One Town to Win Outstanding Community of Year

Concord, NH - The best projects and people will be recognized and awarded at the Community Development Finance Authority’s (CDFA) Downtown Resource Center’s Excellence Awards - “Grand Slam Downtown” - event on Monday, May 19 at the Grappone Conference Center, Concord, NH.   

“The nominations we received for this year’s awards program truly showcase the breadth of projects and programs that Main Street Communities throughout the state are involved with,” said Sarah DiSano, Director of the CDFA Downtown Resource Center. “Awards will be given for an array of projects - from impressive building rehabilitations; to incredible events that not only bring people downtown for fun and excitement, but also help to make registers ring in retail stores; to successful preservation efforts.  The winner of our most prestigious award, Outstanding Main Street Community of the Year, truly surprised the judges and we think that some people in New Hampshire will be surprised to learn all of what they have accomplished in one year,” continued DiSano.  

Jurors for the Downtown Excellence Awards included Sarah Hansen, Project Manager for the Architectural Heritage Foundation, Inc, in Boston, MA; Jason Hoch, Town Manager of Plaistow, NH; and Alan S. Manoian, AICP, Economic Development Officer for Hampshire First Bank in Nashua, NH.  

Those interested in Downtown revitalization are welcome to attend to learn about the most innovative projects.  The event begins at 5:00 p.m. at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord. Attendees must pre-register by May 14, 2008 and pay $38 per person by going to the CDFA website, www.nhcdfa.org, and clicking on “training opportunities”.  The presenting sponsor is Public Service Company of New Hampshire.  

The Downtown Resource Center (DRC) is the CDFA’s newest community and economic program offered to all New Hampshire communities. The DRC provides high quality revitalization resources and services that communities need to successfully strengthen their downtowns. CDFA invests in community-based affordable housing and economic development projects that make New Hampshire a better place to live and work.  For more information about CDFA, the DRC including how to become a member or to register for the Downtown Excellence Awards please call 603.226.2170 or visit www.nhcdfa.org.