Congressman McNerney Introduces Bipartisan Bill To Help Cities Impacted By The Economic Downturn

Press Release

Today, Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-Stockton) introduced the Revitalize Our Cities Act to help economically hard-hit communities by extending the federal empowerment zone designations for three years. The program is scheduled to expire at the end of 2013. Empowerment zones are federally designated regions that have high levels of poverty and economic hardship. Cities selected as federal empowerment zones can receive various tax benefits, as can local businesses and school districts, in order to promote economic growth.

"We have seen cities across the country struggling during the economic downturn with many family-wage jobs being lost and many communities finding it hard to generate local business activity. This bill will provide these cities with the resources they need to grow local economies and put people back to work," said Congressman McNerney.

"In our region, we are still experiencing the negative impacts from the 2008 downturn, including high unemployment. In order for our community to thrive, we need to encourage local business growth, attract new investments and business owners to the area, and put people back to work. The Revitalize Our Cities Act is a sensible measure to help cities flourish with the help of the initiative that I see every day in the people who live there," said Congressman McNerney.

The Revitalize Our Cities Act seeks to help the cities that have been hit the hardest as a result of the economic downturn. Specifically, the legislation would allow an additional 20 cities to participate in the federal empowerment zone program. Eligibility is limited to cities where unemployment and foreclosure rates are higher than their respective states' averages. Providing common sense resources to some of America's most economically distressed cities will attract increased investment from the private sector and expand employment opportunities. By extending this economic development program, distressed communities can be put on the track to success.

The Revitalize Our Cities Act has broad local support, including letters of support from the Cities of Stockton and Antioch:

"The Lodi chamber is in support of anything that can help bolster the economic position of San Joaquin Cities." -- Pat Patrick, CEO of the Lodi Chamber of Commerce

"Congressman McNerney's Revitalize Our Cities Act addresses one of the major issues that we face in San Joaquin County, that of bringing businesses and jobs back into an area that has been one of the hardest hit in respect to unemployment, layoffs, subsequent foreclosures, and crime. This bill would qualify cities like Stockton for the federal empowerment zone designation, which would help revitalize our city, our county, and most importantly to me, the families and students with whom we work." -- Dr. Mick Founts, San Joaquin County Superintendent of Schools

"I appreciate Congressman Jerry McNerney's efforts to advance the businesses in San Joaquin County and for introducing the Revitalize Our City Act. This bill will help to jumpstart the economy in San Joaquin County". -- John Solis, San Joaquin County WorkNet

"I support Congressman Jerry McNerney's Revitalize Our Cities Act aimed at extending federal empowerment zone designations. Our city, students and schools would benefit significantly if the zone were to include Stockton. Our students come from families who have not seen the same levels of economic recovery other areas are experiencing." - Gloria Allen, President of the Stockton Unified School Board representing a district of 37,000 students in a community that continues to struggle with high jobless rates and economic depression

"Thank you, Congressman McNerney, for introducing the Revitalize Our Cities Act. The City of Stockton and San Joaquin County lost too many jobs from the economic downturn and countless people lost their homes to foreclosure. On top of this, it has been challenging for minority business owners to access capital in order to grow their businesses. This piece of legislation will provide small businesses with more incentives to create jobs and will boost Stockton's economy. -- Paulett Amous-Gross, President, African American Chamber of Commerce of San Joaquin County

"Faced with a continuation of double digit unemployment rate and elimination of state of California incentives, we would welcome federal assistance and incentives that will attract private sector investment and create or retain jobs." -- Mike Ammann, President/CEO San Joaquin Partnership

"I appreciate the effort on our behalf by Congressman McNerney introducing this important piece of legislation." -- Doug Wilhoit, CEO of the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce

The bill is cosponsored by Rep. Gary Miller.

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