The Empowerment Zone program has designed by the Clinton Administration to stimulate investment, create jobs, expand businesses and provide community support. Private sector investment was to be leveraged using federal and local funds, resulting in inner city reinvestment. The financing is used to revitalize cities by establishing and implementing goals.
The City of St. Louis / Wellston, Missouri and East St. Louis, Illinois applied separately for Empowerment Zone designation in 1994-each was unsuccessful though they obtained Enterprise Community Designations. In 1998 a second, combined application was successful. The grants support, community and economic development initiatives.
The St. Louis Regional Empowerment Zone includes 13.77 square miles, covering two states, three counties and three municipalities. It also includes three industrial redevelopment sites not located within the zone's boundaries.
Goals of the St. Louis Regional Empowerment Zone include:
Create a model of regional collaboration Increase Employment opportunities for Zone residents Provide opportunity for Zone residents to be economically self-sufficient Support commercial and industrial development Build sustainable neighborhoods
The strategic plan to implement the goals of the Empowerment Zone include:
Business Development Workforce Development Commercial/Industrial Development Neighborhood/Community Development Tax incentives
See http://www.stlouisezone.org/projects/projects.htm for a list of projects funded by the Greater St Louis Regional Empowerment Zone.
