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| Strategic Vision For Change |
"A transformed Camden, harmonious villages in which to raise children, where families are proud to live and people are excited to visit."In 1994, under the federal Empowerment Zone / Enterprise Community (EZ/EC) initiative, the City of Camden was awarded a $20.8 million federal grant as part of the Philadelphia-Camden Bi-State Empowerment Zone award. As part of a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Camden, the State of New Jersey and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Camden Empowerment Zone Corporation was charged with implementing the Camden Empowerment Zone Strategic Plan to help Empowerment Zone residents realize their vision and improve their quality of life. The strategic plan builds on revitalization principles in economic development, community improvements, human services and strategic planning for the Empowerment Zone that includes four residential neighborhoods: Cooper Poynt, Cooper Grant, Lanning Square, Gateway; the Central Business District and the Central Waterfront.The Camden Empowerment Zone Corporation (CEZC) began operations in 1996. To realize the vision of empowerment zone residents, CEZC has continued to significantly involve EZ residents in decision-making, planning and strategy development. CEZC provides grants, loans and technical assistance to EZ community-based organizations focused on four programmatic areas: Community Improvements, Human Services, Strategic Planning and Economic Development. This approach encourages community participation, fosters sustainable economic opportunities and builds partnerships to leverage additional resources.Since 1996, we have committed approximately sixty-seven percent (67%) of our grant award to support the strategic plan objectives established by community residents. To date, we have approved $14 million in funding that has leveraged more than $100 million in matching funds. This executive summary highlights some of the programs funded by the Camden Empowerment Zone Corporation (CEZC).
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| Community Based Partnership |
Image Building (G2.C1.P2)
CEZC’S efforts to refine our communications strategy continue and will be extended through 2006. The resulting plan will be designed to change quality of life perceptions about the empowerment zone and create a positive image for the City of Camden. It is hoped that implementing the communications plan as one of CEZC’s last programs will result in an increase in the number of visitors to the empowerment zone's revamped waterfront attractions and an increase in the number of potential homebuyers interested in zone housing opportunities. Emphasis will also be placed on identifying in-kind resources that can be made available by the participating entities.
Geographic Information System (G2.C2.P2)
Establishing a Geographic Information System (GIS) will enable the City and its residents to make informed land use decisions. Community decision making regarding local land use requires easy access to a multitude of geographic-based data stored in the various City departments and agencies. CEZC is the lead agency for making the City’s GIS technology accessible to EZ nonprofit organizations and neighborhood associations.While the City has not established a city-wide GIS system, it has made progress in developing and converting some data sets for GIS software use. Efforts continue between CAMConnect and the Camden Redevelopment Agency (CRA) to digitalize the City’s tax parcel maps and to train a limited number of City staff members. CEZC continues to work in concert with the City of Camden, CAMConnect, CRA, Hopeworks and others to gain both the needed expertise as well as access to data necessary to fulfill our goal of training 25 EZ/EC residents and supporting at least 6 EZ/EC organizations. The commitment of EZ funds for this effort has remained unchanged.
CAMConnect (G2.C2.P6)
CAMConnect is an emerging, Camden-based partnership organization devoted to obtaining, sharing and using data to better inform public policy decision-making; thereby, supporting the improved quality of life for all citizens of Camden. The partnership includes community and neighborhood groups, local government, community-based organizations, hospitals and educational institutions, and other nonprofit and for-profit organizations that utilize data to foster public policy, develop programs, provide services, and evaluate the programmatic results in Camden. CAMConnect emphasizes the application of data as a tool to action and implementation. The essential elements include the collection and storage of neighborhood/city level data; the development of meaningful indicators of the community's economic, social, and physical health; the creation of information that can be understood and used by the community; and the development and maintenance of an accessible Internet-based gateway to neighborhood and census tract level data. CAMConnect prepared and distributed a comparative statistical analysis of Camden, 1990 and 2000, and an analysis of Camden’s voter participation in local elections, 1987 to 2000.Through this collaborative process, the Camden community will strengthen its voice, advocate for, and be an active player in public policy decisions made about families and communities. CEZC and CAMConnect are partners in developing a GIS program for the Camden community.
