Community Economic Development (CED) involves marginalized communities working together to achieve financial benefits, as well as to develop new skills and support systems. Economic activities are the explicit organizing mandate for the CED project studied in this thesis, and the main reason behind the groups government funding. At the same time, within CED economic development acts as a catalyst for the building of skills and community amongst marginalized women. Many women active with the initiative identify the construction of community and the opportunity to learn about themselves, to learn about others, and to learn tangible skills as the main benefits of their participation in CED.This thesis explores the experiences of a group of marginalized women participating in CED. It also examines the challenges and tensions involved in carrying out a womens CED initiative in the current economic climate of Ontario.