By Dave Gatton and Carolyn Merryweather
November 1, 2004

Conference President Akron Mayor Donald L. Plusquellic received the Mortgage Bankers Association's second annual "Investing in Communities Award" at their 91st Annual Convention and Expo on October 26 in San Francisco, CA.

"There is a renaissance going on in America's cities. It is happening all across our nation in large, medium, and small cities. Mayors and mortgage bankers understand that increasing homeownership is one of the most important things we can do to promote families, build lively and committed neighborhoods, and create wealth for our citizens," the mayor told a group of over 3,000 delegates to the convention. He encouraged the audience to become more involved in promoting investment strategies centered around homeownership, brownfield redevelopment, and infrastructure.

In Akron, Plusquellic has worked to promote homeownership, affordable rental housing, and commercial investment. He has overseen the construction of hundreds of new, market-rate homes in Akron through the Urban Neighborhood Development Corporation, a public, nonprofit corporation.

During his time as mayor, Akron has spent more than $56 million to rehabilitate older homes and eight new community centers have been built to provide activities and educational programs for Akron citizens. Akron is also participating in the U.S. Conference of Mayors National Dollar Wi$e Campaign, and has joined with the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland to educate high school students about the importance of financial literacy.

"MBA is proud to present Plusquellic with the Investing in Communities award for his outstanding efforts and service to his community," said MBA Chairman Michael F. Petrie. "Plusquellic has done a terrific job in Akron and as the U.S. Conference of Mayors President. We hope mayors across America will join us as we strengthen our ongoing commitment to investing in communities."

Following Plusquellic's remarks, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alfonso Jackson addressed the group to tout President George W. Bush's record on increased homeownership rates and his recent proposal to create "opportunity zones" in cities that have suffered job losses over the past four years. He also said organizations like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can do more to promote affordable housing and pledged to work with MBA to further develop zero downpayment assistance proposals within the Federal Housing Administration.

While in San Francisco, Plusquellic met with San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom on issues ranging from homelessness to the hotel employees union strike that is affecting most hotels in downtown San Francisco. Later Plusquellic attended at press conference that Newsom and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger held in support of Proposition 1A that would prevent the state from raiding local government revenues for state budget shortfalls.