2003 Annual Report Executive Summary
Griggs-Steele County Empowerment Zone
The Griggs-Steele Empowerment Zone (GSEZ) realized the highest level of financial and community activity to date during fiscal year 2003. There were 25 loan and equity applications approved totaling $1,927,385; 14 grant applications approved totaling $400,000; and 149 program requests approved totaling $209,419 in 2003. The $2.5 million of business and community development funding by the GSEZ helped finance over $11 million of activity in 2003. These investments are expected to create or retain 111 full time jobs in the two county zone area that has a population of less than 5000 residents.
Just as important, are the strides
that have been made in regards to public understanding of the empowerment zone
program. Community meetings, a successful community coordinator program, active
board leaders, and promotional efforts have improved the public’s awareness to
the remarkable opportunity that this rural area has in reversing an
out-migration problem that has plagued us. The Can-Do attitude that is being
developed along with the tools and resources available are slowly transforming
this community into a place that one wants to live and work in now and into the
future.