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Our Mission:
Our mission is to prepare and connect community-minded, investment-ready real estate developers and investors who live and work in Atlantic City, creating a pipeline of local leaders capable of activating properties, increasing homeownership, building wealth, and strengthening neighborhood prosperity.
About Jumpstart:
Jumpstart Atlantic City was launched to help residents and aspiring developers revitalize their neighborhood through collaborative efforts, community-focused property development training, and financing options.
Jumpstart Atlantic City is based on the highly regarded and effective Jumpstart Germantown model. Through collaborative effort and a centralized platform, we're working to grow local capacity, meet community needs and fill Atlantic City's development gaps, one project at a time.
What We Do:
Jumpstart Atlantic City provides education, mentorship, networking, and techincal support to aspiring and emerging real estate developers and investors. Participants learn how to identify opportunities, evaluate properties, secure financing, manage rehabilitation projects, and pursure homeownership, rental housing, or redevelopment strategies. Through a collaborative network of experienced professionals and community partners, Jumpstart helps build the skills, relationships, and local capacity needed to revitalize Atlantic City's neighborhoods. Our work includes the following:
Educate
Provide in-person and online training cohorts, workshops, and learning opportunities, while sharing curated tools, resources, and best practices.
Connect
Connect mentors, mentees, industry experts, community partners, and peers to foster relationships, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.
Support
Provide dedicated staff and technical assistance to help participants navigate opportunities, overcome barriers, and connect the dots between ideas, resources, and projects.
Develop Capacity
Help participants move from learning to doing by building the skills, confidence, and experience needed to undertake real estate projects. Create accessible pathways into development through inclusive, hands-on learning and project-based opportunities.
Build the Ecosystem
Strengthen Atlantic City's development ecosystem by cultivating a network of local developers, investors, professionals, lenders, contractors, nonprofits, and community stakeholders committed to neighborhood revitalization.
Our Impact:
Jumpstart seeks to:
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Create opportunities for local residents to invest in and develop their own neighborhoods.
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Build wealth and ownership opportunities within Atlantic City.
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Support scattered-site rehabilitation and neighborhood-scale revitalization.
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Encourage a healthy mix of affordable and market-rate housing.
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Reduce blight and activate underutilized properties.
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Prepare first-time investors and developers to access traditional financing.
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Promote diversity and expand participation in real estate development.
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Strengthen neighborhood prosperity and community pride.
Who We are Seeking:
We are seeking experienced and aspiring developers, investors, and community leaders who are committed to the future of Atlantic City. Jumpstarters are community-minded individuals who share a passion for blight reduction, quality housing, neighborhood revitalization, and creating lasting opportunities for residence to live, work, invest, and prosper in Atlantic City.
Training Program
Join us for our seven week program starting September 15th, with an enrollment fee of $95. The program consists of 14 hours, 2 hours each session, of instruction using the JumpStart curriculum. In this program, participants will learn about the 7 JumpSteps of real estate development. After completing the program, graduates will be matched with a mentor for 1 year. Mentors are experienced developers who have developed at least 10 properties.
7 JumpSteps
Sept.
15th
1. Create a Development Strategy & Identify your Team
Develop a strategic plan for the success of your development project; Build your team through networking and mentorship opportunities.
INSTRUCTORS:
Sharon Zappia
Chelsea EDC
Real Estate Coordinator
Alice Woods
Chelsea EDC
President
Stacey Jaskol
Chelsea EDC
Senior Counsel, Real Estate & Development
Sept.
22th
2. Source a Property & Due Diligence
Explore different pathways to sourcing and possessing property; Determine financial feasibility, property condition, environmental issues, zoning, use, title, survey, and inspections.
INSTRUCTORS:
Simon North
North Star Development
Principal
Rick Bloom
Bloom Realty & Insurance
Owner Broker Producer
Pillar to Post
Surety Title
Sept.
29th
3. Find your Financing
Learn about funding sources such as grants, investors, and loan opportunities to support your development project.
INSTRUCTORS:
Kieth Groff
Developer
MB Capitol
Wendy Barlett
Fulton Bank
Frank Montufar
Chelsea EDC
Homebuying Coordinator
Oct.
6th
4. Develop Design & Procure Permits
Create a detailed scope of work and understand the levels of renovation for your property; Determine what approvals you need and how to secure them.
INSTRUCTORS:
Reggie Smith
Miles Scott
Sears
Brian Kempf
Oct.
13th
5. Customize Construction
Actively manage the construction process and how to work with contractors hands-on; Understand construction contracts, timelines, and troubleshooting.
INSTRUCTORS:
Samantha Kiley
Midtown CDC
President
Oct.
20th
6. Lease, Manage, & Sell your Property
Learn about effective processes to make the most of your development project, including how to sell, lease, and manage your property.
INSTRUCTORS:
Steven Sless
Josh Levin
David Hirsch
Boardwalk Realty
Broker-Sales Person
Oct.
27th
7. Graduation & Next Steps
Celebrate the completion of your Jumpstart training and prepare for the next steps in your development journey.
For any additional questions or inquiries, please contact us at jumpstartac@chelseaedc.org.