UNIVERSITY PARK ALLIANCE RECEIVES AWARD AT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE

Akron, OH-based Entity Recognized for Educational Institution Partnership

            Oct. 26, 2009-Acknowledging University Park Alliance (UPA) as an exceptional educational institution partnership, the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) presented an award to the Akron, Ohio-based entity at IEDC's Annual Conference, which took place in Reno, Nevada, October 4-7. UPA was recognized for this achievement during an awards ceremony on Tuesday, October 6th.

            "Furthering economic development is rarely a simple task in the best of times, and advancing the cause in the midst of a global financial crisis is nothing less than arduous," said Ian Bromley, IEDC chair. “We proudly present this award to University Park Alliance for its superior work during these difficult times." “The University of Akron greatly appreciates the talents and ideas all of our partners bring to the collaborative University Park Alliance venture,” says UA President Luis M. Proenza.  “It is truly the shared vision within the partnership that is enabling us to facilitate the transformation of a neighborhood that is very important to the city, the University and to all of the UPA partners.” Says City of Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic, “When we created the Akron Biomedical Corridor with our three hospitals, the University of Akron was a critical partner - not only because of its expertise in materials science at the Institute of Polymer Science, but because so much of this new Innovation District falls within the boundaries of University Park. The success of our BioMedicine and BioMaterials initiatives will depend on how successful we are in revitalizing this neighborhood. The University Park Alliance partnership constitutes a major force for positive economic change.”

           Competing in the category of Partnerships with Educational Institutions, UPA was a clear standout. The alliance was established through a major grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and is comprised of partners including The University of Akron, City of Akron, Summa Health System, Akron Beacon Journal, Akron Children's Hospital, Akron General Health System, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority, Greater Akron Chamber, Akron Public Schools, and University Park Development Corporation. UPA is a multifaceted effort to transform the 50-block University Park neighborhood surrounding The University of Akron. Through engaging the community and leveraging private investment, UPA is working to revitalize the neighborhood as a vibrant urban community. The shared vision of the partnership for this vitally important neighborhood is to create a mixed-use environment that blurs the boundaries between the university and the neighborhood, is pedestrian friendly, highly diverse, and innovatively integrates health and learning throughout.

           The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is headquartered in Washington, DC. Its mission is to provide leadership and excellence in economic development for communities, members and partners. IEDC's professional economic development awards annually recognize excellence in the economic development profession.

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