The first joint conference held September 25-27, 2007 in Charleston attracted over 300 community economic development practicioners from North and South Carolina.  The theme for the conference was CED in the Carolinas: F.I.T. for the Future. The  pre-conference institute focused on the latest information concerning trends in the rising tide of housing forclosures, updates on policy reforms at the state and federal levels, tips for handleing sub-prime and predatory lending clients, and much more. Ideas from topic experts, resources, and practical tools were shared with those in attendance.  Senator Robert Ford (on right) gave remarks about the troubling high cost loans that minorities throughout South Carolina are placed in and strategies to further address this issue. Susan Berkowitz (on right) from SC Appleseed Legal Justice Center was one of the featured presenters on predatory lending.                                                                                                                                   

Keynote speakers for the conference included Roland Anglin from Rutgers University, Kenneth D. Wade (on left) from Neighbor Works America, and Carol Wayman with the Corporation for Enterprise Development.  Workshops focused on finance, innovation, and technology. There was a workshop specifically designed for elected officials and their role in community economic development, which attracted over 10 county council, town council, economic development alliance staff, and mayors.  Topics were discussed on important non-profit issues such as fundraising, liability issues, and board development. The Association will continue to provide workshops around these and other issues in 2008. "Your conference always imparts fresh vision and enthusiasm."
Don Oglesby, Homes of Hope

Jazz vocalist Ann Caldwell provided music during the "Welcome to Charleston" reception and artist John W. Jones was available to sign the conference poster entitled "Bridges of the Carolinas". The Conference provided an opportunity for policy makers, housing industry professionals, service providers, faith- and community- based organizations, local elected and governmental officials, federal and state officials and other interested parties to interact and focus their collective energy on meeting the housing and economic development needs of the Carolinas’ low-wealth families, individuals and communities. “Our conference was designed to be catalytic in generating sustainable progress in the Carolinas’ most distressed communities, and we met our goal. There is no other event in the Carolinas that attracts this level of innovation, expertise and commitment in one place”, said Bernie Mazyck, President & CEO of the S.C. Association of Community Development Corporations.

This event would have been impossible without the support from the following Sponsors. Their committment to community economic devlopment is recognized throughout the state and we thank them for their contribution!