Gillibrand urges HUD to designate Utica as federal promise zone

UTICA, N.Y. — The city of Utica should be a federal “promise zone,” U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand contends.

She wants the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to designate Utica as such, according to a news release her office issued Monday.

The designation would provide federal support to programs that focus on creating “sustainable” jobs, supporting economic development, improving educational opportunities, reducing crime, promoting access to health care, and increasing affordable housing through partnerships with local organizations in the region, Gillibrand’s office said.

If granted, the designation would bring additional investment, jobs, increased economic activity, more educational opportunities, and improved public safety to the city of Utica.

The proposed Utica promise zone would cover a population of 20,228 where the average household income is about $20,299, “less than half” of the national household median income, Gillibrand’s office said.

Promise zones are part of a White House initiative that President Barack Obama started, designed to bring federal and private investment to “high-poverty” communities across the country, according to Gillibrand’s office.

The promise-zone designation partners the federal government with local leaders who are addressing “multiple” community-revitalization challenges and have demonstrated a “commitment to results.”

The federal government provides promise-zone designees the “opportunity to engage AmeriCorps VISTA members in their work,” direct assistance in navigating federal resources, and preferences for certain competitive federal-grant programs, along with technical assistance from participating federal agencies, Gillibrand’s office said.

VISTA, which stands for “volunteers in service to America,” is a national service program that seeks to fight poverty in America, according to its website.

Designating the city of Utica as a federal promise zone is the “next logical progression” in its relationship with HUD, Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri said in the Gillibrand news release.

“Beginning with the community-needs assessment that was completed last year to my having met with HUD Deputy Secretary Nani Coloretti at the regional summit hosted in Utica, HUD has proven to be a great partner in the complete transformation that this city has witnessed over the last five years. I thank Sen. Gillibrand for her support of the city of Utica and join her in urging HUD to designate a Promise Zone in the city of Utica,” said Palmieri.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com