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Community Empowerment Board Newsletter
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1
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THE WHITE HOUSE
0/28/95
WASHINGTON
JUN
June 21, 1995
26
MEMORANDUM TO:
MARCIA HALE
ALEXIS HERMAN
KITTY HIGGINS
DOUG SOSNICK
LORRAINE VOLES
LORRIE MCHUGH
FROM:
SHERYLL CASHIN
Staff Director, Community Empowerment Board
SUBJECT:
Community Empowerment Board Newsletter
Attached you will find the first issue of the Community Empowerment Board (CEB)
News, compiled by our CEB staff to highlight the activities and success stories of the 105
urban and rural areas designated as Empowerment Zones (EZs) or Enterprise Communities
(ECs) by the President last December. We intend to publish this newsletter on a regular basis.
As you can see, a variety of exciting projects are underway in EZ/EC communities. In
addition, executive branch agencies are devoting an impressive number of resources to this
initiative and working hard to provide EZs and ECs with a one-stop Federal response to their
needs.
We are sending this newsletter to all EZs and ECs and are encouraging them to
distribute it throughout their communities so that residents and other partners in this effort can
learn about other communities' activities. Please feel free to share the newsletter with any
individuals or organizations you feel might be interested in this information.
If you or your staff have any questions about EZ/EC activities or about our efforts to
promote the EZ/EC initiative, please fecl free to call me on x65369.
cc:
Jack Quinn
Carol Rasco
Laura Tyson
COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT BOARD NEWS
providing the latest information on the Empowerment Zone/Enterprise Community program
June 1995
"[There] needs to be a new partnership between Washington and the communities and the
individuals of this country, and there needs to be a way of doing business in which we try to
create the conditions in which people can seize opportunities for themselves"
President Clinton, January 17, 1994
Announcement of the EZ/EC Application Process
A MESSAGE FROM VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE
Hundred-million-dollar private sector investments. Business expansions. One-stop federal coordination.
Unprecedented community partnerships. Great progress has already been made in Empowerment Zones and
Enterprise Communities across the country, as we embark on a challenging 10-year reinvestment process.
In August 1993, President Clinton signed the Empowerment Zone/Enterprise Communities (EZ/EC) initiative into
law. Shortly thereafter, he asked me to serve as the chair of the Community Empowerment Board, or CEB, a
government-wide entity that is supporting the implementation of the EZ/EC program.
The EZ/EC initiative targets $2.5 billion in federal tax incentives and $1.3 billion in flexible grant assistance to
distressed urban and rural areas. It is designed to revitalize economies that have been abandoned by private industry,
create jobs for residents of inner cities and impoverished rural areas, and help communities rebuild themselves from
the inside out. Last year, over 500 communities across America responded to this challenge in an application process
that forged new partnerships among community residents, business people, state and local government, and non-
profit institutions. In December 1994, the Administration announced EZ/EC designations for 105 of these
communities in 42 states.
Right now, community leaders are working hard to deliver on promises to their communities by developing
performance benchmarks and governance structures that truly reflect the needs of local EZ and EC residents. And
local partners -- in government, in business, in the foundation community -- are fulfilling their commitments of
financial and technical resources in order to turn these EZs' and ECs' strategic plans into successful realities.
At the federal level, we also are working diligently to establish a whole new way of doing business. To demonstrate
our commitment, the CEB agencies have been directed to cut through bureaucratic red tape, streamline processing
of EZ/EC program requests, target technical assistance, and implement signature demonstrations in specific cities
and rural areas. Changing the way we do business has been a challenge. However, we recognize that a successful
local initiative requires a supportive and responsive federal government, and we intend to provide just that.
As we move forward in implementing the EZ/EC program, I anticipate many more challenges - and great successes
ahead. I am heartened by this successful beginning, and I look forward to working in true partnership with
America's communities to revitalize and restore opportunity for our great cities and rural heartlands.
