CUOMO ANNOUNCES AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN PLANNING TO EAST AKRON NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

WASHINGTON - Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo today announced that the East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation in Akron, OH has received the American Planning Association/HUD Secretary's Opportunity and Empowerment Award.

The award was presented at the annual American Planning Association conference in Boston in recognition of excellence in urban planning. HUD Assistant Secretary-designate for Policy Development and Research William Apgar gave the award to East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation Executive Director Grady Appleton.

The East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation was formed in 1982 in response to deteriorated housing and property abandonment in east Akron after major plant closings and job reductions in the tire industry.

The APA/HUD Secretary's Opportunity and Empowerment Award recognizes the EANDC's efforts begun to construct and rehabilitate affordable housing on a scattered site basis. The group's effective residential infill and rehabilitation work has helped more than 200 lower income families.

"The East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation has found innovative solutions to some of the challenges facing Akron and has helped make the city a better place to live," Cuomo said. "It's a pleasure to recognize such an effective and hard-working group for its accomplishments."