Greene & Sumter Counties Rural Renewal Community
Latest Progress Reports
Annual Report
2000
1999
Funding Report
State: Alabama
Counties (Census Tracts): Greene (9744, 9745, 9746 ), Sumter (9912, 9913, 9915)
Population: 20,126
Area Size: 998 sq. mi.
Number of Census Tracts: 6
Poverty Rate: 48.5%
Other Data: Applicant requested approval to exclude Federal lands in the calculation of the total square miles. The Army Corps of Engineers has two tracts totaling 4.2 square miles in the application area. Excluding these lands makes the total square miles 998. The two counties are predominantly African-American: Greene 80.6% and Sumter 70.6%.
Overview
The applicant's vision is to "interdict and interrupt" the cycle of poverty in the area with a unified, comprehensive and coordinated plan and an approach which directly involves the people themselves working from the bottom up.
The strategic plan was divided into 9 "priority areas": (1) job creation, (2) infrastructure development, (3) education and training, (4) health care, (5) affordable housing, (6) environmental quality, (7) recreation and culture, (8) rural transportation, and (9) public safety and law enforcement.
Public Sector Commitments: $7,586,000
Highlights: The budget presented includes only funds from the SSBG. However, the applicant has pending (prior to submission of the EZ/EC application) grants and loans totaling $3,915,000 from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Farmers Home Administration.
These funds are for water and sewer, housing development, and youth programs. There are strong indicators of pending support from various state departments. Funding appears contingent on receiving EC status. The following is a summary of only the stated values pledged:
- Alabama Department of Economic Aid & Community Affairs--$500,000
- Community Block Grant Alabama Department of Economic Aid & Community Affairs--$100,000
- Land and Water Conservation Fund Alabama Department of Human Resources /Child Development--$70,000
- Alabama Department of Environmental Affairs--$1,000
- Alabama Department of Mental Health--$50,000
Private Sector Commitments: $0
Highlights: Letters of support from 4 local financial institutions; 17 local, county, state, and national government officials; and 13 community agencies and organizations. There were no specific commitments of funds from the private sector. However, the letters of support appeared genuine and sincere (no form letters).
Key Activities And Projects
Job Creation:
Create 1000 new jobs over the next 10 years by developing new "home-grown" businesses, fully utilize existing industrial parks in the EC area, create a "revolving loan and equity fund" to support and facilitate the development of businesses and new jobs.
Infrastructure Development:
Complete county-wide rural water systems in each county, establish an "infrastructure investment fund" to provide seed and matching funds for infrastructure development.
Education And Training:
Develop targeted job skill training programs, create an "education and training fund" to support and finance education, training and supportive services.
Health Care:
Concentrate on lowering infant mortality and teen pregnancy rates.
Affordable Housing
Assist every resident living in the EC community residing in substandard housing to upgrade their dwelling, develop partnerships with public agencies and community based organizations to utilize all state and Federal housing resources.
Contact:
Names: Ron Whetstone and Herlecia Hampton Address: 104 Hospital Drive Livingston, AL 35470 Phone: 205-652-7408 Fax: 205-652-7408 Email: greensum@www.ezec.gov
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