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| Santa Ana Federal Empowerment Zone Demographics |
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| Population: | 54,652 residents |
| Median Age: | 23.5 years |
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| Race: | |
| Hispanic or Latino | 96% |
| Caucasian | 2% |
| African American | 1% |
| Asian | 1% |
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Susan D. Peppler, Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development, U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development, highlighted Santa Ana's success under the
Empowerment Zone program that encourages job creation and business retention.
"Santa Ana has taken impressive steps under this program," said Peppler. "More than $25
million has been utilized by local businesses through tax-exempt bond financing, and over
2,300 residents have been placed in jobs, assisted with job training or received services."
"The good news is that HUD approved the City's request for an expansion of the boundaries
of the Santa Ana Empowerment Zone, creating an opportunity for an additional 1,234
businesses in the expanded area to take advantage of the $11 billion Tax Incentive
package," announced Peppler.
Peppler spent the morning visiting Santa Ana sites that had utilized the Empowerment Zone
opportunities, with a special focus on KidWorks, a program benefiting Santa Ana families
from pre-school through teenage years and their parents. Beginning with the vision of one
community member, the program has won strong support from throughout the community,
allowing it to expand its services for young people.
Santa Ana won designation for an Empowerment Zone in 1999, providing federal dollars,
tax credits and incentives to generate economic opportunities for underserved
neighborhoods and communities. The Santa Ana Empowerment Zone covers four square
miles of residential areas plus an additional four square miles of developable sites.
Estimates are that one in eight Santa Ana residents live within the Empowerment Zone
borders, which are based on the poverty rate and census tracts.
The Empowerment Zone is governed by a board of directors that includes four
Empowerment Zone residents and community organizations and leaders, enabling residents
to have a direct voice on how the Empowerment Zone assets are utilized.
Mrs. Peppler previously served as Mayor of Redlands, California, was a member of the
Smart Growth Roundtable for the Governor's Office of Planning and Research examining
affordable housing issues in the state, and was named "Woman of Distinction" by the San
Bernardino County Commission on the Status of Women.
For more information and to learn if a business is within the Empowerment Zone, contact
Santa Ana Empowerment Zone staff at (714) 647-5328.
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