LINCOLN, NEB. (February 4, 2005)--Mark your calendar to celebrate Community Development (CD) Week, March 28-April 3, 2005. Community development efforts across Nebraska will focus on this year's theme of "CDBG: Building Strong Individuals, Proud Families, Vibrant Communities."

The National Community Development Association (NCDA) initiated National CD Week in 1986 to remind Congress of the importance of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. In Nebraska, federal, state and local organizations have formed a partnership to support community development activities in recognition of CD Week.

Communities are invited to celebrate CD Week by hosting a variety of activities locally. Suggested activities include holding a proclamation signing by local officials, hosting a community appreciation dinner, working with downtown business owners to promote downtown and area businesses, and/or writing letters to congressional representatives to share achievements and express opinions about the resources and programs that help make community development projects possible. Communities also may nominate themselves for the John A. Sasso National Community Development Week Award through the NCDA. More information about that award can be found on the NCDA website at: www.ncdaonline.org.

In Nebraska, nominations are now being accepted through March 4, 2005, for the Governor's Showcase Community Award. The award recognizes a community that has demonstrated an exceptional capacity during the past five to 10 years to identify community development goals and strategies; combine federal, state and local resources to achieve those goals; and accomplish major projects with positive impacts on the community. The Governor's Showcase Community Award and honorable mention awards will be announced at a special proclamation signing and awards ceremony during CD Week at the State Capitol in Lincoln. The nomination form for the Showcase Community Award can be found online at: http://crd.neded.org/ncip/cdweek.htm.

In addition, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development will highlight CDBG and Community Development Success Stories on a website and in several news releases leading up to CD Week. Success Stories also will be highlighted throughout the year as part of an ongoing process to recognize community development accomplishments.

For more information about CD Week, or the Showcase Community Award, visit http://crd.neded.org/ncip/cdweek.htm, or contact Lindsay Papenhausen, CD Week coordinator at 800-426-6505, 402- 471-2235, or e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Lindsay Papenhausen at 800-426-6505,
402-471-2235, or e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it