Port staff member receives certification

Peter Zahirsky recognized by National Development Council

Peter Zahirsky has now become a professional’s professional.

The Lake County Ohio Port and Economic Development Authority staff member, who serves the body as director of coastal development, recently completed the final course toward certification as an Economic Development Finance Professional from the National Development Council.

The certification is a specialized credential given to individuals who complete the council’s intensive economic development finance training series.

According to the council, the training provides individuals working in the field of economic development with instruction in business credit analysis, real estate financing, loan packaging, deal structuring and negotiating, and the creation and imple- mentation of development programs.

Each of the four EDFP Certification Program courses run five days in length and concludes with an exam. Upon successful completion of all four courses, the candidate is awarded EDFP Certification.

The council’s work also focuses on increasing the flow of capital for investment in low-income communities, especially through the preservation and creation of affordable housing, the creation of jobs through training and small business lending, and the promotion of livable communities through investment in social infrastructure.

The council’s products and services are deployed for the benefit of its municipal and nonprofit partners in both urban and rural low-income communities.

To date, the National Development Council to has provided training to over 70,000 individuals working in the fields of economic and housing development, with participants from diverse backgrounds, including city and state governments, public agencies, community-based organizations, professional organizations and banks.

The council is headquartered in New York City with offices in Washington, D.C., Seattle, Cleveland and Edgewood, Kentucky.

The training was made possible by the Greater Cleveland Partnership and

Cleveland Development Advisors. In 2019, both organizations provided scholarships for the Economic Development Finance Professional certification to more than 30 individuals throughout Greater Cleveland.

Certifications are anticipated to be completed by the end of 2020.

“Greater Cleveland Partnership is always focused on improving the economic vitality of the region,” said Senior Vice President Deb Janik. “Continued investment in our economic development professionals is critical to our success.

“These individuals are on the front lines providing Greater Cleveland businesses with the highest quality of service possible in order to accelerate their growth and development.”

Zahirsky’s role is to spearhead the Port Authority’s part in the implementation of Lake County’s coastal development plans in partnership with local communities and other county organizations.

“I am very grateful to the Port Authority for supporting my participation in this program and to GCP and CDA for investing in the talent of economic development professionals in the region,” Zahirsky said. “I am excited to apply the skills I learned to advancing economic development in Lake County.”

Port Authority Director David Anderson described the certification as an additional tool in Zahirsky’s professional arsenal.

“Peter is an outstanding young executive,” Anderson said.

“This further increases his value to the Port and Lake County. We’re fortunate to have him working for Lake County’s residents and businesses.”

Zahirsky