The Town of North Hempstead Community Development Association (CDA), in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently hosted a "Doing Business with Government" conference in New Cassel.

The all-day conference took place Nov. 1 at the Magnolia Gardens Senior Citizens Center, at 899 Broadway, New Cassel. The event, which was free and began at 10 a.m., was part of a nationwide effort by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to educate the general public about business opportunities with the federal government.

"The office of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development is no stranger to communities in North Hempstead, Nassau and Suffolk counties," noted a CDA representative. "The department of HUD, through its partnership with the North Hempstead CDA, provides grants that have been used to revitalize neighborhoods, expand affordable housing, and provide economic opportunities for many communities in the North Hempstead area. These grants have been used to benefit low and moderate-income families, prevent or eliminate blight, and meet urgent community needs. The presence of HUD serves increasingly as a catalyst for economic development activities that expand job and business opportunities for lower income persons and neighborhoods."

Participants in the conference included Nassau Legislator Roger Corbin, of Westbury, Kevin Saunders, executive director of the CDA, Neville Mullins of the CDA, Charlie King, a representative for the secretary of HUD, Chuck Lesnick of HUD, Denise Notice, a representative for Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, Reverend Lionel Harvey of the First Baptist Church of Westbury, Inez Wynkoop, director of economic development for Nassau County, Roz Goldmacher, executive director of the Long Island Development Corporation, John Brown, president of the Prospect Avenue Business Association, and Reverend Eddie Eason, president of the Westbury Community Improvement Corporation.

Under moderator Steve Savarese, several HUD presentations were made. Presenters and topics included Juan Bautista: Housing Counseling, Jed Abrams: Public Housing and Drug Elimination, Phyllis Ford: Faith-Based Initiatives, Fernando Martinez, NOFA and other Federal Funding Opportunities.

Ira Weiner of HUD was the moderator during presentations for "Federal Partners" on "HUD Day." HUD was one of several federal partners present. Others included the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Chelsea Albucher, project manager for the Department of Defense, LI Procurement Technical Assistance Center, Sol Soskin, General Services Administration, Jonathon Aronson, contract specialist with the Department of Justice, Mary O'Donoghue, assistant U.S. attorney, and Weed and Seed Coordinator Bernice Hill.

Commenting on the conference, Legislator Corbin called HUD Day a "huge success" and a "long overdue step in the right direction."

"The new New Cassel welcomes any and all initiatives that bring about transformation," added the spokesperson for the CDA.