Governor Conference on Housing & Community Development (G2.C2.P7)
CEZC pays registration fees for EZ residents and CEZC trustees to attend the Governor's Conference on Housing & Community Development held annually during September in Atlantic City. The Governor’s Conference provides presentations and panel discussions concerning a multitude of issues related to affordable housing production and financing, smart growth planning and community development initiatives in New Jersey. CEZC has sponsored registration fees for ten (10) participants since inception of this initiative. Two EZ conference participants used contacts made at the conference to create streetscape, tree planting and beautification projects in their respective EZ neighborhoods.
Open Solicitation and EZ Neighborhood Mini Grants Program (G2.C2.P8)
The CEZC encouraged empowerment zone-based non-profit organizations to identify emerging or chronic problems within their neighborhoods and then propose innovative strategies to address those problems. CEZC urged empowerment zone-based non-profits to build community partnerships with schools, social service agencies, private-sector organizations, and other institutions with a stake in creating safe and vibrant neighborhoods. In order to ensure that program funds are available to grass-root EZ organizations and groups with innovative ideas, CEZC seeks concept papers rather than comprehensively prepared proposals. Program funding decisions were made on a rolling basis and proposals were accepted through December 2003. Maximum grant amounts were $5,000.00.
Open Solicitation Proposals Approved:
Camden A-A Advisory Commission - $2,100
2004 Juneteenth Community Day
CAMConnect - $5,000
2003 Camden Kids Count Report
Camden County College - $4,200
2003 Adult Literacy / ESL Program
Camden Neighborhood Renaissance - $3,350
2003 Arts Festival
Camden Neighborhood Renaissance - $5,000
2004 Arts Festival
Juvenile Resource Center - $5,000
2003 School Weather Net Program
The EZ Neighborhood Mini-Grant component encouraged empowerment zone residents, community organizations, neighborhood associations, emerging organizations and other under-served stakeholders within the Camden Empowerment Zone to receive $750.00 mini-grants to improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods. Project funding decisions were made on a rolling basis and proposals were accepted through December 2003. Maximum grant amounts were $750.00. Neighborhood Mini-Grant Proposals Approved:
Bergen-Lanning Neighborhood Association - $500
2002 Neighborhood Day
Bergen-Lanning Neighborhood Association - $750
2003 Neighborhood Day
Downtown Camden Spring Festival - $750
2002 Health FairDowntown
Camden Spring Festival - $750
2003 Health Fair
Each One Teach One Consultants - $500
2003 Home Repair Training
EZ Student Intern Program (G2.C2.P9)
The "Whiz Kids for the City," EZ summer program provided twelve graduate and undergraduate student interns at no cost to seven EZ-based non-profit organizations to accomplish their program goals and provide local, alternative career options for students. As one of CEZC’s capacity building initiatives, nonprofit participants in this program raved about the quality of the student accomplishments and the students reported receiving more attractive permanent job offers.
Camden Neighborhood Leadership Institute (G2.C2.P10)
A capacity building initiative designed to promote civic participation, engagement and community organizing skill building for Camden residents was implemented through the establishment of the Camden Neighborhood Leadership Institute program. The CNLI program was developed by CEZC in conjunction with Camden Neighborhood Renaissance, Inc., Rowan University and several other nonprofit organizations. In its two years of operation, CNLI has trained 23 emerging leaders interested in improving their neighborhoods. Planning for the third CNLI program is underway.
