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LG 1
Park Lands
Elderly Housing
Financial
Legislative Events
Silicon Valley
Press Papers
20586
Enclosures filed in
Oversize Attachments #
NARA # 17792
WED
00:34
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BEEF
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nnn
THE WHITE HOUSE
Marsha Scott
Office of Presidential Personnel
Tel: (202) 456-5463
Fax: (202) 456-5558
FAX COVER SHEET
DATE:
7-27-99
PLEASE DELIVER TO:
LiSA Green
FAX NUMBER:
62223
SENDER:
Skye Philbuck
NUMBER OF PAGES:
1
(Including cover sheet)
Lisa - Call Mr OV Marsha at 65478 if you
have further questions
If there are any problems with this fax transmission, please contact the sender at the telephone number
listed above. Thank you.
The document accompanying this Facsimile Transmission Sheet is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to whom it IS addressed.
This message contains information which may be privileged. confidential or exempt from disclosure under applicable law If the reader of this
message is not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient. you are
hereby notified that any disclosure, dissemination, copying or distribution, or taking of any action in reliance on the contents of this
communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately at (202) 456-6676
WED
00:35
FAX
002
Marsha Scott
06/14/99 03:30:09 PM
Record Type:
Record
To:
Minyon Moore/WHO/EOP@EOP, Stephanie S. Streett/WHO/EOP@EOP
CC:
Skye S. Philbrick/WHO/EOP@EOP. Orson C. Porter/WHO/EOP@EOP
Subject: Invitation from W.C. Smith Company
This is the group that met with Orson and I about this community event. They are people that I have
worked with for several years in their community projects for the Parkland area of DC. The company has
won numerous honors for their work in this community. We go around the country looking for examples of
community efforts to revitalize economically depressed areas. We have a great example here in our own
town.. Our good friends Hugh Mccoll, Frank Raines and Mayor Williams will be honored and Franklin has
written in support. Cong. Eleanor Holmes Norton is also poised to ask for our attendance. This is a
perfect opportunity for the President and/or Mrs. Clinton to get local credit for the work they have been
doing nationally to promote community renewal in deprived areas. An old friend of the President's from
his Georgetown/fulbright days is a community organizer in this area and made us aware of this project.
They were going to schedule this for June but after talking to you, Stephanie, I advised them to delay it
untilJuly when you thought it was a better chance that either of the Principals could participate. They will
put it on any day that we are available. If you will give me a date, they can get it organized and will do it
around our schedule. This obviously means a lot to them but I firmly believe that this is a great event for
the President to not only talk about what he has done for community reinvention and investment but to
also show support for DC and all he has tried to do for this community.
If you need more paper, etc. Skye has it at 65478. Many thanks.
00:35
FAX
003
William C. Smith & Co., Inc.
Realtors
W. Christopher Smith, Jr.
1220 L Street, N.W.
Chairman and
Suite 300
Chief Executive Officer
Washrigton, D.C. 20005-4022
(202) 371-1220
May 28, 1999
The Honorable William Jefferson Clinton
President of the United States of America
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Clinton:
It is very difficult to speak immodestly of one's own work, so I am using the words of
Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton from her testimony before a House appropriations
subcommittee:
"I do not know of another example of the rebuilding of an entire community in a poor
neighborhood, repopulating it with people with modest means, led not by the government,
-but by a private developer
Theirs' is a story I have not heard before - where a
company acquires troubled properties to save its own rather than walking away, and then
moves on to save the neighborhood as well."
The story of Parklands, a neighborhood in Southeast Washington just miles from the White
House, is an important one because it represents all of the good that can happen in challenged,
inner city neighborhoods with the engagement and partnership of the public and private sectors,
and we believe it is the embodiment of your 21st Century Livability Agenda.
In the Villages of Parklands, our partners have included NationsBank, Fannie Mae, the Federal
government and the District of Columbia government. Fannie Mae and NationsBank are two
private institutions that were undaunted by the myriad of challenges that initially faced us.
Instead, they were able to focus on and buy into a vision of a healthy and revitalized community.
In addition to our private partners, the federal government and the District government have also
been steadfast and reliable partners. As the conduit for federal funds, the DC Department of
Housing and Community Development provided $7.6 million of equity funding through the Low
Income Housing Tax Credit program for the renovation of 573 out of the 875 total units in the
Parklands redevelopment effort.
