The City of Valdosta will participate in the 2015 observance of National Community Development Week, April 6-11, with a variety of events that highlight the city’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

The CDBG program is a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program that provides grants to states, cities, and counties to devise neighborhood approaches to improve the physical, economic and social conditions in communities. Although the CDBG program across the nation has been cut significantly in the past several years, the City of Valdosta’s program remains a valuable resource to its citizens and works to improve the overall condition of our city neighborhoods.

The following is a list of events coordinated by the city’s Neighborhood Development Division to observe National Community Development Week locally.

Monday – April 6: CDBG City-Wide Project Tour and Proclamation.  The celebration in Valdosta will kick off with Mayor John Gayle issuing a proclamation supporting the CDBG program, which will be followed by a city-wide tour of some the projects funded through the CDBG.

Monday – April 6: Knowing Your Fair Housing Rights Workshop. WFN Consulting, from Marietta, Ga, will host a workshop for all interested citizens in the Valdosta City Hall Annex, Multi-Purpose Room, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Tuesday – April 7: Knowing Your Fair Housing Rights Workshop. In an effort to attract more citizens to important fair housing information, a repeat of the April 6 workshop will be held in the Valdosta City Hall Annex, Multi-Purpose Room, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday – April 8:  Valdosta Small Emerging Business (VSEB) Program Presents - Small Business 101.  In partnership with the Valdosta State University Small Business Development Center, this free workshop for small business owners and potential small business owners will be held in the Valdosta City Hall Annex, Multi-Purpose Room, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Thursday – April 9:  Home Buyer Education 101.  Hosted in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, this workshop will provide practical home-buying tips and resources for citizens interested in purchasing a home.  The class will meet in the Valdosta City Hall Annex, Multi-Purpose Room, from 9 a.m. to noon.

Friday – April 10:  Mad City Money.  Fifth graders from Pinevale Elementary School will learn how to utilize financial resources for personal and community benefits. 

Saturday – April 11: City Windshield Housing Stock Survey.  Completed in partnership with volunteers from Habitat for Humanity and Valdosta State University, this event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., starting and ending at the Valdosta City Hall Annex, Multi-Purpose Room.

For more information about National Community Development Week and any of the events taking place throughout the week, contact the City of Valdosta’s Neighborhood Development Division at (229) 671-3671.