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| Economic Opportunity |
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITYC1
Workforce Development
C2 Business Assisted
ISO 9000 Training Program (G3.C2.P3)
CEZC’s ISO 9000 Training Program, administered by EDTEC, CTC, and the Chamber of Commerce, was designed to prepare EZ companies to better compete internationally by improving the quality and implementation of certain management systems. It was envisioned that this program would enhance EZ businesses, increase market share, and increase employment opportunities for EZ residents. The training program intended to serve 30 EZ businesses and included course materials, a web page specifically designed for interaction between the participants and the instructor. The Chamber of Commerce marketed the program to EZ businesses and EDTEC recruited five EZ businesses for the first training classes that began in October 2002. Three of the initial seven companies completed the training program in May 2003. Several companies failed to complete the training program citing the declining business climate and the need for company personnel to devote their time to more immediate revenue producing activities. CEZC discontinued the program in light of the difficulties experienced in attempting to recruit additional businesses to participate in the program. We conclude that would be successful if there were a greater number of larger firms located in the
EZ.C3 Access to Capital
Small Business Development Fund (G3.C3.P3)
The Cooperative Business Assistance Corporation (CBAC), a nonprofit community development fund, provides a variety of lending programs to small businesses in the city of Camden that have difficulty accessing traditional credit markets. CBAC is certified by the U.S. Dept. of Treasury as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and has managed CEZC’s Small Business Development Fund since 1998. CEZC’s $2,000,000 fund provides EZ businesses with a source for micro loans ($1-$20,000), commercial loans ($20,000-$100,000), fixed asset loans ($100,000 to $250,000) and working capital loans for inventory, supplies, and other expenses. CBAC leverages CEZC funds with capital from a consortium of local banks, the US Department of Treasury, various private foundations and the Small Business Administration’s Micro loan program.To date, 51 EZ businesses have received $2,902,434 SBDF loans, leveraged with a total of $10,993,136 from other lenders. A cumulative of 150 new jobs were created from these loans, while a 353 jobs were retained in the EZ. In 2004, a total of eight EZ loans were approved totaling $484,500 in CEZC funds that leveraged $4,746,900. These loans created 32 new jobs and retained 40 EZ jobs.
Community Learning Center-Carpenter Building (G3.C3.P7)
Previously, CEZC entered into a lease/purchase agreement for the Carpenter Building to house the CEZC’s operations and be an Empowerment Center. CEZC moved into the Carpenter Building in July 1999, however the building purchase was voided later when the property owner was unable to subdivide the property; consequently we report Milestone F (Final Purchase of Property) as 0 percent complete. CEZC is currently investigating the availability of other properties to acquire prior to expiration of the Carpenter Building lease in July 2005.As an Empowerment Center, CEZC has used the Carpenter Building to serve small businesses through the EZ Business Center program (see G3.C2.P1.); provided rent-free office space for other nonprofit organizations, including the Camden Chamber of Commerce, Hireability, Inc. (workforce development solutions for disabled persons and employers) and the Rowan University Community Technology Center (Milestone E, also see G4.C8.P1.).Community Development Fund (G3.C3.P10)The CEZC Community Development Fund (CDF) supports industrial development, redevelopment, and commercial revitalization projects that create temporary and permanent job opportunities in the Empowerment Zone. As a revolving loan fund, the CDF seeks to collaborate with other financial institutions and public agencies to provide project-specific gap financing to community based non-profit organizations and for-profit real estate development corporations. The first loan commitment issued under CDF, a $200,000 loan to assist in the construction and permanent financing of transitional housing for formerly homeless men, is on hold pending resolution of the project sponsor’s appeal to obtain a zoning use variance. For-profit and a select group of non-profit real estate development projects are considered and evaluated for funding.
Advanced Communications and Information Networking Project (ACIN) –Camden Technology Seed Capital fund (G3.C3.P11)
In October 2001, CEZC authorized $200,000 to start the Camden Technology Seed Capital Fund for businesses located in the Drexel University-ACIN Camden Technology Center business incubator. CEZC’s funding was predicated upon Drexel-ACIN raising $800,000 of matching investment capital to start the $1,00,000 Fund. Despite the fact that the availability of venture capital funds dried-up with the failure of the IPO market during 2002, Drexel-ACIN successfully raised $800,000 in funding commitments in 2003-04 from the NJ Economic Development Authority, New Jersey Department of Labor and the Community Fund for New Jersey. At June 30, 2004, legal agreements documenting the Fund start-up are being negotiated among the partners.Since opening on March 1, 2001, the Camden Technology Center has attracted eight new companies and 25 jobs to Camden. The number of EZ/EC resident jobs created or retained is still zero as reported, however. Under our agreement, once the full $1,000,000 loan pool is in place, ACIN/Drexel will be obligated to create one full-time, permanent EZ/EC resident job for every $35,000 provided in loans by the Technology Seed Capital Fund to businesses located in the Camden Technology Center business incubator. The intended use of funds in this way is consistent with CEZC’s strategic plan to create job opportunities for empowerment zone residents.
