When the Belco Community Credit Union moved into a SACA Development renovation building at 452 S. Duke Street in 2008, it became the first new business in 20 years along the South Duke Street corridor and signified a new era of southeast entrepreneurship and energy.

Besides giving southeast residents access to financial services and acting as an anchor that stabilized neighborhood business, the Belco move acted as a real shot in the arm for further development and an important achievement for an entire community.  Earlier renewal efforts paving the way for the project had been promoted by Crispus Attucks followed by the Inner City Group, a consortium (Crispus Attucks, Neighborhood Services, Spanish American Civic Association and the Urban League) which was able to leverage resources for necessary infrastructure.

The property was acquired and rehabilitated by SACA Development as reuse of a prominent historical landmark, the old Conestoga Black Elks building.  This community gathering place had played an important role in Southeast Lancaster’s cultural life for many decades but regrettably had gone to blight.

The Belco organization was firmly committed to establishing a business outlet in the Southeast community and invested heavily in the building, which allowed the project to move forward.  Remaining space was utilized the first year by a small business and space is now provided for Lancaster Lebanon IU-13 classrooms and the SACA Pl@za Comunitaria, an adult education, career and jobs center.