FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

BEDC HOSTING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE

BROOKLYN, NY-February 16, 2001-Brooklyn Economic Development Corp. (BEDC) is hosting an economic development conference, Brooklyn Neighborhoods: Big City Commerce, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 1, 2001 at the Brooklyn Marriott. After the main program, free workshops and exhibits will be held from 2:30 to 6 p.m.

"This conference was planned with an eye toward the future," said Joan Bartolomeo, president of BEDC. "Although Brooklyn is a city of neighborhoods, we are not divorced from the influences of regional, national, even global demographic and social changes. If Brooklyn is to remain a viable and livable community, we have to consider innovative strategies to positively respond to these changes."

Roy O. Priest, president and CEO of the National Congress for Community Economic Development in Washington, D.C. is the keynote speaker for the event. Mr. Priest, a well-known and respected leader and expert on urban economic development, previously directed the Office of Economic Development at HUD.

A panel discussion on Economic Development Strategies and Neighborhoods will include six panelists, including participation by Harvey Lichtenstein, chairman of the Brooklyn Academy of Music Local Development Corp., who will discuss the Role of Cultural Institutions, and Monique Greenwood, editor-in-chief of Essence Magazine, who will discuss Community Development Through Grassroots Entrepreneurship.

A second panel on Education and Skills Training Strategies will include six panelists, including moderator Frank Macchiarola, Ph.D., president of St. Francis College, who will discuss Education and the Labor Market: The Debate in Perspective, and panelist Byron McClenney, Ed.D., president of Kingsborough Community College, who will discuss Community College Contributions to Economic Development.

In the afternoon, the conference will feature a free Business Expo and Youth Conference. Two workshops for small businesses will be held, Building Equity and Financing Your Business and Marketing Your Business. In addition, three concurrent workshops for youth will be featured, Personal Finance, Entrepreneurship Workshop, and Job Readiness. Nonprofit corporations and corporate sponsors will participate in the Business Expo.

The U.S. Economic Development Administration and Councilman Kenneth K. Fisher provided primary funding for the conference. Participating sponsors are Con Edison, Brooklyn Daily Eagle, KeySpan, EAB, HSBC, and Community Capital Bank.

BEDC, a private, nonprofit organization, was established in 1979 to stimulate Brooklyn's economy and create job opportunities for the borough and its residents. BEDC has evolved into a multi-service, business-consulting agency, serving more than 1,000 clients annually and offering comprehensive economic development services.

For more information, please contact Yvonne King at BEDC 718-522-4600 ext. 15. To register, please see the BEDC Web site (www.bedc.org).