CIM Group, a community-focused real estate and infrastructure owner, operator, lender and developer, and its affiliate Centennial Yards Company, the master developer of a $5 billion mixed-use development in Downtown Atlanta, announced today that they have entered into a strategic partnership with Project Destined, a leading social impact investment and education platform that provides apprenticeship-style training to students and military veterans seeking careers in the commercial real estate industry.

Since its founding in 2016, Project Destined has worked with more than 4,500 participants in 35 cities across the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, and Europe. CIM Group and Centennial Yards Company’s partnership will support Project Destined and its mission to provide training in financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and real estate to students from underserved communities in Atlanta.

In early 2022, CIM Group partnered with Project Destined in Los Angeles to teach participants the fundamentals of commercial real estate, including themed workshops, asset tours, and an executive speaker series across an intensive eight-week period.

“CIM Group values our partnership with Project Destined as it brings leadership to building diversity, equity and inclusion in the real estate industry. Since affiliating with Project Destined earlier this year, we have seen firsthand how the programs can aid in developing skills and enriching the professional opportunities for these young future leaders,” said Avi Shemesh, Co-Founder and Principal, CIM Group.

Centennial Yards is one of the largest and most ambitious city center developments in the country, transforming 50 acres in Downtown Atlanta to connect surrounding communities and destinations while creating several new city blocks. Centennial Yards Company serves as the master developer of Centennial Yards and consists of a partnership between an affiliate of CIM Group and a group led by Tony Ressler.

“Our Centennial Yards team looks forward to working with Project Destined to support diversity in the real estate industry and mentoring talented future leaders in our community. As active participants, we will collaborate with Project Destined on programs tailored to the challenges and opportunities presented in Atlanta,” said Brian McGowan, President, Centennial Yards Company.

Project Destined leverages a work-based learning approach where students join executives to evaluate actual commercial real estate deals in their community and compete in a pitch competition to industry leaders to earn scholarships. CIM mentors will prepare, engage, and guide students one-on-one to help them develop a range of fundamentals—including financial, technical, presentation, and leadership skills—designed to aid them in obtaining internships, certifications, and full-time employment, launching their careers in commercial real estate.

“We are excited to expand our partnership with CIM Group and Centennial Yards to grow our work in the Atlanta market,” said Cedric Bobo, Co-Founder of Project Destined. “CIM Group and Centennial Yards have invested incredible resources to provide students with mentoring, exposure and networking opportunities. We are proud to partner to prepare students for potential careers in real estate.”

About CIM Group

CIM is a community-focused real estate and infrastructure owner, operator, lender and developer. Since 1994, CIM has sought to create value in projects and positively impact the lives of people in communities across the Americas by delivering more than $60 billion of essential real estate and infrastructure projects. CIM’s diverse team of experts applies its broad knowledge and disciplined approach through hands-on management of real assets from due diligence to operations through disposition. CIM strives to make a meaningful difference in the world by executing key environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives and enhancing each community in which it invests. For more information, visit www.cimgroup.com.

About Centennial Yards

Centennial Yards is a $5 billion mixed-use destination in Atlanta, the Southeast's biggest and most influential market. As one of the largest and most ambitious city-center developments in the country, Centennial Yards will transform 50 acres in downtown Atlanta to connect surrounding communities and destinations, while creating several new city blocks. Designed by Foster + Partners and Perkins&Will, Centennial Yards will offer 8 million square feet of world-class opportunities for dynamic retail, entertainment, commercial office, residential and hotel, as well as a vibrant public realm that will offer open spaces and outdoor gathering spaces to all Atlantans and visitors of Centennial Yards. Anchored by major Downtown sporting and entertainment attractions, including State Farm Arena and Mercedes-Benz Stadium, as well as several MARTA stations connecting the campus with the rest of the city, Centennial Yards will bring increased connectivity, walkability, and 24/7 living to the heart of the city. Centennial Yards Company serves as the master developer of Centennial Yards and consists of a partnership between an affiliate of CIM Group and a group led by Tony Ressler. For more information visit centennialyards.com.

About Project Destined

Project Destined is a leading social impact platform that provides training in financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and real estate. Project Destined partners with corporations, schools, and non-profits to deliver training using its proprietary e-learning platform and live courses. Project Destined leverages a work-based learning approach where students work with executives to evaluate live deals in their community and present them in a pitch competition to industry leaders. Scholars emerge with the skills, confidence, experiences, and networks that prepare them to secure a strong first job and become stakeholders in their community. For more information, please visit projectdestined.com.

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