Finalists for the eighth annual Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation (MANDI) have been announced by Cecelia Gore, program officer of the Jane Bradley Pettit Foundation.

The awards honor nonprofit community groups and their partners involved in revitalizing Milwaukee neighborhoods. Gore chaired the independent selection committee that reviewed 41 nominations for awards in five major categories.

All finalists will be honored, and the winners of each award will be announced at a reception and awards ceremony on Thursday, March 15, 2007, at 5 p.m. at the Pfister Hotel.

The MANDI award categories and the finalists are:

- The Cornerstone Award

Milwaukee Center for Independence (MCFI)

Riverworks Development Corp.

Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corp. (WWBIC)

Local Initiatives Support Corp. (LISC)

- The Navigator Award

Hugo Cardona, president and CEO of La Causa Inc.

Lo Neng Kiatoukaysy, executive director of the Hmong American Friendship Association.

Antonio Riley, executive director of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority.

- The State Farm Insurance and Financial Services Building Blocks Large Project Award

Cherry Court, 1525 N. 24th St., Milwaukee, developed by the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee.

Dr. Wesley L. Scott Senior Living Community, 2802 W. Wright St.,

Milwaukee, developed by Gorman and Co. and the Milwaukee Urban League.

Park East Enterprise Lofts, 1407-41 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Milwaukee, developed by Gorman & Co.

- The State Farm Insurance and Financial Services Building Blocks Small Project Award

3500 W. National Ave., Milwaukee, developed by Layton Boulevard West Neighbors.

New Village Townhouses, 2718 N. 18th St., Milwaukee, developed by Commonwealth Development Corp.

Toussaint Square, 3401-33 W. North Ave., Milwaukee, developed by North Avenue Community Development Corp.

- The Trailblazer Award

Growing Power Inc.

Milwaukee College Preparatory School.

Milwaukee Housing Trust Fund Coalition.

- The Vision Award

P&H Mining.

Foley & Lardner LLP.

Eleven Metropolitan Builders Association builders (Bartelt Filo, Brookstone Homes Inc., Carmel Builders Inc., Colby Construction Co. Inc., Hickory Hill Homes Inc., James Craig Builders Inc., Joseph Douglas Homes, Matt Hall & Son Home Builders Inc., MasterCraft Builders Inc., BDC Building Design & Construction Inc., and William Ryan Homes Inc.) and more than 85 associate members.

For more information on the MANDI awards or to attend the banquet, contact LISC program director Leo Ries at (414) 273-1815.