Uplift Cook serves as a 2025-2029 strategic plan to prioritize the use of certain federal funds for five topic areas: economic development, workforce development, housing and homelessness, community development, and infrastructure. It synthesized two technical documents, the Consolidated Plan (Con Plan) and Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), which was submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
As the prime consultant, SB Friedman acted as project manager, coordinated engagement activities, conducted core analyses, formulated the strategic framework, and led the drafting of Uplift Cook and the technical Con Plan and CEDS reports. This engagement also included demographic and housing needs analyses, a housing affordability and market study, industry cluster analysis, and a review of workforce and business characteristics. We also developed a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis with key stakeholders focused on the combined plan’s five topic areas.
Uplift Cook synthesized SWOT feedback, analysis, community input, and a detailed review of existing County, regional and State planning and economic development initiatives. The plan also included an evaluation framework and outcome-oriented metrics to track progress across stated objectives.
Results: The Cook County Board of Commissioners officially approved the Uplift Cook plan in summer 2025. The CEDS and Con Plan were submitted to their respective federal agencies.