Jun. 10 1999 10:50AM P5
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The Honorable William Jefferson Clinton
May 28, 1999
Page two
In addition, through the federal HOME program, $3,000,000 of funds were used on the
townhome project to acquire and demolish 400 vacant units and to leverage an additional
$24,000,000 of private capital. These funds will allow homes to be sold at prices affordable to
low and moderate income first-time homebuyers. The District has also committed $2,500,000
federal CDBG funds, as well as the use of District land, to build an arts and recreation center in
the neighborhood. The active partnership of both the federal and local government has allowed
for the breadth and scope of a comprehensive revitalization of the Parklands community.
At the grand opening celebration we plan to present Franklin Raines of Fannie Mae, Hugh
McColl of NationsBank, and Anthony Williams, mayor of the District of Columbia, with the
William C. Smith & Company Vision Award. These awards will recognize the long-term
commitment these institutions and the District have made to the revitalization of the Villages of
Parklands and its surrounding community. We would be honored if you or the First Lady - or
both of you together - would present these awards on our behalf and serve as our kcynote
speaker. Right here in Washington, DC, in the back yard of the White House, we have proof that
going into the 21st century we can revitalize neighborhoods without razing them. You have
spoken SO eloquently about community renewal and worked tirelessly to create an environment
supportive of that achievement; we can think of no one more appropriate to lead our celebration.
We plan to hold the grand opening event in the late summer or early fall, and we would be happy
to work with your staff to accommodate your schedule. We certainly acknowledge and
appreciate the tremendous demand for your time, but we are confident that your time with us
would be enjoyable, rewarding and well spent. Thank you in advance for your consideration.
We look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
W. Christpher
W. Christopher Smith, Jr.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Attachments
Jun. 10 1999 10:51AM P6
PHONE NO. : 202 889 8875
FROM : WCS Construction
WED
00:36
FAX
005
ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON
DISTRICT or COLUMBIA
COMMITTEE ON
GOVERNMENT REFORM AND
COMMITTEE ON
OVERSIGHT
TRANSPORTATION AND
SUBCOMMITTEE
INFRASTRUCTURE
RANKING MINORITY MEMBER,
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
SUBCOMMITTEES
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION
CIVIL SERVICE
PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND
Congress of the United States
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CO-CHAIR
House of Representatives
CONGRESSIONAL CAUCUS FOR
WOMEN'S ISSUES
Mashington. B.C. 20515
TESTIMONY OF CONGRESSWOMAN ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON BEFORE THE
HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE ON VA, HUD, AND INDEPENDENT
AGENCIES FOR FUNDING FOR A CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL CENTER TO
SUPPLEMENT THE WORK OF A PRIVATE COMPANY IN TRANSFORMING A
POOR SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY
April 15, 1999
Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Mollohan, I appreciate your courtesy in affording me the
opportunity to testify about funding for a rare project. My practice is and will remain to ask for
earmarked funding only in unique circumstances. My priority must be the D.C. appropriation,
and I cannot afford to dilute the overriding priority for the city's indespensible appropriation that
comes annually before the D.C. subcommittee.
The $2.5 million I am requesting today would contribute to a $10 million recreation
center and performing arts center called the ARC in the poorest section of Southeast Washington,
Ward 8, for which $4.6 million has already been raised. What brings me here today is not this
need alone, however. There are dozens of worthy projects in the District. I believe that the ARC
should be funded, not only for its own sake, but to encourage other private developers to do what
William C. Smith & Co. has been doing for the last eight years. Using its own private funds, the
Smith company has led a $60 million, S4 acre reclamation of an entire, once deteriorated
community. I do not know of another example of the rebuilding of an entire community in a
poor neighborhood, repopulating it with people with modest means, led not by the government,
but by a private developer.
The entire city is impressed, even astonished by the transformation. Mayor Pony
Williams took the unusual action of requesting that I testify in favor of this project before your
subcommittee. The Smith Company has been involved in Ward 8 since 1969, owning and
managing 1800 units in Southeast Washington before 1991. Their's is a story I have not heard
before- where a company acquires troubled properties to save its own rather than walking away.
and then moves on to save the neighborhood as well.