IN THIS ISSUE
Chrysler Announces $750 Million Plant in Detroit EZ: Page 2
Kentucky Highlands Celebrates MOA Signing: Page 5
Foundations Bring Southern ECs Together: Page 2
L.A. Launches Community Development Bank: Page 5
FOCUS: Keeping Communities Involved in EZ/EC
EZ/EC Map: Page 6
Implementation: Page 3
Rural and Urban Enterprise Communities Begin Innovative
Rural Communities Start Projects With USDA Help: Page 3
Revitalization Projects: Page 7
Federal Agencies Commit Additional Resources to EZs and
END NOTES: Things are Happening in EZ/EC
ECs: Page 4
Communities!: Page 8
Page Two
DETROIT EZ LANDS
SOUTHERN ECs SHARE
$750 MILLION AUTO
IDEAS, STRATEGIES AT
PLANT -- Chrysler Investment
FORUM SPONSORED BY
One of Many Private-Sector
FOUNDATIONS
Commitments
Throughout this year, a number of southern
The Chrysler Corporation accepted the "EZ
Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities
challenge" this spring, when it announced that it will
(ECs) have been participating in an unprecedented
invest $750 million in a new engine plant to be built
regional coalition known as the Southern Enterprise
in Detroit's EZ. The plant will be located inside an
Communities (SEC) Forum. In February, these ECs
existing assembly facility and is expected to employ
came together for the first time in Jackson,
up to 1,000 workers. President Clinton and Vice
Mississippi to share success stories and find
President Gore congratulated Mayor Dennis Archer
solutions to common challenges. Jackson was one
and Chrysler Chairman Robert Eaton for bringing
of the participating communities as were ECs from
about this substantial commitment of private sector
New Orleans, LA; Monroe, LA; Pulaski County,
investment in the Detroit EZ. Speaking via
AR; Macon Ridge, LA; Northeast Louisiana
telephone during the Chrysler announcement, the
Delta, LA; Eastern Arkansas; Mississippi County,
President and Vice President emphasized the
AR; North Delta, MS; and the Mid-Delta
importance of private sector investment in rebuilding
Empowerment Zone, MS. Since then, three ECs
Empowerment Zone communities.
from two more states -- Tennessee and Missouri --
Chrysler is not alone in its commitment to
have been invited to join the group.
the Detroit Empowerment Zone. The Detroit
The Foundation for the Mid-South and the
business and banking communities have pledged to
Enterprise Corporation of the Delta helped organize
invest more than $2 billion in the Zone area, and
the SEC Forum. These not-for-profit foundations
several private-sector organizations have already
assist community-based organizations in Arkansas,
made this promise a reality. Another automaker,
Louisiana, and Mississippi in their efforts to improve
General Motors, plans to spend about $200 million
social and economic conditions in the region. As a
to expand and improve its Detroit-Hamtrammack
result, they see a clear connection between their
assembly plant, capitalizing on EZ tax incentives
mission and the goals of the EZ/EC program.
such as the $3,000 income tax credit for hiring Zone
Although the seven Southern Enterprise
residents.
Communities have diverse needs, SEC
Smaller businesses have also begun to invest
representatives have found that there is great benefit
in Detroit's EZ. Bill Laimbeer and Vinnie Johnson,
to collaboration. Mid-South President George Penick
teammates on the World Champion Detroit Pistons
noted that communities particularly have benefitted
basketball team, announced that their company,
from sharing first-hand knowledge of others
Pistons Packaging, would build a factory in the
experiences in grant-writing and administration.
Detroit EZ and employ up to 125 people to make
SEC representatives have pledged to
corrugated boxes. And the trade conglomerate O-J
continue meeting on a quarterly basis, and a second
Group announced the creation of a large-scale
forum was held in Monroe, Louisiana in May.
transportation center in southwest Detroit.
Carol Rasco, Assistant to the President for Domestic
Detroit's early success with its economic
Policy, attended the meeting and commented that she
redevelopment efforts have not gone unnoticed. As
found the group "excited about releasing the
the Los Angeles Times observed earlier this year, "In
potential within their communities for genuine
Detroit, there is a palpable sense of optimism for the
development of their citizens' capacities."
first time since Jimmy Carter was President. To hear
The CEB commends the Mid-South
some talk, the nation's auto capital is on the move
Foundation and the Enterprise Corporation of the
again and will become a model city early in the 21st
Delta for facilitating collaboration among ECs. We
Century."
encourage other organizations to sponsor similar
regional conferences.
