The Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community Initiative presents an opportunity for both rural and urban communities throughout the United States to take part of a program that is designed to afford communities real opportunities for growth and revitalization. The program was designed to empower people and communities across the nation to work together to create jobs and opportunities, and ongoing grassroots participation is a key element of this program.
La Jicarita Enterprise Community is committed to work towards a collaborative
effort with local, state, and federal agencies in bringing the vision of
the community to a state of realty. The efforts put forth by
LJEC are included in the following list of successful collaboration between
all levels of government and other private/public partnership.
1. LJEC has been instrumental in acquiring over $10.5 million dollar
in infrastructure
development for water systems in the Enterprise Community.
2. LJEC is the recipient of a 1.1 million National Department of
Education, School To
Work Program. The project is being implemented in the Espanola,
Penasco, and Mora
High schools over a 3 year implemented plan.
3. LJEC is collaborating with the following agencies for additional
programs and projects
which directly impact our service areas. DVR, NM Alliance
for Supportive Employ-
ment, $750,000 for a three year project.
4. Taos Youth Build Program. $750,000 for a construction
related program with
opportunities for dropouts or students at risk.
5. Another program dealing with development disabled population in
the three counties
has been awarded to DVR for a Transition Into Apprenticeship program, for
$750,000
for a three year project.
6. La Jicarita Enterprise Community is currently negotiating for
the administration of
programmatic funds which will be invested into a community driven small
business loan
program. $250,000 are being invested for support of this initiative.
7. La Jicarita EC is also investing over $1.8 million into job creation
and community
capacity building for the communities associated with LJEC.
8. La Jicarita EC strongly supports a collaboration between the educational
facilities from
both NNMCC and LUNA Vocational Tech. Through our partnership
we have been
able to acquire federal funds for a distance learning initiative,
and a Rural Business
Economic Grant $117,000 to promote arts and crafts and artist studio tours.
La Jicarita Enterprise Community will continue to serve as one of five states addressing border related issues. We currently are a key player in a Southwest Border Region initiative. Texas, California, Arizona, and Washington state make up this region. The collaboration is the first EZ/EC and strongly supported by both President Clinton, and Vice President Al Gore. LJEC sees room for several economic spin-off opportunities both at the state and community levels of government.