Cohen: Memphis Selected as Finalist for President's "Promise Zone" Program

Statement

Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced that Memphis has been selected as a finalist for President Obama's "Promise Zone" program but was not designated a "Promise Zone" by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). As a finalist, Memphis will have the opportunity to participate in the Community Needs Assessment (CNA) Initiative. The initiative will consist of technical assistance over the next year with federal coordination from HUD to focus on priorities in the Memphis Promise Zone application to help Memphis be successful during the next round of federal funding initiatives from HUD. The Memphis Promise Zone focused on reducing high poverty, low education levels, high unemployment and crime rates, inadequate transportation options, and barriers to quality affordable housing.

"I am deeply disappointed that Memphis was not designated a Promise Zone, but I am pleased Secretary Castro called to notify me that Memphis was a finalist," said Congressman Cohen. "When I initially took the call from Secretary Castro, I assumed it would be a "Dear John' political call, but it turned out to be a "Miss Congeniality' call. While we didn't get what we wanted, Memphis can still take advantage of this new technical assistance initiative to improve our application for future federal funding initiatives from HUD. Just like with the lottery, I will not give up."

Source