Director and is listed on WNADA's governing board.
- Baltimore Development CorporationcoreCity-level economic development agency. OTIS ROLLEY III serves as President & Chief Executive Officer and is listed on WNADA's governing board.
- Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community DevelopmentcoreCity agency focused on housing and community development.
- Baltimore City Department of PlanningminorCity planning agency. Tim Keane serves as Director and is listed on WNADA's governing board.
- Baltimore City Department of TransportationminorCity transportation agency. Veronica P. McBeth serves as Director and is listed on WNADA's governing board.
- Governor Wes MoorecoreGovernor of Maryland who signed the economic development bill (Chapters 80 and 81 of 2021) establishing WNADA. Governor Moore has invested $11 million to revitalize West Baltimore.
- Mayor Brandon ScottcoreMayor of Baltimore City who is listed on WNADA's governing board and supports the authority's economic development mission for West Baltimore.
- Druid Heights CDCminorCommunity Development Corporation serving the Druid Heights neighborhood. JohnDre Jennings serves as Executive Director and is listed on WNADA's governing board.
- Coppin Heights Community Development CorporationminorCommunity Development Corporation serving the Coppin Heights neighborhood. Minister Glenn Isaac Smith serves as Executive Board Member and is listed on WNADA's governing board.
- Greater Mondawmin Coordinating CouncilminorCommunity organization coordinating development in the Mondawmin neighborhood, listed as a recipient of HUD housing counseling services.
- Black Arts DistrictminorCommunity organization serving the West North Avenue corridor, listed as a recipient of HUD housing counseling services.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
West North Avenue Development Authority competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC): Philadelphia's public-private economic development corporation that provides financing, real estate services, and capital for neighborhood revitalization, including targeted corridor strategies. PIDC's mix of municipal and state capital, plus place-based intervention, closely parallels WNADA's operating model.
- Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD): State agency administering housing and community development programs statewide, including many of the same program types (DPA, housing counseling, revitalization) that WNADA runs at the corridor level. Secretary Jacob R. Day sits on WNADA's board, evidencing deep operational overlap.
- Baltimore Development Corporation: Baltimore City's economic development agency with overlapping jurisdiction and a shared governing board member (President & CEO Otis Rolley III) with WNADA. Both deploy capital and provide development support in Baltimore, with BDC covering the full city and WNADA focused on the West North Avenue corridor.
- Detroit Economic Development Corporation: Detroit's nonprofit economic development corporation that catalyzes neighborhood revitalization through catalytic real estate, small business support, and corridor-focused programs targeting historically disinvested areas — closely analogous to WNADA's mission in West Baltimore.
- Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO): Maryland's state economic development corporation that finances and develops real estate and infrastructure projects. WNADA's Executive Director and MEDCO's Executive Director (J. Thomas Sadowski Jr.) share a governing board seat, reflecting overlapping mandates in state-level economic development financing.
Broad incumbents
- Enterprise Community Partners: National nonprofit that combines affordable housing development finance, policy advocacy, and community development programs. Enterprise's place-based Baltimore initiatives and racial-equity focus are highly comparable to WNADA's restorative-justice framing.
- Empire State Development: New York State's principal economic development umbrella that funds place-based initiatives, mixed-use redevelopment, and minority-owned business support. While much broader than WNADA, ESD's flagship corridor programs (e.g., Buffalo Billion) offer a comparable template for large-scale state-anchored revitalization.
- Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): National community development financial institution that deploys grants, loans, and equity into disinvested neighborhoods via local CDCs. LISC's Baltimore office is an active partner/peering entity in West Baltimore community development and operates a similar toolkit to WNADA at greater scale.
Emerging players
- Cleveland Development Advisors: Cleveland's real estate-focused economic development affiliate that deploys catalytic capital in targeted neighborhoods. CDA's corridor strategy and partnership with public-sector anchors is a smaller-scale analog of WNADA's anchor-institution model.
- Reinvestment Fund: Community development financial institution that provides flexible capital, real estate advisory, and policy analysis for disinvested urban and rural markets. Reinvestment Fund's mix of financing tools and market analytics overlaps with WNADA's grant, loan, and program design toolkit.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
West North Avenue Development Authority social profiles
Digital presenceWest North Avenue Development Authority financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
West North Avenue Development Authority leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
West North Avenue Development Authority funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
West North Avenue Development Authority M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about West North Avenue Development Authority
What does West North Avenue Development Authority do?
WNADA is a State of Maryland economic development authority that distributes public grants and provides technical assistance to developers, small businesses, community organizations, and partner agencies for the revitalization of the West North Avenue corridor in West Baltimore. It also runs resident-facing programs such as Live-Near-Your-Work down payment assistance and contracted housing counseling and appraisal services, anchored by a Comprehensive Revitalization Plan and a published Grants Manual.
Is West North Avenue Development Authority a public or private company?
West North Avenue Development Authority is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was West North Avenue Development Authority founded?
West North Avenue Development Authority was founded in 2021. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is West North Avenue Development Authority based?
West North Avenue Development Authority is headquartered in Baltimore, United States, in the North America region.
How does West North Avenue Development Authority make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. State Grant Funding is the primary driver. The others are HUD Housing Counseling Grant and capital Grants and Low-Interest Loans.
Who are West North Avenue Development Authority's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC), Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), Baltimore Development Corporation, Detroit Economic Development Corporation and Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO). Broad incumbents are Enterprise Community Partners, Empire State Development and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). Emerging players are Cleveland Development Advisors and Reinvestment Fund.
Does West North Avenue Development Authority have an API?
No public API is recorded for West North Avenue Development Authority.
What industry is West North Avenue Development Authority in?
West North Avenue Development Authority's product category is Government Economic Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSALAKAO, Community Development & Neighborhood Revitalization Housing Programs, with a secondary code of FSALAKAE, Down Payment Assistance (DPA) & Homebuyer Subsidy Programs. Its NAICS code is 925.