Cherry Hill, NJ – Today, Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) announced that Camden City has been selected from a pool of over 125 national applicants as one of our country’s eight new Promise Zones. Administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Promise Zone designation provides our country’s most vulnerable areas with additional federal resources by partnering with state and local leaders who are fully committed to improve the community. 

Under the Promise Zone program, the federal government will focus on accelerating local efforts to create jobs, increase economic activity, expand educational opportunities, and reduce violent crime throughout the City. Specifically, the designation will allow Camden to receive priority access to federal investments, as well as additional federal staff on the ground to help local leaders successfully navigate available programs. Also, Camden will receive five full-time AmeriCorps VISTA members to recruit and manage volunteers and seek grants that improve health services, foster economic development, and grow jobs for City residents.  

"Today, we are entering a new and exciting chapter in Camden City's turnaround,” said Congressman Norcross. “Building upon the framework for success that has been laid at a state and local level, this designation will provide key federal resources to jump start efforts currently underway to grow jobs, improve public safety, and enhance education opportunities. We are proud to be selected as one of 8 cities nationwide for this important designation and I thank President Obama and Secretary Castro for sharing in our vision for Camden and for recognizing the City's potential as a great place to work, study and live."

“Mayor Redd understands best the difficult challenges facing Camden and its residents,” said Senator Menendez. “She also recognizes that tackling these challenges requires a comprehensive, collaborative, locally driven strategy and a strong, sustained partnership with both the federal government and the private sector.   This important designation will give Mayor Redd and Camden a set of tools that will cut through bureaucratic barriers, incentivize new investment and help the city achieve its goals of a better, safer, healthier place to live and raise a family.”  

“This announcement recognizes the tremendous progress Camden has made and reinforces the commitment of federal government to work closely with nonprofits, business leaders, and local officials to ensure that every child has the ability to prosper,” said Senator Booker. “Camden's designation as promise zone will help us create more jobs, make significant investments in our children, and reduce crime. I will continue working with all the partners that made this possible and join them in celebrating this announcement.”

Below is a complete list of the Promise Zone designees announced earlier today by President Obama’s Administration: 

1. Minneapolis, Minnesota
2. Sacramento, California
3. Indianapolis, Indiana
4. Camden, New Jersey
5. Hartford, Connecticut
6. St. Louis/St. Louis County, Missouri
7. Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota
8. The Lowlands of South Carolina

Visit http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=PromiseZoneCamden.pdf for more information regarding Camden’s Promise Zone designation.