Promise Zones Stakeholder Webinars & Public Comment Period

Next week, representatives from a number of federal agencies will be hosting webinars for communities interested in the Promise Zones Initiative, which provides communities that receive this designation with an opportunity to accelerate revitalization efforts through increased access to federal supports and programs. A public comment period related to the second round of applications is currently underway, with a solicitation expected later this year. At least five, and up to 15, new Promise Zone designations will be made in the second round. The first five Promise Zones designations were made at the beginning of this year.

These Promise Zone Stakeholder webinars are intended to address topics including: the public comment period for the application process and criteria for the second round of the Promise Zone Initiative, the timeline and eligibility to apply, and best practices from the first round. Three webinars will be held, with each one focusing on a different category of applicants:

• Promise Zone Initiative Stakeholder Webinar (Tribal)
• April 29, 2014 - 2:00 - 3:00pm EST
• Promise Zone Initiative Stakeholder Webinar (Urban)
• April 29, 2014 - 3:30 - 4:30pm EST
• Promise Zone Initiative Stakeholder Webinar (Rural)
• April 30, 2014 - 3:00 - 4:00pm EST

You must register for each webinar by 5:00pm on Friday, April 25 in order to participate. (Links to the webinar will be shared with registered participants on Monday, April 28.)

The public comment period on the proposed selection process and criteria opened on April 17, 2014 and will conclude on June 16, 2014.

To learn more about the Promise Zones Initiative, how to register for these webinars, or how to comment on the proposed selection process and criteria, please visit here. (Links to the proposed selection criteria and webinar registration pages are along the right side of the webpage.)

For past coverage of the Promise Zones Initiative, please check out our collection of blog posts here.