The ARC will be part of the renovation and construction of 1110 units of rental and
purchased housing. a water park and complete renovation of a public elementary school. If you
go there today you will see new and renovated housing any community would be proud to have.
#10 15TH STREET. N.W. SUITE 100
1424 LONGING House Office BURDING
2047 MARTIN L Kind AVENUE, 3.P.
WASHINGTON, D.C 20516-6141
Suite 300
WASHINGTON, DC 20005-2201
2021 783-5006
(202) 226-5050
WASHINGTON, QC 20020-5734
(202) 782-5211 (Fax)
(202) 225-3002 (Fax)
(202) 578-2304
(202) 225-7829 (TDO)
(202) 078-0844 (Fax)
Jun. 10 1999 10:53AM P10
S285 688 202 : "ON 3NOHA
FROM : WCS Construction
WED
00:36
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The transformation is unique because it is being lead by a private developer who is
paving new ground as a for-profit enterprise. It has invested rather than disinvested and then
gone on to invest in the social infrastructure of the neighborhood it serves as well.
The W. C. Smith Company owned property that it had maintained despite the devastation
around it. Remaining and keeping its units made the company unusual enough. However, in
1991, the developer acquired The Villages of Parklands, a crime and drug plagued 54 acre, 1400
unit complex that was spiraling so far out of control that it was threatening to take the
surrounding neighborhood with it. This is the situation when owners often disinvest. The
remarkable decision of a private company to buy the units that were taking properties down and
with them an entire neighborhood is what makes this case so unusual.
After buying these devastated and troubled units, the company partnered with local police
and dramatically reduced crime. In their first six months of ownership, there were six murders
on one notorious gang-controlled block within the development. The company wrested back
control of the property, worked with solid residents that had been imprisoned by fear in their
units and evicted tenants who engaged in illegal activities or who refused to obey resident-
driven house rules. As a result of concerted work with the residents and police and of hands-on
property management, the number of fatalities in each of the following two years was reduced to
zero.
Next, the company did what is virtually unheard of today. It invested substantial capital
in the property. Beyond its own money, it assembled investments for partnership with Fannie
Mae, NationsBank, the District government, and federal programs such as the Low Income
Housing Tax Credit, and completely renovated close to 900 apartment units. Units received new
kitchens, bathrooms, windows, and entry systems. Building entrances received wrought iron
fencing to cut off easy escape routes for criminals. The grounds were overhauled and flowers
planted making the project as attractive as any development in the city.
The company did not stop with bricks and mortar of the units themselves because of the
deplorable condition of neighborhood recreational facilities and invested $1 million of its own
funds to develop the Villages of Parklands Splashpark, a state-of-the-art water recreation facility
that looks as if it is straight out of Disney World
However, the banks refused to finance this venture, believing that it did not add value to
the property. The Smith Company felt differently and believed correctly that this amenity would
draw stable families with children who otherwise might well move a few blocks away to Prince
George's County.
Next, the developer created a nonprofit organization, Building Bridges Across the River,
to fund and build the ARC, a 51,000 square feet, 350 seat, theater arts, cultural, and recreational
center. Considering the isolation of the neighborhood from similar facilities, this was a smart
business decision to keep and attract stable tenants and owners, but is the kind of business
decision that is seldom made in a poor community. This $10 million effort has received grants
PIT 10:53:01 1999 01 unr
PHONE NO. : 202 889 8875
SOM : FROM
WED
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007
of $4.6 million to date including $2.5 million from the city, $350,000 from the Fannie Mae
Foundation, $300,000 from NationsBank, and $300,000 and a loaned executive from William C.
Smith & Co. itself. The sole purpose of this community facility will be to provide healthy and
productive alternatives for neighborhood youth throughout Ward 8. Never before have the
communities on the other side of the Anacostia River had access to anything approaching this
kind of consortium of cultural and recreational facilities.
The developer's vision has not been contained by private or public sector
compartmentalization. Soon after acquiring Parklands, the company asked the principal of the
local public school, Garfield Elementary School what it could do to help. Eight years and
$200,000 later, Garfield is a different world. William C, Smith & Co. not only committed its
volunteer time and labor, but got its subcontractors to contribute as well. The Smith Company
and its subcontractors painted the entire 1908 school building, rewired the outdated electrical
system so that it could accommodate air conditioning, and installed landscaping, wrought iron
fencing, and a glass front door to highlight the school's openness to the community.
