DHCR Deputy Commissioner Joe Rabito Receives Advance New York Award

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ALBANY, NY (06/08/2010)(readMedia)-- Joe Rabito, Deputy Commissioner of the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR), recently received the New York State Economic Development Council's (NYSEDC) Advance New York Award. Rabito oversees DHCR's Office of Community Renewal, which administers the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and the New York Main Street program for New York State.

In presenting the award NYSEDC highlighted the responsiveness and commitment to government efficiency that the Office of Community Renewal has shown under Deputy Commissioner Rabito and noted his "contributions in helping communities throughout New York State create jobs and improve the quality of life for thousands of New York residents."

Brian Lawlor, Commissioner of DHCR and President/CEO of nyhomes said, "The Office of Community Renewal has been extremely effective at listening and responding to the economic development and revitalization needs of local communities under Joe Rabito's leadership. Joe and his staff have been instrumental at bringing two of New York's major economic development programs together, maximizing their impact in every region of the state, and assuring a better quality of life for families and a better environment for businesses to grow and succeed."

Brian McMahon, NYSEDC Executive Director said, "Joe Rabito and the Office of Community Renewal have been tremendous partners in economic development with communities and economic development agencies throughout the state. Joe's leadership and his team at OCR have helped build vibrant and diverse communities that have created thousands of jobs in every corner of the state. New York's professional economic development community could not have a better partner than Joe Rabito."

In 2008, DHCR integrated the New York Main Street program with the New York State CDBG program to cut bureaucracy and make the programs more efficient and easier for communities to access. As a result and under Rabito's leadership, the agency has been better able to maximize resources to targeted communities.

Last year, Governor Paterson signed legislation making the NY Main Street program permanent, expanding it to allow local governments to apply, and increasing the maximum grant award from $200,000 to $500,000. The Council of State Community Development Agencies, a national organization based in Washington, D.C., gave its 2009 President's Award for Innovation to the New York Main Street Program for its effective integration of programs and funding sources that address critical housing, community and economic development needs around the state.

The NYS CDBG program provides financial assistance to eligible cities, towns, and villages with populations of less than 50,000 and counties with an area population under 200,000, in order to develop viable communities by providing decent, affordable housing and suitable living environments, as well as expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income.

NYSEDC's mission is to promote the economic development of the state and its communities, encourage sound practices in the conduct of regional and state-wide development programs, and to develop education programs that enhance the professional development skills of NYSEDC members.

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