|
|
March 2008
| Introduction 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 education, social, and economic opportunities. Empowerment 2010, Inc. has four areas of focus: business development, workforce development, neighborhood development and empowerment centers. This document provides an update of highlights within the Norfolk/Portsmouth Empowerment Zone since its inception in 1999. |
| |
Business Development
- 10,910 businesses and entrepreneurs have received counseling, training, technical assistance, information services, or referrals.
- $130 million in Enterprise Zone (EZ) Facility Bonds were awarded to the Norfolk/Portsmouth Empowerment Zone; Norfolk received $78 million and Portsmouth received $52 million. To date, $98 million in EZ Facility Bonds have been awarded to businesses in the two cities. Norfolk’s share of the bonds have been awarded to the following businesses: Metro Machine Corporation, $15 million, May 2002; BBL ODU, LLC, $12 million, February 2006; and Fort Norfolk Plaza LLC, $51 million, June 2007. Portsmouth businesses receiving EZ Facility Bonds include: the Ocean Marine Yacht Center, $8 million, August 2001 and Old Towne Hospitality LLC, $12 million, June 2007. Portsmouth has $32 million in available bonds.
- The Small Business Incubator and Resource Center (SBIRC) recently celebrated the graduation and success of its first incubator tenant moving into its own business location in Norfolk. SBIRC has five remaining incubator tenants and anticipates the arrival of two more tenants within the next four weeks.
- EZ Business Services LLC is open for business. This for-profit entity of Empowerment 2010, Inc. was formed to: (1) To provide document and information management services to small businesses and not-for profit organizations;(2) To create a “Learning Laboratory” that provides training and employment opportunities for low-income residents in preparation for entrepreneurship or long-term careers in larger business environments; (3) To model effective business startup and development for entrepreneurs and tenants seeking assistance at the SBIRC and; (4) To generate revenue to enable the SBIRC to become self sustaining.
- 7,278 clients have visited the Business Information Center.
- 1,987 clients have participated in business development workshops, presentations, etc.
- 1,565 clients have received business counseling.
- 82 clients have received technical assistance.
- 93 clients have completed Ewing Marion Kaufman Foundation certified training.
- Over 283 women have participated in annual Women’s Business Development Conferences.
- More than 300 veterans have participated in annual Veteran’s Business Development Conferences.
Workforce Development
- 3,710 residents have received workforce development services.
- 672 residents have been employed.
- 690 Empowerment Zone residents have completed job skills training.
- 344 residents have received transportation assistance.
- 153 residents have been provided childcare.
Neighborhood Development
- $1.6 million has been leveraged to support the construction of 393 new homes in Norfolk and Portsmouth of which 355 have been completed.
- $475,000 in Community Development Empowerment Grants has been awarded to 13 community-based organizations for launching capacity building and neighborhood improvement initiatives. More than 400 residents received services as a result of these grants.
- Empowerment 2010, Inc. is a certified Community Development Entity. Certification, as defined by the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, means that the organization is a legal entity whose primary mission is to serve and provide investment capital for low-income communities or persons and maintains accountability to low-income communities through their representation on a governing board.
- Empowerment 2010, Inc. has partnered with the City of Portsmouth in planning and launching community capacity building initiatives through the Weed and Seed Program and Community Development Block Grant funding. These initiatives have included workforce development activities, leadership development, and organization development training for community-based organizations.
Empowerment Center
- Total visitors: 10,843
- VHDA Homeownership Education Class Participants: 745
- Adult Computer Class Participants: 337
- General Equivalency Diploma preparation: 80
- Dreams and Discovery Participants: 29
- Career Celebrations: 70
Partnerships
Empowerment 2010, Inc. has been a catalyst for sustainable community economic development and strategic changes in the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth as demonstrated by the more than 30 partnerships. Despite limited EZ funding, Empowerment 2010, Inc. has established a presence in Hampton Roads and abroad as a focused, credible, customer-focused, and results-oriented catalyst for community economic development. Partnerships with diverse community-based, city, nonprofit, and private organizations have enabled Empowerment 2010, Inc. to attract new funding opportunities, to broaden its customer base, and to expand its quality and scope of services. These partnerships include, but are not limited to the following organizations: City of Norfolk and Portsmouth Agencies--Economic Development Authorities, Public Schools, Social Services Departments, Redevelopment and Housing Authorities, Norfolk Community Services Board; State of Virginia Agencies--Employment Commission, Department of Housing and Community Development, Housing and Development Authority, Department of Business Assistance, Department of Motor Vehicles, Department of Mental health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse, Department of Social Services, Department of Minority Business Enterprise, Department of Business Assistance; Federal Agencies--Social Security Administration, Small Business Administration, Housing and Urban Development, and Health and Human Services.
