HUD ASSISTANCE HAS HELPED MISSISSIPPI DELTA COMMUNITIES CREATE JOBS, SPUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, EXPAND HOUSING SUPPLY

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has worked closely with communities in the Mississippi Delta to help them create jobs, spur economic development and expand the supply of affordable housing,

President Clinton was in Clarksdale, MS, today on the second stop of his six-city New Markets Tour of six urban and rural areas with high poverty rates that are in great need of business investment.

Here are some highlights from HUD's partnership with Delta communities:

• HUD has given special assistance to five urban Enterprise Communities in the lower Mississippi Delta: Pulaski County, AR; Ouachita, LA; Memphis, TN; Jackson, MS; and New Orleans, LA, for housing and economic development programs.

• Since 1995, HUD has awarded $215 million to the State of Mississippi. The funds have been used to leverage private investment, grow businesses and create jobs.

• Over $1.4 million in HUD funds were used to support the creation of an 800,000 square-foot Bill's Dollar General Store in Indianola, MS, creating 200 full-time jobs.

• HUD efforts are expanding homeownership opportunities for Delta residents. Since 1993, the Federal Housing Administration, which is part of HUD, has insured over 50,000 home mortgages in Mississippi. Since 1995, Mississippi has used $70.6 million in HOME funds to help approximately 1,876 residents get access to affordable homes.

Content Archived: January 20, 2009