Ideal Institute Acquires Property for Innovative Community Co-op in Atlantic City

On Jun 16, 2025

Ideal Institute of Technology has acquired property at 7 South Carolina Avenue, Atlantic City, with the support of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) through its Local Property Acquisition Grant. This step launches the Ideal Community Co-op, a transformative initiative dedicated to revitalizing Atlantic City through education, employment, entrepreneurship—and above all, community ownership.

This project addresses community needs, including food insecurity, job creation, and small business support, while breathing new life into a once-vacant building through a purpose-driven, multi-floor revitalization.

According to the Institute, by creating a cooperative model rooted in shared ownership and local engagement, the initiative will provide fresh, affordable food options for underserved residents; create career training pipelines for youth and adults; support minority entrepreneurs and food producers; and revitalize the city’s economic corridors with locally owned enterprises.

This integrative space will include:

• A fresh and affordable food market operated by and for community members, offering locally sourced, culturally relevant produce and staples
• A cloud kitchen facility for commercial food creating supporting food entrepreneurs, ghost kitchen operators, and small catering startups with affordable, shared-use kitchen space
• An aquaponics-based indoor agriculture center growing fresh greens and herbs year-round to supply the market and local restaurants, while educating residents on sustainable farming
• A business incubator and cooperative development center helping local residents launch worker-owned enterprises in food, retail, technology, and the creative industries
• Workforce development classrooms offering training in construction, IT, hospitality, green jobs, and entrepreneurship—all designed to equip youth and adults with industry-recognized credentials
• A suite of wraparound services, including financial literacy, case management, career coaching, and small business mentoring

This project is an innovative collaboration highlighting the visionary leadership of the City of Atlantic City, the NJEDA, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA), and a wide network of community organizations, partners, and civic leaders who have supported Ideal Institute’s mission every step of the way.

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