COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF HOWARD COUNTY PARTICIPATES IN FUNDERS' NETWORK FOR SMART GROWTH AND LIVABLE COMMUNITIES CONFERENCE

Harper joins other community foundation leaders to explore opportunities

March 25, 2010 — Community Foundation of Howard County President Ron Harper recently participated in a Funders' Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities Conference that was focused on how communities can engage with federal leadership on progressive policy and practice while facing severe resource constraints and limited capacity. The two-day event was held in Pittsburgh, Penn.

Harper joined 12 other Community Foundation leaders from the mid-west to participate in a session with Dr. Ed Montgomery, director of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers and chair of the Interagency Cities in Transition Working Group. The group received a special invitation to attend the conference because of their roles in communities impacted by the downturn of the automotive industry. Other Indiana Foundation leaders attending the event included South Bend, Columbus and Anderson.

"This was an excellent opportunity to talk with Dr. Montgomery and share what our communities are facing and how we can achieve sustained growth in our communities and regions," said Harper. "We were able to strategize on how Community Foundations can work with local government to explore areas of opportunities. With this interest from the federal government, we can exchange ideas and build relationships that will help to coordinate efforts, align resources and leverage investments for sustainability efforts."

While attending the conference, the foundation leaders were encouraged to talk informally with key federal staff members from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Transportation, Labor, Environmental Protection Agency, Commerce and the White House.

Before attending the event, Harper consulted with Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight, Debbie Cook, director of Development for Kokomo, and Jeb Conrad, president of the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance.

The Community Foundation of Howard County was formed as a not-for-profit public charity in 1991. The Foundation seeks to serve donors and make grants to benefit the citizens of Howard County. For more information, contact Harper at 765-454-7298 or ron@cfhoward.org.