Camden Named A Federal Promise Zone
By David Madden
CAMDEN, N.J., (CBS) -- Camden has been named one of eight locales across America designated as a "promise zone" by the Obama Administration.
The designation means the city will get extra assistance in applying for and getting federal aid on a number of fronts.
Consider this a move to put Camden on the fast track for help. The city had to present a plan to forge public-private partnerships to assist in everything from crime prevention to education to housing. U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Regional Administrator Holly Leicht outlined some of the benefits coming with the 10-year designation.
"Priority access to federal funding, a federal liaison to help the designees navigate existing resources and five full time Americorps staff will be here, located within City Hall on the ground, to help support Promise Zone initiatives," said Leicht.
___
Camden had to prove it's made efforts to improve over the last five years and what it'll do with federal help paired with public-private partnerships over the next 10.
"HUD understands and sees what we've seen, because talk is cheap. What we've seen is actual change," said Congressman Donald Norcross.
West Philadelphia received a similar designation from the Obama Administration last year. It's hoped Camden will start to see some tangible results in as little as a year. Other cities on this year's list include Minneapolis, St. Louis, Hartford and Sacramento.
