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Rural Development Texas 
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Office of Community Development

The Empowerment Zone/Enterprise Communities/Champion Community program is a presidential initiative designed to provide economically depressed rural areas and communities with real opportunities for growth and revitalization. Its mission: to create self-sustaining, long-term economic development in areas of pervasive poverty, unemployment, and general distress, and to demonstrate how distressed communities can achieve self-sufficiency through innovative and comprehensive strategic plans developed and implemented by alliances among private, public, and nonprofit entities. The mission of the EZ/EC/CC program is embodied in four key principles:
  • Economic Opportunity - including job creation within the community and throughout the region, entrepreneurial initiatives, small business expansion, and training for jobs that offer upward mobility;
  • Sustainable Community Development - to advance the creation of livable and vibrant communities through comprehensive approaches that coordinate economic, physical, environmental, community, and human development;
  • Community-Based Partnerships - involving participation of all segments of the community, including the political and governmental leadership, community groups, health and social service groups, environmental groups, religious organizations, the private and nonprofit sectors, centers of learning, other community institutions, concerned citizens and low-income residents; and
  • Strategic Vision for Change - which identifies what the community will become and develops a strategic map for revitalization.
This program is only the first step in rebuilding poverty-stricken communities in America’s rural heartland. It is designed to empower people and communities all across the nation by inspiring Americans to work together to create jobs and opportunity.

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