[Mpls] REGARDING MY EARLIER POST:COMMENTS

[Jhpalmerjp at aol.com]

>>vanessabucca at msn.com writes:
At times  it seems as though more police would be needed. However, more 
police would not  be needed if the infrastructure of the area were more 
economically sound. Or if  the city’s empowerment zone would allow dollars to those 
wishing to start their  own businesses, other than nails; liquor; knock off 
clothing stores, and corner  “hood” stores selling outdated WIC (Women Infant‘s and 
Children), in addition to  selling cigarettes cheaper than any other place in 
the  city.<<


JP:
I agree wholeheartedly with Vanessa.  A  clear connection can be seen between 
the economic investment in a community and  the amount of crime and poverty 
that exists there.  The higher the  investment, the lower the other two become. 
 Sound economic investment is  key to diminishing and ultimately eradicating 
crime from areas.

To that  end, while the Empowerment Zone has put funding into a number of 
businesses and  initiatives, it has never put money into "nails; liquor; knock 
off clothing  stores, and corner “hood” stores selling outdated WIC (Women 
Infant‘s and  Children)" to my knowledge. In my mind, that approach would be 
counterproductive  to helping the community. 

What we have funded are places like Café Tata  Bunna, El Amin's Fish House, 
Lucille's Kitchen, the Franklin Bakery, Siyeza and  a host of others.  We also 
provide funds through the West Broadway Area  Coalition for West Broadway 
businesses to do façade improvements and we provide  free technical assistance and 
small business loans to EZ business through four  providers: NRRC, 
WomenVenture, MCCD and Whittier CDC.  In fact in the  course of our 5 1/2 years, $10.4 
Million (of our $25.8 Million) has been  committed to 34 economic development 
projects and initiatives, which have served  1,174 persons,  trained 170 
residents and created or retained 485 resident  jobs.  65 EZ business loans have 
been processed and 441 EZ businesses have  received technical assistance. 

Many people are not fully aware of what  we do and don't do, I encourage 
people to check out our website  (www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/ez) or email me 
directly at work at:  jonathan.palmer at ci.minneapolis.mn.us with any questions.  On 
our end, we're  trying to get the word out more of the resources we have to 
offer.

In  addition, the City has a great Business Finance division which works with 
 businesses to find resources and funding, they even put out a free guide on 
how  to start a business.  Bob Lind heads that up, and is another great person 
 to talk with.  Bottom line is that both the EZ and the Business Finance  
division are here to help and have been assisting people as they start up or  
expand their business, primarily small businesses.  Many people are not  aware of 
the resources available to them, and I would encourage anyone to  contact my 
office or other divisions for assistance.  

Jonathan  Palmer
Victory