DCED Collaboration with Clarion County Communities Wins National Innovation Award

Ryan Robertson

Ryan Robertson

Published September 18, 2014 4:25 am
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HARRISBURG, Pa. – Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary C. Alan Walker yesterday announced that the Council of State Community Development Agencies (COSCDA) has awarded the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) the 2014 Presidential Award for Innovation for the Blueprint Communities initiative.

The communities participating in the 2014 initiative include the Boroughs of Clarion (Clarion County), Curwensville (Clearfield County), Emlenton (Venango County), Foxburg (Clarion County), Mapleton (Huntington County), Mount Union (Huntington County), and Reynoldsville (Jefferson County); the Cities of New Castle (Lawrence County), and Parker (Armstrong County); and Bloom (Clearfield County), Penn (Clearfield County), Pike (Clearfield County), and Shirley Townships (Huntington County).

”Governor Corbett is building stronger Pennsylvania communities by engaging the public and private sectors in collaborative efforts that create new opportunities for community renewal and growth,” said Walker. “I commend all of the partners involved with the innovative Blueprint Communities initiative. Together we are driving economic growth and new development at the local level.”

The Blueprint Communities initiative, renewed in 2014, provides strategic assistance to community leaders, enabling them to plan for, and carry out, effective and comprehensive revitalization efforts that have an enormous impact on the quality of life, both now and far into the future. The initiative serves as a catalyst for creating sustainable communities throughout the commonwealth.

DCED was presented with the award today during the COSCDA Annual Training Conference: Healthier Communities, Healthier People during their Presidential Reception and Award Recognition Ceremony held in Boston, MA.

The award provides recognition of community development, housing and homelessness members with nominations accepted from across the United States.

DCED partnered with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and other key partners to develop and execute the Blueprint Communities program.

COSCDA is the premier national association advocating and enhancing the leadership role of states in community development through innovative policy development and implementation, customer-driven technical assistance, education, and collaborative efforts.

For more information about other community development initiatives, visit www.newPA.com or call 1-866-466-3972.

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