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On December 24, 1998, the City received word that
its application for designation as a federal Empowerment
Zone /Enterprise Community (EZ/EC) was successful.
Lewiston's designation as a rural Enterprise Community makes
it the first and only EZ/EC community in New England. It
will mean at least $2.5 Million in federal assistance over a
10-year period ($250,000 annually) to help the community
implement its strategic plan. Nationally, EZ/EC communities
are leveraging additional funds at a 10/1 ratio through
expanded partnerships and collaboration.
Lewiston's selection was based on
the combined efforts of Empower Lewiston, the community
group which created a 10 year plan for revitalizing the
City's downtown and riverfront areas, and City Staff which
initiated, staffed and submitted Lewiston's application to
the U.S. Department of Agriculture. With this designation,
Empower Lewiston became an independent non-profit
organization, and took the lead in implementing the plan.
The plan contains 26 strategies for revitalizing Lewiston's
most challenged neighborhoods.
For more information on how you or
your organization/business can be a part of Empower Lewiston
and benefit from Lewiston's Enterprise Community
designation, contact Empower Lewiston's Neighborhood
Coordinator Barbara Rankins,
Tel. 777-5144, E-Mail:
empowerlewiston@verizon.net
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