The LCDC, as it's commonly called, was recognized for its accomplishments to drive small business and community improvement projects in North Tonawanda in 2010, former Development Coordinator Chuck Bell said.

The firm was selected from among others throughout a large part of the state, based on a proposal compiled by Lynn Oswald, director of the Niagara Small Business Development Center based at Niagara County Community College.

Bell, who is about to leave for a promotion heading up a similar department in the City of Lockport, said his working relationship with the small business development center, a group that functions under the Small Business Administration umbrella, has been indispensable.

"(Oswald) put together a nomination package for us late last year, about the LCDC, about the projects we've been involved with," Bell said.  "For a local development company, LCDC is extremely involved in community planning and special projects."

Oswald, who Bell credits for drawing attention for such accomplishments, could not be reached late Thursday for comment, but Bell said the package made mention of local projects and planning initiatives in which LCDC took a role uncommon among most, similar entities across the country.

While economic development companies are often involved solely with low-interest lending to encourage job creation, in North Tonawanda, Bell and company have raised the bar.

For example, taking a lead role in projects at Gratwick-Riverside Park, burgeoning redevelopment plans for the former city marina, the recent creation of a master plan to guide future city zoning, numerous physical upgrades on Webster Street and the surrounding area and other initiatives, including helping map out funding for the Remington Lofts on Sweeney Street, are above and beyond the most common function of the LCDC's counterparts elsewhere.

"Those are the kinds of things that you would not see your typical economic development company involved with," he said.

Bell, who is taking a significant promotion and pay raise in Lockport after seven years working under LCDC Director Jim Sullivan, said he is particularly impressed with North Tonawanda's board of directors, which he called "spectacular and innovative."

He said he's not worried the momentum will slow in the Lumber City.

"I was really impressed that the board of directors actually dove into purchasing 64 Webster Street to turn it into a boutique hotel." he said.  "It's not there yet but it's going to get there because the board wants to see it through."

Those projects are in addition to myriad other grant-leveraged projects and low interest lending initiatives designed to help local businesses.  The organization is self-funded, and pays itself out of the value it creates for others.

The Niagara Small Business Development Center provides management and technical assistance, such as business planning, marketing strategies, cash-flow projections, and financial analysis, according to a statement on the Niagara County Community College website.

Sullivan agreed the award by the greater Small Business Administration is an acknowledgement by the group of all that LCDC has done to serve their primary constituents, being small business owners and economic development interests.

Though Bell said the acknowledgement is cause to reflect as he plans the next phase of his career, he said "the best is yet to come."  "I'm really glad," he said.  "I wasn't expecting the announcement yet.  It feels to me like the perfect send-off that our board, our organization, is really being recognized for what we've accomplished."

In the years since the LCDC has been functioning, North Tonawanda has transformed its image from a cottage community with a largely unrefined downtown, to a boater and summer events destination catering to lively shopping and nightlife all year long.

Or at least, that's the impression that's starting to emerge.  Sullivan said the SBA honor is the most significant recognition of that push yet, and the first such acknowledgment to come from outside the city.  He cited the LCDC motto:  "Onward."

HSBC Bank is hosting a reception May 9th in Buffalo, where Bell, Sullivan and others will be honored for their accomplishments.