CUOMO AWARDS $6.5 MILLION IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GRANTS TO 19 HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

WASHINGTON - Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo today announced $6.5 million in grants to help 19 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) address housing needs and revitalize distressed areas in their communities.

Cuomo announced the grants at a conference sponsored by the White House Initiative on HBCUs in observance of National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week, September 20-26.

President Clinton, who in 1993 signed an Executive Order expanding the role of HBCUs in national affairs, said, "HBCUs are a source of great pride and a symbol of economic, social and political growth."

"Our partnerships with HBCUs continue to grow and succeed," Cuomo said. "HBCUs are demonstrating their determination to make a difference in their neighborhoods by expanding their community outreach and developing community-driven solutions that work."

The recipients of HUD's latest round of HBCU grants are located in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

Grants range from $250,000 to $380,000 and will be used to fund a variety of activities, including: housing rehabilitation, business development, pre-employment counseling, job training, and job creation. Since 1991, HUD has awarded more than $49 million to HBCUs to support economic and community development activities.

The 19 HBCUs receiving grants are:

• Albany State University, Albany, Georgia . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . $365,897
• Benedict College, Columbia, South Carolina . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . $365,898
• Bennett College, Greensboro, North Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $365,897
• Coahoma Community College, Clarksdale, Mississippi . . . . . . . . . .$300,000
• Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City, North Carolina . . . .$365,897
• Fayetteville State University Fayetteville, North Carolina . . . . . . . .$365,897
• Gadsden State Community College, Gadsden, Alabama . . . . . . . .$300,000
• Howard University, Washington, District of Columbia . . . . . . . . . . .$365,898
• Huston-Tillostson College, Austin, Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$278,057
• Interdenominational Theological Center Atlanta, Georgia . . . . . . . .$330,000
• Jackson State University, Jackson, Mississippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$365,897
• North Carolina A&T State University Greensboro, North Carolina. . .$365,897
• Paul Quinn College, Dallas, Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$250,000
• Philander Smith College, Little Rock, Arkansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$275,129
• Savannah State University, Savannah, Georgia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$361,943
• Texas Southern University, Houston, Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$365,897
• University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Arkansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$365,898
• Virginia State University, Petersburg, Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .$380,000
• Xavier University, New Orleans, Louisiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$365,898

Jackson State University, working in cooperation with the West Jackson Community Development Partnership, will use its grant to increase homeownership in neighborhoods adjacent to campus.

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University will use its grant to help public housing residents learn computer technology by establishing a Neighborhood Telecommunications Network Resource Facility.

Savannah State University will use its funds to convert an abandoned building into a community facility that will house a senior citizens center, a community counseling center, and serve as the site for fair housing educational seminars.

Fayetteville State University will work with the city of Fayetteville to develop a neighborhood retail plaza that will create jobs for area residents.

Additional information about HUD's Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program can be obtained by calling 202-708-1590.