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| Sustainable Community Development |
The CEZC works to ensure that empowerment zone residents organize to achieve profound and lasting change in empowerment zone neighborhoods. Emphasis is placed on creating physical changes such that the empowerment zone consists of neighborhoods of choice rather than neighborhoods of last resort. CEZC fosters rehabilitation and construction of affordable and market-rate housing within empowerment zone neighborhoods, reducing the number of vacant properties, and developing commercial and residential streetscape projects. In addition to funding significant commercial streetscape projects in the central business district, CEZC also made significant improvements to neighborhood parks and playgrounds. The Camden Empowerment Zone also includes the Camden waterfront. CEZC works closely with the waterfront development entities. CEZC’s early support of the Home Port Alliance resulted in bringing the Battleship USS New Jersey to the Camden waterfront as a museum, tourist attraction and source of employment opportunities for empowerment zone residents. In addition, tax-exempt EZ Facility Bonds were used to facilitate the permanent financing of the new waterfront minor league baseball stadium, Campbell’s Field. An estimated one million people are expected to annually seek entertainment at the USS New Jersey Battleship, Campbell’s Field, the Tweeter Center and the New Jersey Aquarium.
C1 Housing
Home Buyers Training- EZ Home Ownership Initiative (G4.C1.P1)
CEZC provided a $200,000 grant to Camden Neighborhood Housing Services to establish a three-year EZ Home Buyer's Training & Assistance Program that would provide EZ residents with comprehensive home buyer's education and counseling, including pre qualification, mortgage counseling, post purchase counseling and advocacy services. The program provided homebuyers training for 234 EZ families, with 76% of these families purchasing a home during or after the training. The EZ program was completed in December 2002. Camden Neighborhood Housing Services and St. Joseph’s Carpenter Society will continue to provide homebuyers training to Camden residents without further financial assistance from CEZC.
Grace Housing Project II - Camden Lutheran Housing, Inc. (G4.C1.P4)
Homeownership opportunities in North Camden will be improved through Grace Housing Project II planned by Camden Lutheran Housing Corporation (CLH) to support the completed Grace Housing Project I. CEZC’s commitment will permit CLH to construct 15 affordable single-family homes. Although the project requires additional funding commitments, progress has been slow because CLH can only obtain site control and ownership of several privately owned properties through eminent domain and through the City’s foreclosure on tax delinquent vacant properties. The Camden Redevelopment Agency is assisting CLH by exercising its eminent domain power on behalf of this project. In addition, the project has experienced unforeseen problems, including finding contaminated soil on the project site requiring additional time to clean the site. A final environmental assessment was completed. The project continues to receive financial support from the City of Camden and the NJ Department of Community Affairs despite these delays, although the likely construction start date is now uncertain. A state housing corporation will transfer city-owned and privately owned properties to CLH for this project. CLH expects to submit a Balanced Housing program funding application once it obtains site control of the properties.
Housing Rehabilitation- State Street Housing Corporation (G4.C1.P5)
State Street Housing Corporation, is a nonprofit housing developer and property management agency located in North Camden. With CEZC’s financial support, SSHC planned a scattered site housing rehabilitation program to allow 15 low and moderate-income families to become first-time home buyers. Purchase prices range from $35,000 to $45,000. SSHC experienced difficulty qualifying prospective purchasers for mortgage financing and converted the rehabilitated homes into managed rental units.
