Title
Letter of Support - Application for Front Porch Florida Designation (NB)
Explanation
The Governor's Office of Urban Opportunity is inviting applications to nominate neighborhoods to receive "Front Porch Florida" designation.
Front Porch Florida is the cornerstone of the Governor's 1999 urban initiative, designed to empower local communities in urban areas to rebuild their neighborhoods in a comprehensive fashion. The program relies heavily on resident involvement and encourages coalitions with broad community representation.
In receiving a Front Porch Florida designation, each community will be asked to develop a neighborhood action plan that defines the problems specific to that community and empowers the community to develop solutions to those problems. Last fall, the first year of the program, six cities had neighborhoods that were designated as Front Porch Florida communities. This year, communities will be designated from the applications that are submitted by the June 19, 2000 deadline.
A coalition of local organizations, including the East Gainesville Development Task Force, City of Gainesville, Alachua County, Black-on-Black Crime Task Force, United Gainesville Community Development Corporation, and BCN Associates, has agreed to nominate the Duval neighborhood for Front Porch Florida designation. The combined efforts of public, private and nonprofit groups in the Duval area will strengthen this application.
Fiscal Note
The State of Florida has earmarked $5.2 million for Front Porch Florida incentive programs. These programs include inner-city economic redevelopment grants, micro-credit loans, front porch mentoring, and urban homesteading.
While no specific funding is being requested at this time, once Front Porch Florida designation is received, eligible local organizations would be in a position to apply for funding.
Recommendation
The City Commission authorize the Mayor to submit a letter in support of the applic...
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