2015.11.04 EDC Packet Combined - Laserfiche WebLink

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G2 FROM THE BOARD CHAIR AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR This past year marked an important milestone for MCCD. In 2014, we celebrated our 25th Anniversary. For those in our field, who were the Twin Cities' community development "pioneers" back in 1989, the past quarter century has gone by quickly. Still today, many of our early leaders are continuing the important work of community building, as they were 25 years ago and earlier. At MCCD's anniversary event on October 8, we were able to bring together a group of those founders to help us look back at that earli- er time when MCCD, then known as the Minneapolis Consortium of Community Developers, was established. But milestone events are not just a time to look back, they can also help us look ahead. At our anniversary celebration, we presented an inspiring video of an earlier event that brought together MCCD's founders with a group of young professionals who are members of our Emerging Leaders in Community Development. At the event, the Emerging Leaders unveiled plans for a series of timely discussions on issues facing the field of community development in the 21st Century. While the �5t, Anniversary was a highlight of 2014, our focus con- tinued to be the important work that we and our members do on a day to day basis. On the advocacy front, we achieved a major legis- lative victory when the "Homes for All" coalition — co-chaired by MCCD — was able to obtain $loo million in state bonding for afford- able housing. Our Open to Business initiative helped 57 entrepre- neurs access nearly $22.4 million in capital for their business pro- jects. Our thanks to all our friends and partners that worked with us this past year to achieve so much! And, a special thanks to the many early community developers that built the foundation of MCCD so many years ago. We wouldn't be here today without you! Best Regards, Karen Reid, Board President Jim Roth, Executive Director