Project Description
Southwest Florida Promise Zone
The Southwest Florida Promise Zone (SFPZ) was one of two rural areas designated by President Obama on May 6, 2016 during the third and final round of Promise Zone designations. The SFPZ, which is the only Promise Zone in Florida, covers all of Glades and Hendry Counties as well as the Immokalee portion of Collier County. The Promise Zone is a partnership led by the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council with goals of creating jobs, enhancing economic activity, improving educational opportunities, reducing crime and improving community infrastructure.
What are Promise Zones?
Promise Zones receive priority access to federal grant programs, federal staff on the ground to help implement their goals and full-time AmeriCorps VISTA members to the capacity of the Promise Zone initiatives. Promise Zone designations have a term of ten years and may be extended as necessary to capture the full term of availability of the Promise Zone tax incentives if enacted by Congress.
Over the past two years the 13 previously designated Promise Zone communities have garnered over $550 million in Federal investments to advance their goals.
Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA)
AmeriCorps VISTA is a national service program designed to alleviate poverty. President John F. Kennedy originated the idea for VISTA, which was founded as Volunteers in Service to America in 1965, and incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs in 1993
Associate – Southwest Florida Promise Zone VISTA
The region of Glades and Hendry Counties as well as the Immokalee portion of Collier County recently received an exciting Promise Designation from the White House. The Promise Zone initiative is a federal mulit-agency program aimed at prioritizing federal resources to areas of persistent poverty. The designation provides the Southwest Florida Promise Zone (SFPZ) with priority access to federal funding, technical assistance, and resources. As the lead local agency for the SFPZ, the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council is responsible for assist government entities (cities and counties), school districts, non-profit organizations and the public sector leverage the SFPZ designation to address poverty and crime in the region. The Promise Zone Associate VISTA Service Member will assist these efforts by assisting to identify funding needs in the region; pursuing grants; working closely with local governments; communicating with federal agencies; developing baseline data and and tracking the success of the SFPZ initiative; and more. This is a great opportunity to contribute to the success of a significant economic development program, assist residents in need, and gain experience in multiple government sectors.
Open VISTA Assignments:
- Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council – Opioid Epidemic Associate
- Southwest Florida Promise Zone Associate – Grants and Funding
- Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council – Environmental Stewardship
- The Immokalee Foundation – Mentor Recruitment & Data Management VISTA
- Panira Healthcare Clinic, Inc. Volunteer Program Manager
Meeting Agendas & Resources
| Date | Agenda | Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| 03/18/19 | Agenda | Minutes |
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VISTA STAFF
Regional Facilitation
The Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council is devoted to excellence in region-wide facilitation, research, and developing partnerships in many areas that make a difference locally and state-wide.