LHDC Receives Award
( July 22, 2003 )
The Indiana Association for Community Economic Development presented its 2003 Project of the Year Award to Lincoln Hills Development Corporation. The awards were presented at IACED's 17th annual Community Economic Development Conference in Indianapolis.
The IACED Project of the Year award is given annually to a community economic development project that exhibits collaboration, resourcefulness and creativity to address a critical community economic development need in the community. Award recipients are nominated by the IACED membership and were reviewed by 10 judges representing the community economic development industry from across the state.
Lincoln Hills received the award for its renovation and restoration of the Indiana Cotton Mill in Cannelton. The Cotton Mill was ranked as the number one most endangered historic property in Indiana by the Historic Landmarks Foundation before the project began.
Totaling over $8.1 million in total development costs, the project involved numerous partners. Today this structure has been renovated into 70 units of rental housing. Currently, 65 of the 70 units have been leased, providing home to 185 residents.
Christie L. Gillespie, IACED Executive Director, states, "Lincoln Hills should be commended for their dedication to this project. At first glance, this appears to be a typical 70-unit affordable housing project. However, this project was of enormous proportions, and required a committed and able community-based organization to shepherd it to completion. We are pleased to recognize their accomplishments through the presentation of this award."
LHDC was presented with a granite plaque, and a $500 donation will be contributed to the organization in honor of this recognition.
IACED is a statewide membership association founded in 1986 to serve and represent community-based development organizations working on behalf of disadvantaged and low income populations in Indiana. IACED members are organizations who rebuild distressed communities in Indiana through housing rehabilitation and construction; employment generating activities; real estate development; industrial and small business development; and social services.