Page Three
***COMMUNITY FOCUS****
RURAL COMMUNITIES
PHILADELPHIA/CAMDEN EZ
RECEIVE ADDITIONAL
NEIGHBORHOODS KEEP
RESIDENTS INVOLVED
FUNDING FROM USDA;
Community-Wide Elections, Resident
BEGIN EZ/EC PROJECTS
Organizers Among Strategies
Rural EZs and ECs are developing industrial
Last year, communities across the nation
parks, building bridges, establishing low-interest
forged unprecedented local partnerships during the
loan funds, and implementing a variety of other
EZ/EC application process. Resident involvement
revitalization projects thanks to significant additional
was a key component to winning applications, and in
funding earmarked by the U.S. Department of
the six months since designation, EZs and ECs have
Agriculture for EZ/EC communities. USDA has set
worked to maintain this level of community
aside nearly $72 million across a large number of
participation throughout the implementation process
the agency's rural development grant programs --
to ensure that the EZ/EC program remains a truly
about $58 million of these funds have been
"bottom-up" initiative.
distributed already and rural communities are
Neighborhoods in the Philadelphia-Camden
moving forward on many exciting EZ/EC projects as
a result.
bi-state Empowerment Zone exemplify communities
that have risen to this challenge. Using innovative
*
Five rural EZ/EC communities -- in Michigan,
strategies to incorporate a diverse cross-section of
Mississippi, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Kentucky
community members into the formal governance
have received $3.3 million in grants to establish
structure of its Zone, EZ neighborhoods in
revolving loan funds for small businesses, saving
Philadelphia-Camden have capitalized on the
existing jobs and creating hundreds of new ones.
expertise and energy of community residents.
*A hardwood veneer mill is being built in
A NEIGHBORHOOD-BASED STRATEGY
Mississippi's North Delta EC using nearly $2
Philadelphia-Camden's bi-state Zone is made
million in USDA grants. This mill is an important
up of four neighborhoods, and while a regional EZ
part of the EC's economic revitalization strategy, as
board will oversee the process, it was decided that
it will provide nearly 100 jobs to area residents.
funds would be allocated separately to each
*
neighborhood based on population. As each
Nearly $1.5 million in economic development
neighborhood would be responsible for allocating
funds will allow EC leaders in Scott County,
EZ resources, leveraging additional commitments,
Tennessee to develop an industrial park which could
and determining priority projects, it was clear that a
create nearly 400 jobs. Fayette County, Tennessee
community-driven governance structure was
also is creating over 200 jobs through EC-related
essential to the success of this process.
construction activity.
In January of this year, ballots were sent to
* San Luis, Arizona's rural EC is using nearly half
every residence in Philadelphia's Zone
a million dollars in USDA grant money to construct
neighborhoods to encourage residents to nominate
a bridge connecting the town's business center to
themselves as candidates for the permanent EZ
residential areas. The EC estimates that 50-75 jobs
governing board.
will be saved by this project.
"DEMOCRACY IN ACTION"
* Pennsylvania's Lock Haven EC is using $75,000
As Philadelphia's Executive Director of
in USDA funding to purchase computers for a
Community Service Donna Cooper described,
technology job training center. This grant has
democracy was in action as candidates campaigned
leveraged over $150,000 in additional funding
throughout their neighborhoods -- passing out flyers
commitments from 18 local businesses and non-
and making announcements on loudspeakers in their
profit organizations.
efforts to win community support for their
candidacy. Residents also had the opportunity to
Continued on Page Seven
Page Four
FEDERAL AGENCIES RESPOND TO EZ/EC NEEDS
Grants and Targeted Programs Enhance Communities' Projects
EZ/EC block grant funds and tax incentives are not the only resources communities can use in rebuilding
and revitalizing their zone areas. CEB member agencies already have granted supplemental funding and program
preferences to a number of EZs and ECs. In addition, Federal agencies are working closely with communities in
implementing "signature initiatives" that will match Federal programs with each EZ's and EC's implementation
goals. For example:
*Rural EZs and ECs are benefitting from significant additional funding - about $72 million has been earmarked to
date -- as a result of the Department of Agriculture's priority grant programs for EZ/EC communities. (See a
related article on Page Three.)
