Hello JP! and List;
I guess I should clarify myself here. In no way did I mean that the
Empowerment Zone helped or is helping the businesses named, Sorry if that's
what appeared to sound like. I was just meaning instead of these type
places. There should be other more positive businesses in the area, The
Empowerment Zone, could do more outreach to those who are not aware of what
and who they(EZ) are.
The usual suspects explain it as a way of putting more money in the existing
big businesses, not investing into new or small. I think when these people
(usual suspects) address the issues of the EZ, one's expectation seems to
be lowered in their thinking that EZ. Feeling like it's not for them.
Hopefully the EZ can come out do itd own education to the people of what
EZ is all about. Just my thoughts, as usual.
Vanessa Hawthorne
Innovation, everyday entrepreneurship, and creativity are the aims of
collaboration."
Vanessa L. Freeman
Peter Keen
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Mpls] REGARDING MY EARLIER POST:COMMENTS
Date: Tue, 5 Jul 2005 20:39:04 EDT
>>[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
At times it seems as though more police would be needed. However, more
police would not be needed if the infrastructure of the area were more
economically sound. Or if the cityâs empowerment zone would allow
dollars to those
wishing to start their own businesses, other than nails; liquor; knock off
clothing stores, and corner âhoodâ stores selling outdated WIC (Women
Infantâs and
Children), in addition to selling cigarettes cheaper than any other place
in
the city.<<
JP:
I agree wholeheartedly with Vanessa. A clear connection can be seen
between
the economic investment in a community and the amount of crime and poverty
that exists there. The higher the investment, the lower the other two
become.
Sound economic investment is key to diminishing and ultimately
eradicating
crime from areas.
To that end, while the Empowerment Zone has put funding into a number of
businesses and initiatives, it has never put money into "nails; liquor;
knock
off clothing stores, and corner âhoodâ stores selling outdated WIC
(Women
Infantâs and Children)" to my knowledge. In my mind, that approach would
be
counterproductive to helping the community.
What we have funded are places like Café Tata Bunna, El Amin's Fish
House,
Lucille's Kitchen, the Franklin Bakery, Siyeza and a host of others. We
also
provide funds through the West Broadway Area Coalition for West Broadway
businesses to do façade improvements and we provide free technical
assistance and
small business loans to EZ business through four providers: NRRC,
WomenVenture, MCCD and Whittier CDC. In fact in the course of our 5 1/2
years, $10.4
Million (of our $25.8 Million) has been committed to 34 economic
development
projects and initiatives, which have served 1,174 persons, trained 170
residents and created or retained 485 resident jobs. 65 EZ business loans
have
been processed and 441 EZ businesses have received technical assistance.
Many people are not fully aware of what we do and don't do, I encourage
people to check out our website (www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/ez) or email me
directly at work at: [EMAIL PROTECTED] with any
questions. On
our end, we're trying to get the word out more of the resources we have to
offer.
In addition, the City has a great Business Finance division which works
with
businesses to find resources and funding, they even put out a free guide
on
how to start a business. Bob Lind heads that up, and is another great
person
to talk with. Bottom line is that both the EZ and the Business Finance
division are here to help and have been assisting people as they start up
or
expand their business, primarily small businesses. Many people are not
aware of
the resources available to them, and I would encourage anyone to contact
my
office or other divisions for assistance.
Jonathan Palmer
Victory
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