This introduction puts the research and commentaries into context in three ways. First, it briefly summarizes the history and current state of the CDC [Community Development Corporation] movement and positions the work of CDCs within the rubric of major interventions targeted to poor communities. Second, it describes the current economic and public policy context for community development with an emphasis on the critical influence of the national economy and federal policies and programs. Finally, it identifies some major current issues and developments that could not be included as the subject of full articles but that will, nevertheless, affect the evolution of community development in the coming years.