*The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has targeted a significant portion of its economic
development grant money to EZ/EC communities. The grants will assist these areas in implementing housing,
economic, and community development activities that were outlined in their strategic plans.
*The Small Business Administration has pledged to open "One-Stop Capital Shops" in interested Empowerment
Zones and Enhanced Enterprise Communities, providing small businesses with comprehensive financial and business
technical assistance in one convenient location within the EZ/EC.
*At the Environmental Protection Agency, all EZ and EC designees and applicants receive automatic priority for
the agency's Brownfields Economic Redevelopment Pilot grant awards. These grants will assist communities in
revitalizing abandoned contaminated properties, to eliminate potential health risks and restore economic vitality to
areas where these properties exist. EPA has been on the ground providing technical assistance to EZ/EC
communities nationwide who are applying for Brownfields funds.
*At least two EZ/EC communities will be among the five areas awarded federal youth crime prevention funds by
the Department of Justice's Safe Futures Program. DOJ staff also have been helping many communities in the
important task of integrating EZ crime prevention strategies with existing federal programs, allowing EZs and ECs
to maximize their resources in this area.
*The Department of Education is allocating all of its FY 1995 "21st Century Learning Center" grants to EZ
communities. The application period has just opened for this funding, which can be used for a wide variety of school
reform activities in the Zones.
At the Corporation for National Service, all EZs and ECs receive priority preference for Americorps* USA
funding. The Corporation also will provide two VISTA leaders -- experienced community service organizers -- in
a number of EZs and ECs.
*The Office of National Drug Control Policy has established new "mini-HIDTA" -- or High-Intensity Drug
Trafficking Area -- grants that are targeted to EZ areas in which there is a high level of drug trafficking activity.
This funding will give $1 million each to three EZ communities -- money that can be used to strengthen and expand
prevention and enforcement programs.
These are only a few examples of the many targeted assistance opportunities that CEB agencies have made available
to EZs and ECs. For more information on CEB agency resources, interested communities can obtain the EZ/EC
Task Force's "Guidebook to Federal Programs." Copies can be requested by contacting the Task Force at (202) 619-
0314.
Page Five
KENTUCKY
LOS ANGELES BREAKS
HIGHLANDS RURAL
NEW GROUND WITH
EZ IS FIRST TO SIGN
THE NATION'S
MOA -- Now Moving Forward
LARGEST
With Implementation
COMMUNITY
The
Kentucky
Highlands
Rural
DEVELOPMENT BANK
Empowerment Zone passed an important EZ/EC
milestone last month when it became the first
$660 Million in Public and Private Investments
community to complete its performance
for L.A.'s Distressed Communities
benchmarking process. Kentucky Governor
Hundreds of community residents gathered together
Brereton Jones joined community leaders, business
in South Central Los Angeles on May 10 to
people, state and local elected officials, and federal
celebrate the creation of the Los Angeles
representatives on May 3 to sign a Memorandum of
Community Development Bank (LACDB). The
Agreement, or MOA, with the Department of
LACDB is no ordinary commercial bank. Modeled
Agriculture.
on the experiences of banks like the South Shore
Kentucky Highlands, like other EZ/EC
Bank of Chicago, the LACDB is designed to
communities, worked intensively throughout the
provide funds for local businesses and community
spring to develop performance benchmarks, an
based-organizations in an effort to stimulate job
exercise designed to transform the broad
creation and business growth in Los Angeles'
revitalization strategies of the Zone's winning
poorest communities.
strategic plan into a workplan of specific community
The LACDB is the result of extraordinary
development projects in the first two years.
cooperation between the Federal government and the
The MOA document, co-signed by federal
private sector. The Department of Housing and
and state officials as well as the Zone's local
Urban Development awarded Los Angeles a total of
leadership, formalized the establishment of the
$450 million in Economic Development Initiative
performance benchmarks and signified the
funds and Section 108 loan guarantees. Bank of
continuing partnership between the federal
America, First Interstate Bank, Union Bank, and
government and the EZ/ECs.
