NEW YORK, June 4, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Suzanne Anarde, a community developer with more than two decades of experience helping revitalize low-income rural communities, has been tapped to lead a national rural program for the nonprofit Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC).
Anarde succeeds Elise Hoben, who retired last month as Rural LISC's program vice president. Michael Rubinger, LISC president and CEO, praised Hoben for her 26 years of "remarkable leadership" in helping elevate LISC's work, especially across the more than 1000 counties in 39 states where Rural LISC operates.
Anarde joined Rural LISC in 2008, working with local community development groups to build responsive programs in rural California, Oregon and Utah. Prior to that, she was founding executive director of Tri-County Housing and Community Development Corp., in Fowler, Colo., one of Rural LISC's original partners, and was a consultant for LISC in Mississippi, where she helped rebuild medical clinics in the wake of Hurricane Katrina
"Rural America has been greatly affected by the most recent economic decline. And it is difficult to rebound without access to the kind of capital and technical assistance that can ensure lasting progress," Anarde said. "Rural LISC is that connection point," she explained. "We help structure programs and convene the right partners so these communities can access the loans and investment dollars they need to move forward."
Anarde noted the resilience of rural communities and the local organizations focused on their recovery. "Our rural partners have long embraced LISC's Building Sustainable Communities focus," she said, citing the importance of comprehensive community development. "They work everyday to improve access to a quality education, health care and housing. They fuel local businesses, help create jobs and give families the chance to build a stronger financial future. They focus on long-term quality of life," she said.
In her new role, Anarde's on-the-ground experience is a tremendous asset in that effort, according to Rubinger. "Our rural program is a critical piece of our national work to help struggling low-income communities become safe, healthy, prosperous places of opportunity," he noted. "We have been lucky to have Suzanne's leadership in the LISC family for the last few years and to be able to leverage her keen understanding of the communities where we work to help move Rural LISC forward."
About LISC
LISC combines LISC combines corporate, government and philanthropic resources to help nonprofit community development corporations revitalize distressed neighborhoods. Since 1980, LISC has invested $12.9 billion to build or rehab 298,300 affordable homes and apartments and develop 49 million square feet of retail, community and educational space. For more, visit www.lisc.org.
About Rural LISC
LISC launched Rural LISC in 1995 to expand its reach beyond urban areas with a program focused on the specific needs of low-income rural communities. Today, Rural LISC partners with 58 community-based organizations in 39 states. Rural LISC has directed $961 million for housing, businesses, schools, health care and more, and to bring jobs back to deeply distressed rural communities. For more information, visit www. http://www.lisc.org/rural_lisc/index.php
SOURCE LISC
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