The Smith Company's renovation of Garfield's physical infrastructure laid the foundation
for extraordinary academic student and staff achievement in the years to come. When the
company first began volunteer efforts at Garfield, the school was ranked 100 out of a total of 207
schools across the city. Currently Garfield is ranked 13 out of 146 schools. Last year, Garfield
became the second public elementary school in the city to receive the rigorously
competitive Middle States Accreditation. In addition to its work with Garfield, the company has
adopted three other local schools, bringing needed focus, attention, and resources.
Now, William C. Smith & Co. has created yet another stable environment in and around
Parklands, a $27 million homeownership community. To make way for this new development,
the company demolished 400 units of vacant and boarded multi-family units and re-utilized the
existing infrastructure. Knowing that many buyers were not only first-time, but first generation
homebuyers, the Smith Company established and funded a home ownership training program to
help first time purchasers deal with issues relating to credit, savings, debt, and general anxiety.
The result is that people who have lived in the community for over 20 years and never imagined
that they could purchase, are doing so at Oxon Creek
I have told this story because it is like none other I know of in inner city redevelopment.
I do not know the company officers and managers (though I have met some of them) whose
remarkable, determined, vision have transformed a community that had been left to rot on the
vine. I know this private company only by its extraordinary work. Nor do I know enough about
the developer to be able explain where its deep dedication is rooted What I do know is that this
Congress would want others to do likewise. I can think of no better way to encourage this
privately led transformation of an entire community than to make the $2.5 million contribution to
the $10 million recreation and cultural ARC. I respectfully request that this subcommittee sign
on as a partner appropriating the requested amount.
Jun. 10 1999 10:54AM P12
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[email protected]
07/26/99 05:46:12 PM
Record Type:
Record
To:
Lisa Green/OPD/EOP
CC:
Subject: The Administrator's New Markets Schedule
SBA Administrator's Schedule of New Markets Events
August 3rd -- Chicago
Appears with the President and other cabinet members at the Welfare to Work
Partnership. The Administrator will discuss New Markets during her
roundtable session and community walk.
August 4th -- Presidential Roll-Out of New Markets Legislation
August 6th -- Chicago
Administrator will discuss New Markets at the Rainbow/PUSH Conference.
August 10th -- Presidential Roll-Out of BusinessLINC
August 12th -- El Paso, TX
Administraator will discuss New Markets with Cong. Reyes and community and
business leaders.
August 20th -- Washington, DC
Administrator will discuss New Markets in a speech to the African-American
Women on Tour
- att1.htm
FAX
5.
001
THE WHITE HOUSE
OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS
HOUSE LIAISON
-FAX COVER SHEET-
DATE: 10-1-97
TO:
adrienne Erbach, Lisa theen
FAX:
5-3888, 6-2223
FROM:
BRODERICK JOHNSON
JOSH ACKIL
AL MALDON
ERICA MORRIS
LISA KOUNTOUPES
LAUREN GILLESPIE
JANELLE ERICKSON
BRIAN MASON
(202)456-6620 (TELEPHONE)
(202)456-2604 (FAX)
SUBJECT:
1 OF
SEP-30-99 THU 06:24 FAX PM
MARION DERRY
FAX NO.
r.
150 AMERICAN
1407 Condwork 1100
COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
WASHINGTON DC 20515
TL, (202) 225 4076
ON
fan (202) 225-5502
Nutsings FORCE ACHICULTURE
Congress of the United States
CISS MAIN 50001
COMMITTO ON TRANSPORTATION
Douge of Representatives
Same 211
us
JUNE strong All 12403
in (800) 866-2701
Missington. DC 20515-0401
OMB
... 18/01/17 add.
FAX TRANSMISSION
Adrabach
To:
LISA KOWNTOUPES
From:
JEB JOYCE
1005 NE
Fax:
456-2604
Phone:
3 $251
Pages: 111 including this cover sheet.
