Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation

The Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corp., also referred to as UMEZ, is a non-profit organization that seeks to revitalize economically deprived communities by using public funds and tax incentives as catalysts for private investment. UMEZ’s mission is to sustain the economic revitalization of all communities of Upper Manhattan through job creation, corporate alliances, strategic investments and small business assistance.

History

The Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone is one of nine empowerment zones established by the Clinton Administration in 1994 to revitalize distressed communities by using public funds and tax incentives as catalysts for private investment. The initial 10-year designation was accompanied by a federal grant of $100 million. Unique among the empowerment zones, the governor of New York State and the mayor of the City of New York each matched the federal funding commitment, creating a total investment pool of $300 million. Of that pool, $50 million was designated for the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, leaving $250 million for investment in Upper Manhattan.

The Empowerment Zone began operations on February 14, 1995, and made its first round of grants and loans in October 1996. In the years since, the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone has invested $159 million in the neighborhoods north of 96th Street, catalyzing one of the most impressive reinvestment initiatives in urban America and revitalizing Harlem, East Harlem, Washington Heights and Inwood. Of the $159 million invested, $70 million has gone towards loans to small businesses and $89 million in grants have been directed to non-profit organizations. The efforts of the Empowerment Zone have created approximately 8,000 jobs for the Upper Manhattan communities.

Legislation enacted in 2000 extended the Empowerment Zone’s operations through December 2009.

Leadership

Kenneth J. Knuckles is the President and CEO of UMEZ. Hope Knight is the Chief Operating Officer.

See also

• Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone
• Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone on Facebook
• Empire State Development Corp.
• Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation
• Harlem
• Crain's New York article on small business in Harlem