Community Development Initiative goes green

By Mike Grizzard


Friday, May 23, 2008

Many concepts of the green movement are new to Abdul Rasheed, chief executive officer of the North Carolina Community Development Initiative in Raleigh. But he does have a firm hold on preservation, especially when it comes to people and communities.

That's where he has been able to find some common ground with environmental groups.

"They're teaching us about these principles and values and we in exchange, I think, are helping them to appreciate that not only do we need to preserve the land and the trees and the birds and the wetlands, but we also need to preserve those communities that are at risk and are vulnerable," Rasheed said.

Rasheed and the Community Development Initiative have been in the business of encouraging investment in low-income communities since 1994.

He and Ebonie Alexander, president of the organization, visited Greenville this week to discuss the NCCDI's impact and the direction it hopes to take.

The Community Development Initiative has joined a conservation effort called Land for Tomorrow, a statewide partnership of citizens, businesses, interest groups and local governments urging the General Assembly to provide $200 million a year for five years to protect the state's land and water resources.

Rasheed's focus is on providing "conservation-based affordable housing" that incorporates green technologies, from land planning to passive solar energy to dual-flush toilets.

"We're trying to move from just getting people into a house to getting people into a smart house," Rasheed said. "... We're making every concerted effort now to bring those technologies to low-income communities based on our ability to afford the technology.

"If we don't do it now, as this curve moves, to come back and try to reinvest and re-establish these principles as we have done historically would be a shame on us that know better during this generation."

The Community Development Initiative is a nonprofit, public-private partnership that has worked primarily with community development centers but is extending its reach to faith-based organizations, historically black colleges and other non-profits. Primary funding has come through the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, the Ford Foundation and the State of North Carolina. Financial institutions also invest, which helps them meet regulatory requirements under the Community Investment Act.

The NCCDI provides annual operational grants to about 30 established CDCs, including the Rocky Mount/Edgecombe CDC, the Wilson Community Improvement Association, East Carolina Community Development Inc. in Beaufort, the Metropolitan Housing and CDC in Washington, and Rebuilding Broken Places CDC in Goldsboro. Loans are also available through the Community Development Initiative's sister company, Initiative Capital, a certified community development finance institution.

Rasheed said he hopes to bridge more partnerships in Pitt County.

"We would certainly work with an East Carolina if there was a particular place it had decided it wanted to do some community outreach and have some impact in a neighborhood in Greenville," he said.

"We would love an opportunity to work with the university or the faith organizations. We've tried to work with a couple of CDCs here but have not had any project that has taken hold."

Although providing grants for single-family and multifamily housing is the foundation of the NCCDI, projects have included retail and commercial development.

"Once we have actually made a dent in the neighborhood in terms of housing, naturally what follows is the need for some goods and services," Rasheed said.

Rasheed said the investment reaps returns in not only expanding the tax base of a community but in providing stability for families.

Business briefs

First Flight Federal Credit Union plans to open a branch at Arlington Crossing between The Wing Zone and Andy's.

Mike's Fashion Shoppe in downtown Winterville has closed.

Ribbon cuttings are scheduled for next week at M&K Records Research (10 a.m. Tuesday), 3219 Landmark St., Suite 10-A; Extravaganza (4 p.m. Tuesday), 3701 Charles Blvd.; and Jumpin Monkey (4 p.m. Thursday), 3525 S. Memorial Drive.