Date:
9/30/99
he
Comments:
MERE IS
BERT COLE INFO
our OFFICE
HAS NOT RECEIVED ANYTHING ON TOM MCRAE THAT 1 An
AWARE OF. CALL. IF QUESTIONS,
JEB
JEBJOYCE
Legislative Assistant
1119 Longworth
Marron them
Washington " 30513
Menter ... Congress
CORPORA 211711
1 District
(202) 145 SMIZ bex
SEP-30 99 THU 06:24 PM
FAX NO.
003
46711
EAST ARKANSAS
ENTERPRISE COMMUNITY
INITIATIVE AND FOLLOW-UP PLAN
VISIT TO ARKANSAS BY
THE HONORABLE WILLIAM (BILL) CLINTON -
PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES
AUGUST 7, 1999
PRESENTED BY THE:
EAST ARKANSAS ENTERPRISE COMMUNITY
1000 AIRPORT ROAD
FORREST CITY, ARKANSAS 72335
JUDGE TOM CATLETT-BOARD - CHAIR
DR. ROBERT L. COLE - CONSULTING COORDINATOR
FAX
SEP-30-99 THU 06:24 PM
ГПЛ NO.
4004
FAX
SEP-30-99 THU 06:25 PM
FHX NU.
005
04711
EC DELTA INITIATIVE AND FOLLOW-UP PLAN
On August 4, 1999 an Executive Summary of the Application package was prepared and submitted to the
Honorable Rodney Slater, Secretary of Transportation. A copy was also hand-delivered at the meeting with
the President on August 7. 1999. This plan consisted of items/issucs, which can be administratively
approved/authorized and/or designated by the President or Cabinct Members and can be announced for
implementation. There are some items/requests that will take budgetary authority and/or legislation. The
the others.
administration is requested to take immediate action on the administrative items/requests and give priority to
STATEMENT/ISSUE # I:
The East Arkansas Enterprise Community (EAEC) requested an upgrade to a Rural Empowerment Zone
during the Round II Application process (October 9, 1998). The EAEC was not approved for an upgrade. The
Pulaski County Enterprise Community also requested an upgrade and was not approved. However, the
Secretary of HUD designated the Pulaski County EC as a Strategic Planning Community, which qualifies it
for various funding and benefits available to Empowerment Zones.
REQUEST/RESPONSE #
The President / Secretary is requested to designate the EAEC as a Rural Strategic Planning Community,
which would qualify it for additional funding and benefits available to Empowerment Zones, The funding
authorities would immensely help to leverage other private dollars to improve the quality of life in the EC.
The Tax Incentives and other benefits would help attract industry and increase employment opportunities.
SEP-30-99 THU 06:25 PM
PMA NO,
006
STATEMENT/ISSUE # II:
The EC Benchmark #3 / Human Development-Youth Education and Benchmark #11-Workforce are working
aggressively with local youth organizations and partnering with the Local and County Workforce Alliances.
Workforce funds are being leveraged with EC and private funds. Two (2) youth organizations in the EC, the
Arkansas Land and Farm Development Corporation's-Youth Enterprise in Agriculture/EXCEL program, and
the Remedial Instruction Strengthens Education / Motivational Opportunities for a Vital Education program in
the EC have received the President's Volunteer Action Program Award,
REQUEST/RESPONSE # II:
The FAEC has met all requirements and been certified by the Federal Government to be a recipient and
distributor of funds to implement it's benchmarks. The Department of Labor's Appropriation Act provides for
$250M for opportunities for youths ages 14-21 in Enterprise Communities. The announcement (SGA/DFA
99-015 specifically states that "Grants are to be used to increase long-term employment for youth who live in
the EC's". However, it disqualifies the EC's as eligible applicants. It indicates that funds must go through a
non-existent local board (9/1/99). The EAEC, requests that $5M be allocated to this EC to improve
employment opportunities for the youth in the EC. The EC, as a certified recipient and distributor of funds,
should not have to seck funds from a third party. The President / Secretary should award $1.5M from the
Secretary's Discretionary Fund and earmark another $1.5M for the EC totaling $3M.
