Community development and housing leader Eric A. Frey II of Columbus has been honored by Prosperity Indiana with one of its top statewide awards, which also includes a local charitable donation.
Frey, executive director of Columbus-based Southern Indiana Housing and Community Development Corporation, was presented the John Niederman Rural Development Leadership Award at the 2022 Prosperity Indiana Summit in February. He was one of four Hoosiers honored.
Each award winner selected a nonprofit recipient for a cash donation from Prosperity Indiana. Frey, who serves as a board member for the Lincoln-Central Neighborhood Family Center, selected that organization as the recipient of the award’s $1,000 donation.
Frey said he was honored and humbled to receive the award. “Community development is a team sport. This award affirms the hard work of my team, the support of my two boards of directors and the commitment of our community partners. I am grateful to Prosperity Indiana and Fifth Third Bank for this award.”
Prosperity Indiana said that “with more than 28 years of experience in acquisition and administration of federal, state and private grant programs in rural communities, Eric Frey knows the ins and outs of Community Development Block Grant program administration and how to lead industrial and economic development, housing rehabilitation and capital improvements projects, and commercial, industrial and microenterprise lending programs.”
Frey was described to award judges as someone who is always finding creative ways to reach goals and orchestrating the right people at the right time to do so.
The Summit Awards Ceremony celebrated leaders and innovators in the community economic development field. Winners were nominated by their peers and chosen by a judging committee.
“Eric’s innovative thinking and passion for providing affordable housing and home ownership opportunities have made him a leader in our area and across the state of Indiana,” said Diane Doup, SIHCDC board member and member of the LCNFC staff. “He is strategically innovative in building partnerships that build affordable living opportunities, which build thriving communities. The SIHCDC Board of Directors is proud of the work Eric provides and appreciate Prosperity Indiana recognizing that good work through this award.”
The Indiana Association for Community Economic Development, doing business as Prosperity Indiana, provides advocacy, leverages resources and engages members to create inclusive opportunities that build assets and improve lives. Since its founding in 1986, Prosperity Indiana’s network has grown to nearly 200 organizations, representing thousands of practitioners statewide from the public, private and nonprofit sectors.
