Fact Sheet

Department of Health and Human Services

ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W.

Washington , D.C. 20447

Empowerment Zones/Enterprise Communities

Type of Grant: Discretionary Grant

2007 Appropriation: $0

Legislative Authority:

Title 20 of the Social Security Act

Purpose:

The Empowerment Zones/Enterprise Communities program (EZ/EC) is a Federal, State, local government partnership for stimulating comprehensive renewal--particularly economic growth and social development--in distressed urban neighborhoods and rural areas across the nation. It seeks to motivate long-term change in the designated localities and demonstrate a positive and productive working partnership among multiple layers of government.

Recognizing that local involvement is a key component of long-term neighborhood renewal, the program takes a "bottom up" approach. Local leaders, residents, community-based organizations and local governments work together to set goals and develop strategies. Federal and State government agencies provide grant funding and other assistance for implementing the locally developed strategies.

At the Federal level, the program involves multiple agencies, primarily the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Numerous other agencies are also engaged. These include, among others, the Departments of Education, Justice, Transportation and Commerce, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Small Business Administration.

Target Population:

Economically distressed urban neighborhoods and rural areas throughout the nation.

Eligible Applicants:

Funds were available to the 50 States, the District of Columbia .

Federal Contact:

Division of State Assistance
Office of Community Services
Telephone: (202) 401-5324
Fax Number: (202) 401-5718
Email: ezec@acf.hhs.gov