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Letter to Julian Castro, Secretary, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - City of Schenectady Federal Promise Zone Application

Letter

Date: May 2, 2016
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Unemployed and Low-Income Government Budget and Spending Housing and Property

Dear Secretary Castro,

I write in support of the City of Schenectady's proposal for designation as a Promise Zone through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This designation will provide access to the resources the City of Schenectady needs to create jobs, increase economic activity, improve educational opportunities, and reduce crime in high poverty areas.

Schenectady has a long history of industry, driven by companies like General Electric and the American Locomotive company, which were sources of economic success and growth for the City in the last century. However, during the past few decades, the City of Schenectady has struggled economically, losing much of its industry and as a result, facing high poverty levels and conditions leading to high crime rates. The proposed Promise Zone will help address these challenges by targeting focused programming at improving living conditions and expanding opportunity in the North End, Central Business District, Eastern Avenue, Hamilton Hill, Mont Pleasant, and Central State Street neighborhoods of the City.

The requested designation will be particularly focused on assisting the City in developing new businesses, generating increasing economic activity, improving educational opportunities, reducing violent crime, increasing community health and wellness, along with increasing the availability of affordable and quality housing. By working with its public and private partners, the City of Schenectady remains determined to enhance the quality of life for all of its residents. Receiving this designation will support these efforts, helping the City to achieve its goals of drastically reducing unemployment, increasing educational opportunities and career readiness while improving high school graduation rates, stabilizing neighborhoods, and providing a stronger, more resilient economy for the region.

I ask that you please give this application your full consideration.


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