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Four Atlanta Project (TAP) clusters will reap benefits from Atlanta's new "Empowerment Zone" (EZ) designation. Atlanta and five other cities--Baltimore, Chicago, Detroit, New York, and Philadelphia-Camden--were named to the economic development program by President Clinton late last year.

The Carver, Grady, Southside, and Washington clusters are part of a 9.3-square-mile network of 30 neighborhoods that will receive $100 million in federal funds and $150 million in tax incentives over the next two years. The tax incentives will attract new businesses to the area, providing long-term jobs for thousands of local residents.

TAP, The Carter Center's program to address the social problems associated with urban poverty, was one of several organizations that helped the city prepare its EZ application.

"The Empowerment Zone designation offers both a means to provide additional resources for some of our clusters and a tremendous opportunity to advance the development of Atlanta's neediest communities," said Fred DeMent, TAP's economic development coordinator. "It is a natural partnership because of TAP's philosophy about community involvement in decision-making."

Before the application was submitted, staff and steering committee members from each cluster helped identify four funding priorities in their neighborhoods: new jobs and businesses, safe and livable communities, adequate housing, and lifting youth and families out of poverty.

TAP's involvement continues as a member of the EZ Executive Board, which also includes community residents, the private sector, service providers, the Atlanta Public Schools, and the Atlanta Housing Authority. In addition, a 36-member Community Empowerment Advisory Board comprised of neighborhood representatives is charged with selecting the agencies and programs that fulfill the mission of Atlanta's EZ program. Jane Smith, program director for TAP, serves on this board.

Thus far, some 180 private organizations have committed more than $700 million in investments to neighborhoods. State and city governments have pledged $290 million.

"The Empowerment Zone is a wonderful collaboration of dreams and opportunities," said Brenda Muhammad, coordinator of the Southside Cluster. "Finally, communities can connect with the resources that are sorely needed to implement their plans for improvement. The Atlanta Project is facilitating that connection."