By Eugene T. Lowe
April 14, 2003

Cities across the nation have developed plans to celebrate National Community Development Week (CD Week) from April 21-27. The purpose of CD Week is to celebrate the many accomplishments of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The theme of CD Week this year is "CDBG: Inspiring, Empowering, Achieving." The National Community Development Association (NCDA) which spearheads the effort says, "National Community Development Week celebrations are perfect avenues to thank your congressional delegations for supporting the program and to further educate them on just how much is being done with CDBG funds."

Pine Bluff (AR) is planning to highlight its CD projects on the web. Fall River (MA) will present framed CDBG posters (developed by NCDA) to its congressional delegation during a ceremony hosted by the mayor. Hartford will co'sponsor a statewide celebration with the Connecticut Community Development Association. Elected officials of Atlantic, Neptune and Jacksonville Beach (FL) will hold a press conference at Jacksonville Beach city hall to recognize CDBG-funded activities in the beach communities. Columbia (SC) will continue with its Community Relations Council Annual Fair and Columbia Council of Neighborhoods Annual Dinner, both to commemorate the outstanding achievement of CDBG. The mayors in all of the cities listed here will issue proclamations in tribute to the 28 year old CDBG program.

It is expected that some 500 cities and counties will sponsor activities in this year's National Community Development Week celebration. If your city has not planned any activities yet, call the NCDA at 202-293-7587, or go to the Conference of Mayors web site (usmayors.org) for a sample proclamation, sample press release, and sample resolution. Remember every city needs to participate. NCDA reminds us, "If we want CDBG to continue to be the model block grant that gives local government the flexibility to address community needs, then we have to mobilize to bring attention to the outstanding projects funded with CDBG in each and every neighborhood in America."