CFEDC Presents – Sustainable Development in the Cape Fear Region: The $1.13M HUD Regional Planning Grant
January 24th, 2012
- CFEDC Mixer: 5PM – 6PM
- Panel discussion: 6:00 – 7:30 PM
WHQR Gallery (third floor), 254 N Front St.
The Lower Cape Fear Sustainable Communities Consortium has been awarded a $1.13 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Sustainable Communities Initiative to develop a regional plan for sustainable development for New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick Counties.
Two panelists, Wanda Coston and Ben Andrea (see bios below), presented the study, goals & opportunities of their recent HUD Regional Planning Grant award at our January fourth-Tuesday event. This event provided the first chance for many participants to hear and ask questions about the group’s plan. There was a discussion of the process, goals and history of the group as well.
Panelist biographies
Wanda Coston, Graduate of The Ohio State University Graduate Program with a Master Degree of City and Regional Planning and a Master Degree of Social Work. Presently, the Community Development Planner in the Long Range Planning Section, with over twenty five years of planning and community development experience. Wanda’s primary responsibilities include grant writing, neighborhood planning, demographics, Community Development Block Grant Program administration and management and sewer and water connections assistance for primarily low and moderate income persons. Wanda is also responsible for the administration and management of the County’s hazard mitigation/disaster recovery efforts as it relates to providing housing assistance.
Ben Andrea has served as a Planner with Pender County for the past three years where he focuses on a variety of development review and long-range planning efforts, including commercial and residential development review, analysis, interpretation, and recommendations on the county’s land use policies and regulations, small area planning, economic development grant administration, parks and recreation planning and grant administration, and coordination with local non-profits to support and facilitate grassroots community efforts. Ben’s previous experience includes work in both the public and private sectors, serving in a variety of positions related to coastal development review and enforcement, environmental advocacy, outreach, and education, and small business management. Ben is a graduate of the University of North Carolina Wilmington, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies concentrating in Coastal Environmental Management and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration concentrating in Finance. Ben is a member of the American Planning Association, a NC Low Impact Development Certified Professional, a NC Certified Zoning Official, and also a small business owner.