|
| |
| |
| Programs By City |
| Norfolk |
Status |
| Anne/Outten Street Development Project (Westchurch) |
Construction of the planned 28 homes is complete. $400,000 was provided to assist with the costs for infrastructure. |
| Attucks Theatre Restoration Project |
The facility opened in October 2004. $150,000 was provided to support the restoration of the facility. Fifteen EZ residents were hired by the project. |
| Berkley Shopping Center |
$462,000 was awarded to support tenant improvement costs in the construction of the Berkley Shopping Center Farm Fresh Supermarket. The facility opened in November 2005 and will employ 95 EZ residents. |
| Business Enhancement (HOPE VI) |
$700,000 was provided in support of this HOPE VI initiative. The program provided financial assistance to 45 businesses, technical assistance to 80 businesses, and created or retained 110 jobs. |
| Central Brambleton Conservation Project |
$330,000 was provided to assist with the costs for infrastructure. The 31 single-family homes that were planned have been completed. |
| NCP Community Development Federal Credit Union |
$165,000 was awarded to support NCP operations. During the period from July 1, 2002 thru July 31, 2003 NCP issued 63 loans totaling $209,867, of which 11 were issued to EZ residents totaling $33,985. NCP also issued 8 business loans to EZ businesses totaling $63,950.
|
| Park Place East at Broadway Development Project |
$396,000 was programmed to assist with housing development. Project reduced from 22 to 21 houses as a result of irregular lot sizes. Construction completed on 18 houses. Two houses still under construction, anticipate completion in September 2007; final house expected to start construction September 2007, completion January 2008. |
| Research and Innovation to Support Empowerment (RISE) Complex |
$500,000 was provided to assist with the costs for land acquisition. Construction has been completed, and the facility opened for classes and other activities on April 13, 2007. The center is named The Marie V. McDemmond Center for Applied Research. |
| The Brewery |
$305,000 has been programmed to assist with the acquisition and development of properties for use in the construction of 35 townhouses. Engineers are working with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for site clearance. Final remediation plan to DEQ submitted August 2007. Infrastructure design 95% complete; rezoning process submitted to planning commission and awaiting City Council public hearing. Plan to RFP project in October 2007. Construction expected to begin June 2008 with completion by December 2008. |
| Tidewater Scholarship Foundation |
$200,000 was awarded to support college scholarships issued to 26 EZ residents and for the Access program that supported over 800 EZ youth. |
| Portsmouth |
Status |
| New Electrical Substation in Support of Hope VI |
$231,000 was provided to support an upgrade to the electrical substation that serves Westbury (formerly IDA Barbour), a HOPE VI project, and for the adjacent community. Of the 278 units planned, 161 are homeownership units and 117 rental units. Of the 161 homeownership units, 158 units have been sold; one single family and one duplex unit are being held as models for our Jeffry Wilson HOPE VI initiative. All 117 rental units are occupied. Project has been completed. |
| Tower Mall |
$4.1 million has been leveraged with public and private funding to support retail development in Portsmouth with 29 businesses employing nearly 500 people at the Victory Crossing Shopping Center. |
|
| |
Other Accomplishments
- Awarded more than $1.8 million in non-Empowerment Zone funding opportunities
- Acquired a van from Norfolk Public Schools to assist in transporting residents to program activities
- Acquired a bus from Hampton Roads Transit to create a mobile Empowerment Center providing services in locations throughout Norfolk and Portsmouth
- Certified homeownership education trainer/facilitator for the Virginia Housing and Development Authority
- Certified as a Community Housing and Development Organization in the City of Norfolk
- Certified as a housing counseling agency by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Awarded Resident Opportunity for Self-Sufficiency grant from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Awarded Assets for Independent Living matching grants from the United States Department of Health and Human Services
- Created EZ Business Services as a Section III business hiring and training low to moderate-income residents to provide document management services
- Created Start-Up Business Loan Program in partnership with the Center for Community Development, Inc.
- Awarded Community Development Block Grant funding to support Revolving Credit Program for Norfolk Businesses
- Welcomed six on-site incubator tenants and currently recruiting participants for a Virtual Incubator Program
- Awarded Virginia Enterprise Initiative Grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development
- Welcomed the Virginia Department of Minority Business Enterprise as an on-site service partner in Norfolk and currently negotiating a partnership agreement with the Virginia Department of Business Assistance
- Certified as a trainer for the Money Smart program sponsored by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; recognized as a partner in the Money Smart Alliance Program
- Launched Dreams and Discovery Matched Savings Account Program
- Certified as a facilitator and administrator of business development training sponsored by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation of Kansas City, Missouri
- Awarded Commonwealth of Virginia non-state grant to pilot educational program in three Norfolk schools: Lafayette Winona Middle, Lake Taylor Middle, and Lake Taylor High School
- Started application procedures for HUD certification as an Affordable Housing Program
- Certified by the United States Department of Treasury as a Nonprofit Community Development Entity
- Streamlined the Empowerment 2010 organization to a staff 7 full-time and three-part time employees; when fully staffed, we had 22 full-time employees
- Streamlined and reorganized workforce development operations and created four workforce development training initiatives: Passport to Employment; Workforce Readiness, Career Explorers, and First Steps to Employment
- Streamlined and reorganized the business development division resulting in the reduction of four full-time positions to two
|
|
| |
|
