84 Lumber Supports Community Economic Development in America's Communities

Company will sponsor a national award

WASHINGTON, March 11, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Community Action Partnership has announced that 84 Lumber Company will sponsor its Annual National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Award, which recognizes outstanding efforts promoting community development as a core strategy to increase economic security and reduce poverty.

The National Entrepreneurship and Innovation award was created last year to honor Community Action Agencies' exemplary community economic development initiatives that are helping low-income people and communities, especially during these challenging financial times. Fourteen Community Action Agencies received the inaugural awards in 2010 for work in areas such as Community Revitalization, Affordable Housing, Energy Efficiency, and Job Creation.  

"84 Lumber understands Community Action and has been a great partner and supporter of our work helping low-income individuals and families become self-sufficient.  They are actively involved in our Community Action Agencies' Weatherization efforts - providing state-of-the-art building materials and supplies to help make the houses of low-income homeowners more energy efficient," said Stacy Flowers, the Partnership's Director of Community Economic Development.  "84 Lumber appreciates CAAs' uncanny ability to anticipate and meet ever-changing community needs with effective and proven programs, so they are a natural fit for our National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Award."

The award is one of several efforts underway at the Partnership to raise the visibility of Community Action Agencies that are taking the lead and excelling at creating new economic opportunities for their communities. It is part of the organization's new Community Economic Development Exemplary Practice initiative, which is designed to identify and promote successful community economic development best practices.  

"Amid an increased demand for services, Community Action Agencies across the country are demonstrating their unique ability to respond proactively to community needs in original and cost-effective ways," said Maggie Hardy Magerko, President and Owner.  "The National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Award provides a prestigious platform for spotlighting these innovative efforts and 84 Lumber is proud to sponsor it."

Founded in 1956 and headquartered in Eighty Four, PA, 84 Lumber Company is the largest privately held supplier of building materials, manufactured components and industry leading services to the new home and commercial construction markets. The company operates 277 stores and component manufacturing plants in 35 states representing the top 150 markets in the country. Many stores include manufacturing facilities such as door shops and engineered wood centers and also offer turn-key installed construction services for insulation, framing, windows, roofing and after paint products. For more information please visit www.84lumber.com.

Based in Washington, DC, the Community Action Partnership provides training and other services to more than 1,000 Community Action Agencies across America that are helping low-income people and families improve their lives, strengthen their communities and embody the spirit of hope.

For more information, visit www.communityactionpartnership.com.

SOURCE Community Action Partnership