Wells Fargo Bank have also committed a total of
With the benchmarks completed and MOA
$210 million to the LACDB. When these
signed, Kentucky Highlands has begun to use its $40
contributions are fully leveraged, it is estimated that
million EZ grant to turn its ideas into action. One of
the LACDB will invest over $1 billion to stimulate
the first of the Zone's major community
job creation and business growth.
revitalization projects is a chicken processing plant
Vice President Al Gore joined Los Angeles
that aims to create 1,000 jobs in the heart of this
Mayor Richard Riordan in announcing this
economically distressed area. To lessen the area's
remarkable partnership. The LACDB is "not just a
dependence on tobacco farming, another major
grant of money," said the Vice President. "It is a
initiative will provide subsidies and other resources
extremely, carefully designed program -- designed
to farmers to encourage growth of alternative crops.
by the community, put together by leaders within the
All rural and urban EZ/EC communities
community, who have long experience in figuring
currently are developing similar performance
out how to get capital in the hands of entrepreneurs
measurement and accountability standards. EZ/EC
and small-business owners and people who can
officials are optimistic that the remarkable
create jobs."
partnerships and concrete program goals that have
Mayor Riordan praised these inner-city
emerged from this intensive work of the past six
revitalization efforts, saying, "The keystone to
months will provide a solid foundation for the ten
empowerment is jobs, quality jobs for all residents.
years of the EZ/EC program.
That is what the Community Development Bank is
all about."
Page Six
WHERE ARE THE COMMUNITIES?
0
8
URBAN
RURAL
Empowerment Zone
Empowerment Zone
Supplemental Empowerment Zone
Enterprise Community
Enhanced Enterprise Community
Enterprise Community
EMPOWERMENT ZONE (EZ)
Connecticut: Bridgeport
North Carolina: Charlotte
Georgia: Atlanta
Connecticut: New Haven
North Carolina: Halifax, Edgecombe.
Illinois: Chicago
Delaware: Wilmington
Wilson Counties*
Kentucky: Kentucky Highlands*
District of Columbia: Washington
North Carolina: Robeson County*
Maryland: Baltimore
Florida: Jackson County*
Ohio: Akron
Michigan: Detroit
Florida: Tampa
Ohio: Columbus
Mississippi: Mid Delta*
Florida: Miami, Dade County
Ohio: Greater Portsmouth*
New York: Harlem, Bronx
Georgia: Albany
Oklahoma: Choctaw, McCurtain
Pennsylvania/New Jersey: Philadelphia,
Georgia: Central Savannah*
Counties*
Camden
Georgia: Crisp, Dooley Counties*
Oklahoma: Oklahoma City
Texas: Rio Grande Valley*
Il!inois: East St. Louis
Oregon: Josephine*
Illinois: Springfield
Oregon: Portland
SUPPLEMENTAL EMPOWERMENT
Indiana: Indianapolis
Pennsylvania: Harrisburg
ZONE (SEZ)
Iowa: Des Moines
Pennsylvania: Lock Haven*
California: Los Angeles
Kentucky: Louisville
Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh
Ohio: Cleveland
Louisiana: Northeast Delta*
Rhode Island: Providence
Louisiana: Macon Ridge*
South Dakota: Beadle, Spink Counties*
ENHANCED ENTERPRISE
Louisiana: New Orleans
South Carolina: Charleston
COMMUNITY (EEC)
Louisiana: Ouachita Parish
South Carolina: Williamsburg County*
California: Oakland
Massachusetts: Lowell
Tennessee: Fayette, Haywood
Massachusetts: Boston
Massachusetts: Springfield
Counties*
Missouri/Kansas: Kansas City, Kansas
Michigan: Five Cap*
Tennessee: Memphis
City
Michigan: Flint
Tennessee: Nashville
Texas: Houston
Michigan: Muskegon
Tennessee/Kentucky: Scott, McCreary
Minnesota: Minneapolis
Counties*
ENTERPRISE COMMUNITY (EC)
Minnesota: St. Paul
Texas: Dallas
Alabama: Birmingham
