Albany to celebrate National Community Development Week

ALBANY — Albany City Manager Sharon Subadan announced that the city of Albany will celebrate National Community Development Week Monday through Friday.

The week has been designated nationally to celebrate Community Development Block Grant and the HOME Investment Partnership programs. Both programs are funded nationally through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

For 42 years, CDBG funds have been building communities, and for 25 years HOME funds have produced affordable housing within communities across the country. Even with significant funding reductions, the city of Albany has forged integral public-private partnerships in addressing priority community needs, according to a release from Subadan’s office.

For five consecutive years, Albany’s Department of Community and Economic Development has received the John A. Sasso National Community Development Week Award for its efforts and dedication in promoting National Community Development Week. This year, the city will highlight the special week through the following activities:

— Monday: Raise the CDBG Week banner at the Microbusiness Enterprise Center, 1:15 p.m.;

— Tuesday: Proclamation signing by Mayor Dorothy Hubbard at the 230 S. Jackson St. Microbusiness Enterprise Center, followed by a luncheon for recognition of CDBG-funded public service agencies, 11 a.m.;

— Wednesday: Community Development block party at the Hampton East Apartment Complex with events that will help promote community awareness, noon-4 p.m.;

— Starting Thursday: Airing of a CDBG and HOME funds advocacy video, which can be found on the city of Albany, Department of Community and Economic Development website: www.albany.ga.us/dced.

For additional information, call DCED Director Shelena Hawkins at (229) 483-7650.