In January 1999, the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth received an Empowerment Zone designation from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Empowerment Zone Initiative was a key element of President Clinton’s job creation strategy for America. Its purpose is to create jobs and business opportunities in the most economically distressed areas of inner cities and the rural heartland.

As a Round II grant recipient, the Norfolk/Portsmouth Empowerment Zone was to receive $10,000,000 a year for ten years. To date, full funding has not been received. The Norfolk/Portsmouth Empowerment Zone received three million dollars in FY99. An additional 3.6 million was received in FY2000. An additional 12.33 million dollars has been allocated for FY 2001. Approximately, 19 million dollars have been allocated to the Norfolk/Portsmouth Empowerment Zone.

The Empowerment Zone represents the most distressed communities within the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth. According to the 1990 Census Report, the Norfolk/Portsmouth Empowerment Zone consists of 49,091 residents. The adult labor force consists of 25,808 residents. Seventy-six percent of Empowerment Zone residents live below the poverty level. Thirty-seven percent of the population represents single female heads of households with children under the age of 18. Ninety-seven percent of Empowerment Zone residents are African-American.

Empowerment 2010, Inc. is a non-profit organization that has been created to manage the implementation of the strategic plan for the Norfolk/Portsmouth Empowerment Zone. The mission of Empowerment 2010, Inc. is to create an environment that enhances the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities within the Empowerment Zone through comprehensive educational, social, and economic opportunities. Empowerment 2010, Inc. has four areas of focus: workforce development, neighborhood development, business development, and empowerment centers.

The Governance Board for Empowerment 2010 consists of representatives from citizen, business, government, neighborhood, faith-based, and nonprofit organizations from the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth. The Governance Boards consist of 34 members. The Governance Board provides policy direction in the implementation of the Empowerment Zone strategic plan. The Governance Board meets once a month.

There are four working committees of the Governance Board for Empowerment 2010, Inc.: workforce development, business development, empowerment centers, and neighborhood development. Each committee represents a specific area of focus within the EZ strategic plan. Each committee consists of a broad representation of Governance Board members.

A Citizen Advisory Board consisting of 31 members from the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth meets bimonthly. The purpose of the Citizen Advisory Board is to provide recommendations and information to the Executive Committee and the Governance Board for consideration. The Citizen Advisory Board has provided recommendations concerning citizen and business expectations, desired services, and priorities in the Empowerment Zone communities.

Empowerment 2010 is premised on community-based partnerships. These partnerships have resulted in open communication and community involvement in the planning and development of Empowerment Zone initiatives. Empowerment 2010 partners include educational institutions, churches, human service and community agencies, businesses, and individuals. Partnerships are fundamental to community empowerment and development in the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth, Virginia.