Evans Secures $1 Million in Federal Funding for 52nd Street Initiative

PHILADELPHIA (March 25, 2022) – Congressman Dwight Evans (D-PA-3rd) today highlighted $1 million in federal funding he secured for The Enterprise Center's 52nd Street Initiative, joined by officials of the center.

"I was pleased to designate this $1 million in federal funding for the 52nd Street Initiative, a project that will transform the disinvested 52nd Street commercial corridor, in the government funding bill that President Biden recently signed into law," Evans said. "Through strategic property acquisition and rehabilitation, this initiative will develop a mixed-use, entrepreneurial hub for food, retail, and service business development."

The federal funds will be used toward the construction of the new 277 Community & Business Resource Center located at 52nd Street and Chestnut, which is both close to mass transit and an open area for large infill development and parking. This site leverages 52nd Street's location in an Opportunity Zone to create new economies of scale by grouping smaller, diverse businesses together in a shared space as well as attracting local minority businesses to fill retail leakage gaps.

The 52nd Street Initiative will serve low-to-moderate income minority-controlled enterprises (93% minorities and 72% African American) that have been especially impacted by the effects of COVID-19 and recent waves of social unrest. The project itself will create 20 permanent jobs including property manager, janitorial staff, client relations, marketing/website, accounting/operations, and leasing agents. In addition, temporary positions will include design services and rehabilitation/construction jobs.

"We are grateful for Congressman Evans' leadership and support of the 52nd Street transformation," said President and CEO of the Enterprise Center Della Clark. "2020 revealed what distressed communities already know: The curve of inequality and injustice remains steep because capital does not flow where it needs to go. Many of the residents we talk to recall shopping on 52nd Street with their parents for their first pair of shoes. I talk to people who went on their first date or had their first summer job at a small business on 52nd Street. Change will not happen for our distressed communities unless we invest capital of significant size and scale, like these federal funds, in people and places that help achieve self-sufficiency on their terms – this will spark intentional wealth."

Evans represents Pennsylvania's 3rd Congressional District, which includes Northwest and West Philadelphia and parts of North, South, Southwest and Center City Philadelphia. During Evans' first five years in Congress, his office has helped to return to or save more than $25 million for Philadelphians from federal agencies such as the IRS, Social Security Administration and Department of Veterans Affairs. His website is evans.house.gov and his social media handle is @RepDwightEvans on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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