(Washington, DC)— The House Appropriations Committee announced earlier this week that the FY2007 Urban Development Appropriations bill will include $150,000 for the establishment of the Milwaukee Urban Entrepreneurship Center and $150,000 for the remediation and redevelopment of the brownfields near Garfield Park and the 30th Street Industrial Corridor.

“These projects will help revitalize the Milwaukee area, both physically by redeveloping contaminated land and economically by supporting small business,” said Congresswoman Moore.  “The federal funds secured will not only help get these projects off the ground, but they will also inspire confidence in would-be private investors, hopefully prompting them to get involved and provide additional resources for these projects.”

Earlier this year, the city of Milwaukee was selected to become a member of the Urban Entrepreneur Partnership (UEP), a national initiative designed to promote inner-city entrepreneurship and job growth.  The Milwaukee UEP will encourage partnerships and joint ventures between Wisconsin corporations and minority business owners, as well as streamline and enhance existing financial and technical assistance programs to promote the creation and growth of small businesses in Milwaukee.

The $150,000 in federal funding will be used for the creation of the Milwaukee Urban Entrepreneurship Center, which will be located at the National Urban League's Milwaukee office in the Bronzeville district.  The initiative is led by the White House National Economic Council and the National Urban League, as well as other organizations. 

The Garfield Park Development (GDP) Project will receive $150,000 in federal funding for the redevelopment of six blighted brownfield properties in the heart of the 30th Street Industrial Corridor and the Walnut Hill neighborhood.  The area’s brownfields contain contaminated soil and dilapidated buildings that are a threat to the surrounding environment and impose a crippling effect on this economically disadvantaged neighborhood.  The GDP Project hopes to revitalize this underserved neighborhood and bring much needed public green space to Milwaukee’s urban core while eliminating the blight that currently occupies much of the area.

The House Treasury, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill is expected to pass when the House votes on it later this month.  After passage, the Senate will consider its own version.  Later in the year, a House-Senate conference will reconcile the two versions, upon which time each chamber will vote on final passage.

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For an interview with Congresswoman Gwen Moore, please contact Ashley Glacel at 202-225-4572.

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