National Development Council Announces Winners of NDC Academy 2011 Development Project Showcase

WASHINGTON, May 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the National Development Council (NDC) announced the top four winners of the NDC Academy 2011 Project Showcase, a special feature of NDC's biennial conference which showcases the top economic and community development projects in the nation.  Submissions came in cities and communities across the nation in unprecedented numbers; 24 finalists – six in each of four categories – were chosen by NDC to compete for top honors at the NDC Academy.  

The top winners in each of the four categories are:

Track 1: Creative Financing Category Winner
C.C. Woodson Community Center
Spartanburg, South Carolina
Mitch Kennedy, City of Spartanburg

Track 2: Job Creation Category Winner
Brewery Main Block Development Project
Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts
Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation

Track 3: Affordable Housing Winner
St. Charles Parish Affordable Housing
St. Charles Parish, Louisiana
Kelita Pete, Family Resources of New Orleans

Track 4: Community Development Winner
Evergreen Cooperative Laundry
Cleveland, Ohio
David Ebersole, City of Cleveland

For more about the projects, please visit http://nationaldevelopmentcouncil.org/blog/.

"We are excited to announce the winners of the NDC Academy 2011 Project Showcase and to celebrate the outstanding work of all of the communities that submitted a project," said NDC President Bob Davenport. "Participation this year was tremendous and the quality of the projects and the important work done to improve communities across the country is truly impressive. The category winners are uniquely voted on and chosen by their peers at NDC Academy, making the honor extra special. Congratulations to all of our winners."

The NDC Academy 2011 Project Showcase is generously sponsored by Branch Banking and Trust Company (BB&T).  

"BB&T is pleased to attend NDC Academy 2011 and sponsor this prestigious Project Showcase of the nation's best economic and community development projects," said M. Craig Pascal, senior vice president, community development for BB&T. "Congratulations to City of Spartanburg, Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation, Family Resources of New Orleans and the City of Cleveland for stellar projects that are making such a difference in their communities."

The NDC Academy 2011 is three-day conference that has taken place, May 23 - 25, at the Renaissance Hotel Dupont Circle, NW, Washington, D.C. Every two years, the NDC Academy offers economic and community development professionals from around the country opportunities to engage on the latest policy developments and new trends impacting their profession. Under the theme, "Navigating Changing Times," NDC Academy 2011 presented the latest news from elected officials and administration staff on policy developments and featured 20 classroom sessions focused on the latest financing tools and development strategies for every type of community development activity. Topics included: Going Green for Community Development; the Small Business Jobs Act; Affordable Housing; Foundations and Community Development; Public-Private Partnerships; New Market Tax Credits; and more.

The NDC Academy was generously supported by several invaluable sponsors, including Diamond Sponsor Citi Foundation; Branch Banking and Trust Company; Reznick Group; American Express Center for Community Development; The Fearey Group; AMark Foster, Attorney; Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses; Hillis Clark Martin and Peterson; Promotion Execution Partners (PEP); Shallo, Galluscio, Bianchi and Fucito; Applegate &Thorne-Thomsen, P.C.; Dudley Ventures; Vincent P. Hauser, Architect; Key Bank; Jill Kotvis, Attorney and Novogradac & Company LLP.

Follow NDC on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/NationalDevelopmentCouncil
LinkedIn: http://linkd.in/NatlDevCouncil
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NatlDevCouncil - Hashtag:  #NDCAcademy

About The NDC Academy

The NDC Academy is a biennial conference of the National Development Council, which brings together economic and community development professionals from around the nation with policy makers, advocates and elected officials for high impact training, learning and networking. For more information, please visit: http://bit.ly/NDCAcademy.

About the National Development Council

For more than 40 years, the National Development Council (NDC) has worked to create and implement economic and community development strategies that increase the flow of capital, establish finance programs and help to create a professional economic and community development workforce.  NDC offers a wide range of services, including development assistance, professional training, small business financing and debt and equity for residential, commercial, public and non-profit facilities projects. To learn more, please visit www.nationaldevelopmentcouncil.org.

Media Contacts:
Amina Suchoski
The Fearey Group for NDC
206-229-0496; [email protected]

SOURCE National Development Council