Press Release
	For Immediate Release July 25, 2007	Contact: Deirdre Murphy (202) 225-4572

Moore Announces $600,000 to Boost Inner-City Entrepreneurs and Bus System in Milwaukee Area

Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Bill Passes House

Bill Includes Funds to Improve Economic Opportunities and Buses in 4th District

(Washington, DC)— Congresswoman Gwen Moore announced today that a total of $600,000 to help inner-city entrepreneurs and the bus system in Wisconsin’s Fourth District was included in the passage of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill last night. The funds would help to establish an Urban Entrepreneurship Center to promote job growth and creation, and improve accessibility and compliance with environmental standards on Milwaukee County buses.

“Our community’s vitality is rooted in creating economic opportunities for inner-city entrepreneurs and ensuring the safe and timely transportation of many workers and this money would help our community do just that,” Congresswoman Gwen Moore said.

The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill included the following funds for a total of $600,000:

$200,000 in Economic Development Initiative funds to go to the Metropolitan Business Collaborative to establish an Urban Entrepreneurship Center.

$400,000 in Bus and Bus facilities funds for Milwaukee County Bus Capital Program.

The Milwaukee Urban Entrepreneur Partnership (UEP) - a program designed to promote inner city entrepreneurship and job growth – would use the $200,000 to develop the Milwaukee Urban Entrepreneurship Center that would encourage joint partnerships between Wisconsin corporations and inner-city entrepreneurs. The Milwaukee UEP would also use the funds to improve existing financial and technical training programs, which would promote small business growth and development in the Milwaukee community area.

“These funds would encourage the sorts of strong business partnerships and hands-on entrepreneurial training programs which are critical to creating viable and sustainable businesses in our community,” Moore said.

The appropriations bill also included $400,000 for Milwaukee County’s bus and bus facilities. The money would be used to fund bus capital upgrades and other capital equipment needs, including wheelchair lifts and cleaner diesel engines for the buses, improved rider accessibility and assistance in complying with environmental standards. The improvements will give all bus riders, including the disabled, greater accessibility to the bus system, and has great benefits for the environment.

“Many of our residents rely heavily on the bus system for transportation to work and school and it is critical that we work together in keeping the system accessible, safe, and environmentally-friendly,” Moore said.

The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill passed the House last night by a vote of 268 to 153. It is now pending in the Senate.

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