Knox Byron II Project / North Camden Land Trust (G4.C1.P6)
The Knox / Byron section of North Camden was long forgotten by City officials. Once ridden by drugs and abandoned houses, completion of the Knox Byron II Project breathed new life into this portion of the empowerment zone. With CEZC support, the North Camden Land Trust (NCLT) rehabilitated 11 EZ properties in this neighborhood and converted them to limited-equity cooperative units. With financial support from other sources, NCLT rehabilitated six properties located outside of the EZ and continues to acquire properties for future rehabilitation projects. All construction work was performed through a wholly owned subsidiary that hired local residents to rehabilitate the units. The Knox Byron II project produced 17 affordable housing units. This project expands on the 10 units constructed in Knox/Byron I and stabilizes the neighborhood adjacent to a proposed small industrial park, police sub-station, and greenbelt surrounding North Camden.
Cooper Grant Homes Project (G4.C1.P8)
Homeownership opportunities will be enhanced through the Cooper Grant Homes Project. Touted as the first market-rate, new housing construction in Camden since the 1950’s, the Cooper Grant Homes Project was originally planned as 24 twin, single-family homes in this EZ neighborhood adjacent to Camden’s waterfront. The project was revised to include 18 townhouse and 10 twin, single-family homes to be sold at market rates without an income cap being imposed on purchasers. All funding commitments for the project have been committed and the Planning board’s preliminary and final site plan approval and land parcel subdivisions for the housing units were obtained in July 2004. The project developers, Pennrose Properties, Inc. and the Cooper Grant Neighborhood Association (CGNA) expect construction to begin in Spring 2005.
Gateway Housing Needs Assessment (G4.C1.P11)
CEZC obtained a housing assessment and feasibility study for housing development in the Gateway census tract, an area that has not had a housing group respond to CEZC’s prior housing initiatives. Rutgers Walter Rand Institute and Urban Partners, Inc. provided completed the assessment and study. The study's findings and recommendation helped determine the CEZC's strategy for a housing initiative in the Gateway census tract.
Royal Court Mortgage Subsidy Program (G4.C1.P13)
CEZC provided mortgage subsidies for homebuyers at the Camden Housing Authority’s Royal Court Townhouses Project, which for years had been a HUD Turnkey III rental housing development. Authorized in February 1999, the Royal Court Mortgage Subsidy Program was intended to provide a 100% closing cost subsidy for 30 former Royal Court Townhouse residents who were expected to relocate back to the Royal Court upon completion of its renovation. Prior to occupancy of the townhouses, a new CHA administration was able to waive closing costs for all former Royal Court residents. CEZC provides empowerment zone residents with a $2,500 subsidy toward closing costs when they acquire a Royal Court Townhouse. Six EZ residents purchased Royal Court homes and participated in CEZC’s Mortgage Subsidy Program.
Police M.A.L.L. (Multi-Agency Life Line)(G4.C2.P2.)
The Camden Police Department’s Juvenile Bureau organized the Multi-Agency Life-Line (MALL) to combat delinquency among the city’s youth and offer alternatives to the filing of criminal charges whenever possible. About twenty law enforcement, justice, education, and human service agencies are united in a “one stop shop” collaborative effort to mobilize resources to positively impact youthful offenders and increase public safety. Among the MALL’s components, therapists in the Family Intervention unit provide therapy and advocacy at the Police Juvenile Bureau during the day, evening and on weekends. Of 188 youth and families receiving Family Intervention services in 2002, 72 received crisis intervention services that enabled them to remain at home, 96 were diverted from the justice system, and 20 youth had charges filed and were detained.Under the Safe Haven, an after-school enrichment program based at Rutgers University, a full-time police officer, a Site Coordinator, as well as other part-time staff and consultants served 147 youth. Seventy youth successfully completed the program, 7 were still active in the program at the end of 2002 and 70 youth were referred to Family Court for more intensive services due to poor attendance, non compliance with rules or refusal to participate once admitted. Only 5 youth committed new crimes while involved in the program. All of the graduates represent youth that would have been involved in the justice system without this program. In addition, Safe Haven graduates serve as mentors, peer counselors and field trip chaperones, provide violence prevention workshops for other youth, conduct neighborhood clean-up projects, collect food and holiday gift donations for needy families, and assist Dooley House residents. Since the MALL’s inception, the number of youth annually referred to Family Court has decreased from 1,600 to approximately 900, in spite of a 10% increase in arrests!