STATEMENT/ISSUE # III:
EC Benchmark #5 (Housing and Environment) and Benchmark #8 (Infrastructure) are invaluable tools for
leveraging funds for the families, small towns and communities (11 EC and 10 Champion / Crowley Ridge
Sceme Byways) projects, such as; housing, sub-divisions, fire departments, community-building, water
sewage, drainage and tornado early warning systems. EC Benchmark #10 (Economic Development-Business
Expansion and /development). The EC has developed plans for a Community Development Financial
Institution (CDFI) to serve the EC and Champion communities. The plan has been submitted by RFP's to
interested lending institutions. EC Benchmark #3 (Youth K - 12). This Benchmark helps youths -
Kindergarten through Grade 12- become educated about various careers, work ethics and employment
opportunities. In essence, the objective is to help prepare youth to become productive citizens.
REQUEST/RESPONSE # III:
Request that the Secretary of Labor provide $5M to support a youth demonstration program through the
Division of Scasonal Farmworker Programs to help prepare rural youth to successfully adopt and transit into
the Y2K economy, which will largely be based on High Technology. Follow-up on the application and
proposal submitted to the Honorable Rodney Slater, Secretary of Transportation, on July 27, 1999. See the
executive summary of the proposal attached, dated July 27, 1999. The proposal requests $6M and identifies
soluces, such as the Department of Education, Labor, Agriculture, Transportation, Housing and Urban
Development, Health and Human /services, and the Small Business Administration.
FAX
SEP-30-99 THU 06:25 PM
"HA NO.
007
STATEMENT/ISSUE # IV:
The Delta, especially the Arkansas Delta, is in need of a National Research Center, which would assess
disease, health education and outreach, and the effects of the air, soil, water quantity and quality, and
nutrition/diets. The center should also look at and develop a proposal to reduce the impacts of pollution on
Human Health and the Environment.
REQUEST/RESPONSE # IV:
Establish a National Center of Risk Assessment in Phillips, Lee or St. Francis County. The Agriculture
Research Service (ARS) has an established number of these National Centers across the country. The
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) is one of six (6) lead institutions participating in an existing
ARS-USDA Lower Mississippi Delta Nutrition Intervention Research Initiative which will support such a
center The Lcad cntity for this project should be selected in accordance with the Historically Black Colleges
and Universities, Executive Order Number 12876 - dated November 1, 1993 - through ownership contract or
sub-grant.
STATEMENT/ISSUE #V:
Cont nue to support "The Delta: Beyond 2000" Tourism Strategy and utilize the interagency partnership
agreement headed by Secretary Rodney Slater. This agreement, if fully implemented, will not only help
achieve sustainable economic and human development to improve the quality of life in the Delta but will
recognize the culturally rich and economic strategic region for tourism - - Crowley Ridge Scenic Byway.
REQUEST/RESPONSE # V:
Develop U.S. Nighway 79 between Marianna and Pinc Bluff as a "interstate quality" highway. Complete
State Highway 1 as a 4-lane route from Haynes to Walnut Corner. This will connect the mid-delta cities to
Pinc Bluff and I-69 via Monticello. Complete Highway #49 from Walnut Corner to Brinkley: This is one of
the most highly traveled and most dangerous highways in the state. Assist Cross County in completing the
connection of Highway #1 and #350 to State Highway #284 - thereby completing another scenic byway
through Crowley's Ridge. Develop an exit ramp off I-40 to Madison on the scenic route Highway #50 and
#284 Currently, there is no exit or exit sign off I-40 to Madison. Earmark funds to complete the above
improvements per cost estimates prepared by the state or private engineers.
SEP-30-99 THU 06:26 PM
FAX NU,
008
01711
STATEMENT/ISSUE # VI:
The insuance of $26M to fund the Delta Regional Commission (DRC)-modeled after the Appalachian
Regional Commission (ARC) never became a reality or never created any now dollars, authorities or benefits
for the Delta. Many of the Dclta counties meet and exceed the ARC's critoria for distressed counties.
Citizens of the Delta (Arkansas), industries and others should also be entitled to the same.
REQUEST/RESPONSE # VI:
The Administration should revitalize this initiative and create the same. Since Rural Arkansas did not get a
Rural Enterprise Zone, the Rural Enterprise Communities of Arkansas (East Arkansas Enterprise Community
and Mississippi County Enterprise Community) should be designated as Mini-Demonstration Regions to
qualify for the same.