Mississippi: Jackson
Texas: El Paso
Alabama: Chambers County*
Mississippi: North Delta*
Texas: San Antonio
Alabama: Greene. Sumter Counties*
Missouri: East Prairie*
Texas: Waco
Arizona: Phoenix
Missouri: St. Louis
Utah: Ogden
Arizona: Arizona Border*
Nebraska: Omaha
Vermont: Burlington
Arkansas: East Central*
Nevada: Clarke County, Las Vegas
Virginia: Accomac*
Arkansas: Mississippi County*
New Hampshire: Manchester
Virginia: Norfolk
Arkansas: Pulaski County
New Jersey: Newark
Washington: Lower Yakima*
California: Imperial County*
New Mexico: Albuquerque
Washington: Seattle
California: L.A., Huntington Park
New Mexico: Moro, Rio Arriba. Taos
Washington: Tacoma
California: San Diego
Counties*
West Virginia: West Central*
California: San Francisco, Bayview,
New York: Albany. Schenectady, Troy
West Virginia: Huntington
Hunter's Point
New York Buffalo
West Virginia McDowell*
California. Watsonville*
New York Newburgh, Kingston
Wisconsin: Milwaukee
Colorado: Denver
New York: Rochester
*
denotes rural designee
Page Seven
Urban ECs Reinvent
PHILADELPHIA/CAMDEN
Continued from Page Three
Government Through
vote for community candidates selected by the EZ's
issue committees, who would comprise another
One-Stop Centers
portion of the board. On the EZ's election day, 1200
Three Enterprise Communities have
ballots were cast throughout the neighborhoods.
embarked on their ambitious plans to consolidate
As a result of this electoral process, a
service and business opportunities in centralized
majority of each neighborhood's governing body,
locations. The ECs in Louisville, Minneapolis and
known as the Community Trust Board, was selected
Rochester have developed centers that reflect each
directly by community residents. The balance of
EC's interest in integrating social services,
the board membership is made up of leaders from
environmental services, or business opportunities.
all sectors of the community -- church leaders,
The grand opening of the Neighborhood
business people, educators, and others -- who lend
Place in Louisville took place on Friday, May 19.
expertise and resources to the Zone effort. But it is
the residents' enthusiasm that fuels the work of the
This integrated human services center will link
health programs, educational services, family
Community Trust Boards. "I want to show my
financial assistance, and job training and placement
children ten years from now that the future is
at a centralized location. Sylvia Johnson, director
different because of my involvement" in the board,
of the center, said "the staff at Neighborhood Place
said Iris Y. Torres, an elected resident representative
hope to be able to identify family services beyond
from the American Street neighborhood.
'quick fix' needs." In order to make the 30,000
Philadelphia also has created a network of
residents of the area "full partners" in the effort,
Community Service Organizers -- residents or
Johnson explained that the center will be overseen
long-term activists in EZ neighborhoods who serve
and staffed by community residents.
as full-time staff for the EZ program to ensure
The Minneapolis EC has received
continuous community involvement. Each organizer
considerable attention for its plans for an ambitious
works in the immediate EZ community, encouraging
eco-industrial park complex. Designed by local
additional resident involvement and working closely
residents, the Green Institute will include a business
with the Zone leadership.
incubator and an urban environmental education
Across the river in neighboring Camden,
center, as well as other services for community
Zone residents also directly elected community
residents.