The Camden Police Department’s Juvenile Bureau organized the Multi-Agency Life-Line (MALL) to combat delinquency among the city’s youth and offer alternatives to the filing of criminal charges whenever possible. About twenty law enforcement, justice, education, and human service agencies are united in a “one stop shop” collaborative effort to mobilize resources to positively impact youthful offenders and increase public safety. Among the MALL’s components, therapists in the Family Intervention unit provide therapy and advocacy at the Police Juvenile Bureau during the day, evening and on weekends. Of 243 youth and families receiving Family Intervention services since 2002, 96 received crisis intervention services that enabled them to remain at home, 151 were diverted from the justice system, and 50 youth had charges filed and were detained.In 2003-04 under the Safe Haven after-school enrichment program, a full-time police officer, Site Coordinator, as well as other part-time staff and consultants served 55 youth. Eleven youth successfully completed the program, 14 were still active in the program in 2004 and 30 youth were referred to Family Court for more intensive services. All of the graduates represent youth that would have been involved in the justice system without this program. Since the MALL’s inception, the number of youth annually referred to Family Court has decreased from 1,600 to approximately 900, in spite of a 10% increase in arrests! Additonally only 24%, of all particpants have reoffended, 76% of all MALL/Safe Haven participants have not reoffended. Many of these Safe Haven graduates now serve as mentors, peer counselors and field trip chaperones, provide violence prevention workshops for other youth, conduct neighborhood clean-up projects, collect food and holiday gift donations for needy families, and assist Dooley House residents.
C3
USS New Jersey Battleship –Home Port Alliance (G4.C3.P3)
CEZC’s early support of the Home Port Alliance resulted in the US Navy Ship Donation Program designating Camden as the homeport for the USS New Jersey, a battleship built in the Camden-Philadelphia port during 1940-42. The USS New Jersey is anchored in the heart of the empowerment zone and adjacent to a light industrial/commercial area in the Lanning Square census tract. CEZC’s funds were used to construct a one-story visitors’ center/retail store adjacent to the pier. The battleship museum opened to the public in October 2001. CEZC provides technical assistance to Home Port Alliance staff to enhance use of the Battleship Museum as a source for employment and training opportunities for empowerment zone residents.
Broadway Streetscape Project I (G4.C3.P5)
CEZC joined with the City of Camden to reinvigorate the economic potential of the Broadway commercial corridor by undertaking a streetscape and façade grant program in the two blocks between Mickle Boulevard and Benson Street. The Broadway commercial corridor, no longer the heart of the central business district, is dominated by a diverse mixture of first floor retail businesses with apartments above. To the surprise of many, the business and property owners rejected participation in the façade grant program. The project continued with the streetscape improvements that included replacing street lighting fixtures, installing new brick and concrete sidewalks, and planting trees. The project was completed and many shoppers are now attracted to the area. Spurred by the success of this project, planning towards the redevelopment of the next two blocks of Broadway is now underway amid a flurry of private sector investment activity.
Sears Building Site Redevelopment Study and Plan (G4.C3.P7)
In 2000, CEZC authorized the expenditure of up to $10,000 to prepare a redevelopment study and plan for the Sears Building redevelopment area in the EZ’s Gateway census tract. The City Council authorized the Camden Planning Board and the City’s Division of Planning to conduct an investigation and prepare an area in need of redevelopment study and a redevelopment plan for the Sears Building redevelopment area. In July 2000, an agreement between the City of Camden and the Camden Empowerment Zone Corporation for planning services was executed to undertake the study.The first draft of the Sears Area Study and Redevelopment Plan was delivered in July 2001. CEZC’s staff and Strategic Planning subcommittee reviewed the draft and submitted comments that were incorporated into the study. During 2001 and 2002, the City underwent intervention from the State of New Jersey that essentially stopped all development activity as a state-appointed Chief Operating Officer was given administrative and operational control of city government. With the approval of the COO in May 2003, the Sears Area study and redevelopment plan is being revised by Division of Planning at the request of the Campbell Soup Company. The geographic area of the plan is being expanded to include the Campbell Soup Company’s world headquarters. CEZC was informed that the revised study will not be available until the fourth quarter of 2004 at the earliest.
