LV picked for special HUD funds

Erin Neff

Friday, Jan. 15, 1999 | 11:18 a.m.

Southern Nevada has been named one of 15 regions nationwide eligible for federal housing funding as part of an empowerment zone program.

As a "strategic planning communities" finalist, Clark County could gain $3 million in Department of Housing and Urban Development funding for revitalization and job creation programs.

Clark County and the cities of Las Vegas and North Las Vegas applied for HUD's urban empowerment zone designation. Although the region was not among the 15 communities selected for that designation, it could still receive money if Congress approves the appropriations in its 2000 fiscal year budget.

Southern Nevada was the only Western community selected as a strategic planning community -- finishing ahead of groups from Phoenix, Denver, Salt Lake City and Albuquerque.

Douglas Bell, manager of Clark County's community resources management division, said Southern Nevada was selected as a finalist due to the cooperation of the various housing entities.

"This designation was achieved as a result of unprecedented regional planning and collaboration among county, cities and state government and many private sector partners, as well as the solid support of our Nevada congressional delegation," Bell said.

As part of its application, Southern Nevada submitted a strategic revitalization plan that acted as a road map for transforming the area's 11 most economically-disadvantaged census tracts.

In 1994, Southern Nevada received designation as an "enterprise community" and has received funds for small business workshops, job fairs and mentoring programs for disadvantaged youth.

Vice President Al Gore announced the new empowerment zones and strategic planning communities Wednesday.

Gore said President Clinton's proposed 2000 fiscal year budget will seek an additional $45 million in special grants for the strategic planning communities.