ACT hosts community development conference

One of the first faith-based development conferences for N.Y.-area houses of worship was conducted by Abundant Communities Together Inc. (ACT) and brought together 300 faith-based organizations to discuss the nuts and bolts of community development. Topics ranged from how to form a community development corporation, to sources of financing, how to make development sustainable, how to determine community needs, etc.   The ACT Mission Focused, Faith-Based Development Seminar was held, May 21st at The Interchurch Center, 475 Riverside Drive, NYC.   ACT was organized by rev. Patrick Duggan who is current deputy county executive for Nassau County Office of Economic Development. Roz Goldmacher, president/CEO of Greater New York Development Co. (GNYDC) led the workshop on financing for nonprofit entities. Goldmacher and Duggan have worked together for many years on a number of community revitalization projects. The NY Theological Seminary is an active participant in the group. The workshop topics focused on faith-based groups looking to build, redevelop and/or make land use decisions. Areas covered were N.Y.C., Long Island or greater N.Y. area-all 5 boroughs, and Westchester.  Experts in faith-based development explained various processes covering land use planning, pre-development, design, financing and construction.   ACT creates partnerships among nonprofit organizations, businesses, faith-based institutions and dynamic community leaders. ACT's partnerships leverage underutilized community assets to promote commercial and residential development, business investment and job creation in economically distressed communities. GNYDC was a co sponsor of the conference. Goldmacher was a featured speaker and panelist on sources of funding. GNYDC provides low cost funding to nonprofits and businesses to acquire or refinance their facilities and has financed many projects as part of community revitalization including mixed use projects. rev. Patrick Duggan, president, ACT, Roz Goldmacher, president/CEO, GNYDC and Eric Eve, head of community relations CITI - Global Consumer Group.