Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is urging the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development to designate Utica as a federal Promise Zone.

Gillibrand says the Promise Zone designation would allow the City to continue vital community development initiatives.

She says the designation would also facilitate major investments in Utica to help empower neighborhoods and revitalize the local economy.

The proposed Utica Promise Zone would cover a population of 20,228 where the household income is about $20,299 -- less than half of the national median income.

“Designation of the City of Utica as a federal Promise Zone is the next logical progression in our relationship with HUD,” said Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri. “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.

 

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