HUD participates in EcoDistricts Targeted Cities Program in support of Clinton Global Initiative

Urban leaders and EcoDistrict faculty

Catalytic projects and associated funding options meant to help spur urban regeneration and innovation were the topic of the day at EcoDistricts (http://ecodistricts.org/about/) Workshop as HUD Southeast Regional Administrator Ed Jennings, Jr. joined a prestigious group of fellow panelists to address an influential group of 40+ urban leaders representing 11 EcoDistricts projects in the Manley Center on Spelman College's (www.spelman.edu/) campus in the heart of Atlanta. Joining Jennings were Amon Martin, Senior Development Director, The Integral Group, Erin Barnes, Co-founder, IOBY and William Carson, Vice President, Community Impact Strategy, The Infuse Group at US Bancorp Community Development Corporation.

"The efforts of federal agencies, public and private entities innovatively working together serve as potential catalysts for these EcoDistricts and may prove essential in this endeavor," said Jennings.

During the two day long workshops the participants received technical assistance and training to conduct feasibility studies, aligning partners, and organizing funding to help spur implementation of projects. EcoDistrict faculty also provided expertise on a range of issues from district energy to tactical urbanism. And also took a tour of the Beltline which showcases Atlanta's investments in sustainable development.

EcoDistricts was formerly a Portland, OR-based organization established in 2008 by former Mayor Sam Adams to advance the City's sustainability goals. The success working in Portland generated interest from other cities leading to the evolution from a place-based to a national non-profit serving a growing number of cities across North America.

The 11 projects are participating in the Target Cities (http://ecodistricts.org/target-cities/) pilot program. Target Cities projects represent a powerful new approach for building the public-private-civic partnerships that drive real change. EcoDistrict is working with nine cities and eleven projects to create the next generation of sustainable and resilient neighborhoods in the City of Atlanta's University Center (AUC) Vine City, as well as Austin, Boston, Cambridge, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, the District of Columbia, and Ottawa, Canada. These projects represent a significant investment in the coming years to transform more than 1,500 acres of underserved neighborhoods, downtown areas, business districts, historical precincts, brownfield sites, and university campuses.

###