C6
EducationYouth Entrepreneurship Training (G4.C6.P2)
CEZC, EDTEC, Inc. Juvenile Resource Center, Hopeworks 'N Camden, the Rutgers Center for Management and Entrepreneurship, the Camden Board of Education School Based Youth Services Program, and the Walt Whitman Cultural Arts Center provided entrepreneurship training and youth skills development to a minimum of 36 adult service providers and 29 EZ youth.The partnership provided training to adults to develop and maintain youth entrepreneurship programs within their various organizations. The youth were provided training in technology skills, banking employment skills, leadership skills, entrepreneurship skills, and assisted in developing and starting begin youth owned businesses. Hopeworks recruited 60 EZ youth for their training component, of which 28 have participated in the computer training. JRC provided entrepreneurial training for 17 students. The students were able to start their own businesses and 3 micro-loans were approved for a business card company, a JRC company store, and a computer consulting company. The students have also participated in trips for computer conferences and recreational activities. Recruitment for the 6-month entrepreneurial training in the construction trades was unsuccessful so that component was cancelled.
C7
Cultural Arts Initiative (G4.C7.P4)
Through the Cultural Arts Initiative, CEZC encourages empowerment zone-based arts organizations or community-based cultural organizations to provide additional cultural arts programs to empowerment zone residents. CEZC solicits brief concept papers that reflect empowerment zone guidelines regarding leverage, sustainability, and partnerships. An important goal of the program is opening the grant application process to traditionally under-served stakeholders, and CEZC urges applicants to reach out within their communities and build partnerships with schools, social service agencies, private-sector organizations, and other institutions. The maximum grant amounts are $5,000.00 and CEZC authorized an aggregate amount not to exceed Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00). The program period was extended through December 2003. Proposals approved or funded to date:
Rutgers Camden Center for the Arts - $5,000
Perkins Center for the Arts – Mural Project - $5,000
C8
Community Technology Center - Rowan University (G4.C8.P1)
Rowan University (Camden Campus) agreed to seek to partner with the CEZC to create a community technology center to provide basic computer literacy and software training to EZ youth and their families. Although applications submitted to the U.S. Department of Education for funding under their Community Technology Program were unsuccessful, Rowan University and CEZC implemented the community technology center strategy. In March 2003, Rowan University and CEZC established the Camden Neighborhood Technology Center at CEZC’s offices to provide access to computer technologies to Camden youth and their family members. At the Center, donated PC equipment is refurbished by trained technicians and Camden youth. The program requires that a youth and at least one parent complete PC training together. Upon completion of the training, the youth is given a free, refurbished computer. The Center is open three evenings per week and Saturday mornings. Last year, about 50 computers were given to local youth and their families.
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| Tax Incentive Utilization Plan |
The Camden Empowerment Zone Corporation used $7 million of EZ Facility Bonds to provide permanent financing for Camden’s new minor league baseball stadium. In addition, the CEZC has presented workshops on the various EZ/RC tax incentives, mailed and faxed marketing materials about the tax incentives to EZ and RC businesses, and created an EZ Business Grant program for Camden businesses that hire EZ residents. The EZ Business Grant encouraged small businesses to increase their EZ-resident employees. The EZ Business Grant program was marketed one-on-one by student interns and was a way for the CEZC to market the other tax incentives while presenting immediate rewards to Camden businesses employing EZ residents.
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| Other Accomplishments |
Through June 2004, the Camden Empowerment Zone Corporation has allocated $20 million in projects to achieve our EZ residents’ vision resulting in investments in the EZ that exceed $120 million.
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