leaders to the Camden Empowerment Trust
The Green Institute is located in the Phillips
Commission, which oversees the Camden EZ
neighborhood, the site of a 12-year struggle with
efforts. Camden Commissioner of Development and
the city by the neighborhood residents who defeated
Redevelopment Debra Polk described the process of
plans to build a large county garbage transfer
creating the Trust Commission (which also includes
station. The concept for the Green Institute sprang
Camden business people, church leaders, and local
from residents' interest in redirecting community
government officials) as "smooth," largely because
energy from "preventing something bad to creating
Camden moved quickly to establish the governance
something good," said Sam Grant, the chair for the
structure outlined in its winning application. Polk
institute's incubator. Grant expects that the Green
also noted that bringing together staff from different
Institute will create at least 200 jobs in the
departments of the Camden city government was an
neighborhood.
improvement on some past efforts where the
The Rochester, NY EC is serving the
departments had often worked in isolation.
business development needs of its neighborhoods by
Philadelphia-Camden's strategy is only one
co-locating a small business support center with a
example of how EZs and ECs nationwide are
job training center for community residents. The
ensuring substantive community participation in
EC's "One Stop Capital Shop" and its "Enterprise
their revitalization efforts. In Baltimore, EZ leaders
Community Employment Center" are already
are holding town hall meetings for hundreds of
providing EC residents with centralized services.
residents to discuss proposed multi-service "Village
Centers" in Zone neighborhoods. In Atlanta, EZ
organizers used computerized polling systems to
obtain resident input.
Page Eight
WHO IS ON THE CEB?
END NOTES All over the country, good
The Community Empowerment Board, established by President
things are happening in Empowerment Zones
Clinton in September 1993, is chaired by Vice President Gore.
and Enterprise Communities
The Vice-Chairs are Domestic Policy Council Chair Carol Rasco
and National Economic Council Chair Laura Tyson. Nineteen
Groundbreaking was held in May for Cleveland's
Federal Cabinet departments, agencies, and Executive offices are
Bicentennial Village, a cooperatively financed model
on the Board.
block in the heart of the city's Enhanced Enterprise
Community; in addition, on June 8, Cleveland broke
Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
ground for a 93-unit single family housing
Agriculture (USDA)
Health and Human Services (HHS)
development Fort Lauderdale-based lender Waters
Commerce (DOC)
Mortgage Corp. has agreed to make $100 million in
Education (DoED)
home loans in the Atlanta Empowerment
Energy (DOE)
Zone Rural EC applicant Denmark, South
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Interior (DOI)
Carolina has used the partnerships and community
General Services Administration (GSA)
involvement created by the application process as a
Justice (DOJ)
catalyst for new business creation -- since
Labor (DOL)
December, five new businesses have been
Corporation for National Service (CNS)
established in this town of 4,000 people Urban EC
Small Business Administration (SBA)
Transportation (DOT)
applicant Athens, Georgia also is moving ahead on
Treasury
implementing a number of projects from its strategic
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
plan with help from HUD grants and loan
Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)
guarantees; on June 7, Athens opened a
Council of Economic Advisors (CEA)
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
neighborhood health facility in the heart of the EC
area
SEND US NEWS!
EZ/EC GOES ON-LINE!
The EZ/EC Task Force conducts the day-to-day
The CEB has established a homepage on the World
operations of the EZ/EC initiative. Managed by HUD
Wide Web of the Internet to provide direct electronic
and USDA, the staff of the task force are senior
access to EZ/EC information. The homepage can be
government executives from many different agencies, who
accessed at: HTTP://WWW.EZEC.GOV The
provide at the Federal level a single point of contact for
CEB is working to place continually updated EZ/EC
EZ/EC issues. Every EZ and EC has a liaison at the task
information (including this newsletter) into this
force; we encourage communities to submit comments or
account. You currently can use the site to access
news items for future newsletters to your EZ/EC liaison.
The task force's urban team can be reached by calling
background information about each of the EZ/EC
(202) 619-0314. The rural team can be found on (202)
sites and their strategic plans, and the guidebook to
619-7980.
federal agencies' programs. Look for more on-line
resources soon!
THE COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT BOARD NEWS
c/o The EZ/EC Task Force
300 7th Street SW, 7th Floor
Washington, DC 20024