STATEMENT/ISSUE # VII:
On January 30, 1998, the Secretary of Agriculture-at two public meetings (Lonoke Farm-UAPB and UAPB
campus)- announced the designation of the National Water Management Center and its location on the UAPB
Farm at Lonoke. A proposal was developed and submitted to the Secretary in July 1998. The proposal is
currently under consideration by the Secretary and the USDA / Natural Resources and Conservation Service.
REQUEST/RESPONSE # VII:
The Secretary should honor his commitment and approve the request. The problem of water management is a
national issue. The National Center and UAPB are commended for the Wetland and Water Management
issues that are currently being addressed.
STATEMENT/ISSUE # VIII:
Each of the eleven (11) towns and communities in the EC retained an engineer and acquired detailed
infrastructure plans. The additional three (3) Champion Communities did also, We requested these Champion
Communities as Developable Sites as a part of the EC's application for an upgrade to an EZ. Copies of these
plans were provided to the Honorable Rodney Slater, Secretary of Transportation, on July 27, 1999. The cost
estimates for the plans and developable sites total an approximate $62M.
REQUEST/RESPONSE # VIII;
Please have the appropriate agencies to review these plans and the proposals, and earmark funds for the year
2000 budget. Assistance will be provided. if needed.
FAX
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009
Γ. 00/11
STATEMENT/ISSUE # IX:
The Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) is a part of the EC Benchmarks (Benchmark #10-
Small Business/CDFI). The CDFI will provide and attract capital that assists in diversifying and broadening
the employment base of the five-county service area. This is accomplished through leveraging and pooling
financial resources that support investments in small businesses, speculative buildings, new industries,
developing/expanding companies and community development projects. There is a need for certification and
funding for a CDFI in the EC. At present, a plan has been developed and lending institutions have expressed
an interest in supporting this initiative,
REQUEST/RESPONSE # LX:
Earmark $500,000.00 of Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) funds to leverage with EC and other funds.
The RBEG funds would enablo the EC to cstablish a revolving loan fund to serve as equity/seed money to
facilitate loans from private sources to low-income and small business enterprise who otherwise would not
quality. The local Workforce Alliance and TEA Coalition have also expressed their interest and support, of
such , I loan fund, with matching dollars.
STATEMENT/ISSUE #X:
To improve technical and outreach support for Limited Resource and Small Family Farmers.
REQUEST/RESPONSE #X:
Provide necessary funding for the EC to implement support for Limited Resource and Small Family Farmers
in technology transfer, outreach, technical assistance and paraprofessional Mentor farmer development
Source:
2501
FAX
SEP-30-99 THU 06:26 PM
FAX NU.
010
P. 08/11
EAST ARKANSAS ENTERPRISE COMMUNITY
Economic and Social Conditions.
EC Census Tract Profile:
Areas that comprise the EAEC include six (6) census tracts in four (4) counties.
Census Tracts
Communities
Counties
Poverty Rate
Area Square Miles
Total Population
9505
Wynne
Cross
34.54
6.4
5,666
9702
Moro
Lee
44.7
157.4
2,482
9501
Brinkley
Monroe
43.39
104.2
Fargo
5,183
9601
Hughes
St. Francis
48.65
233.5
Widener
4,470
9602
Caldwell
St. Francis
28.62
172.9
Colt
6,374
Madison
9603
Palestine
St. Francis
24.74
196.9
Wheatley
3,211
Totals:
11 communities
4 counties
871.3
27,396
Developable Sites:
In addition, the EAEC has considered three (3) developable areas in three (3) cities. These include the downtown areas of
Marianna (Lee County), Holly Grove (Monroe County), and Forrest City (St. Francis County).
Census Tracts
Communities
Counties
Poverty Rate
Area Square Miles
9703
Total Population
Downtown
Lee
.005
Marianna
9503
Downtown
Monroe
.002
Holly Grove
9604
Downtown
St. Francis
.005
Forrest City
Delta Beyond 2000 Initiative:
The EC also considered Champion Communities, and towns and communities along the Crowley's Ridge Scenic Byways
from Wynne/Cross County to Helena/Phillips County. The communities/towns are Helena, West Helena, Lexa, Barton,
Haynes, and Parkin.
A total of twenty (20) communities/towns.