2001 Annual Report Executive Summary
Four Corners Enterprise Community (4CEC)
A Round III Rural Empowerment Zone application, including an updated Ten-Year Strategic Plan and ninety support letters and resolutions, was submitted to USDA. Partners contributed $20,000 to preparing the Round III application. Six regional public meetings were held to obtain public input. The 4CEC was increased to thirty-eight communities. Eighty-five projects with a funding need of $833,868,148 were submitted in the Round III process in addition to ninety-two projects with a funding need of $272,358,148 that were submitted during Round II. Eight of the initial benchmarks were completed, eleven added and four were deferred. Currently the online Benchmark Management System shows a 50: 1 leveraging ratio with $25,136,186 matched compared to $130,862,381 in total project costs. Fifteen projects received EC grants from the $500,000 received from USDA for years 1 and 2. The 4CEC Board of Directors was very active, having eleven regular monthly meetings, one special meeting, three committee meetings and received training and informational presentations from numerous partner agencies. Staffing peaked at five employees and additional (Rural Business Opportunity Grant) RBOG support is needed as twenty-six new benchmarks will be added in year 3. Office space was leased from the Kayenta Chapter and $10,000 was contributed by Navajo County, Arizona to secure a permanent office facility. A new RBOG application has been prepared.