Martin Weddle
Press Release

Finance Committee Approves Weddle Amendement for $1 Million for African American Community Economic Stimulus Package

Funding Designed to Award Micro-Grants to Community Organizations, Strengthen Youth Employment, Provide Financial Support to Community Organizations and Institutions

By - Nov 2nd, 2015 10:44 am

The Milwaukee County Board Committee on Finance, Personnel, and Audit Committee has approved an amendment by Supervisor Martin Weddle to provide $1 million in funding for an African American Community Economic Development fund designed to generate jobs for youths, support community organizations and provide micro-loans to small businesses.

The stimulus package is aimed at under-served neighborhoods, community organizations and cultural institutions that serve low-income, minority and at-risk populations. The amendment was sponsored by Supervisors Martin Weddle and co-sponsored by Supervisor Khalif Rainey.

“There is no question that Milwaukee is beginning to experience a new economic boom, but that prosperity is not being spread evenly,” Weddle said. “Our inner city is in economic crisis, and it’s up to us to do something to alleviate the economic pain that is taking place in some areas of the County.”

Weddle said that for too many African American youths, finding a job is highly difficult.

“We need to help our youths find jobs,” Rainey said, “but we also need to support our cultural institutions and our small businesses. This amendment will provide stimulus to a community that needs a serious boost so that all can share in Milwaukee’s new-found prosperity.”

The Board’s public hearing on the Recommended Budget begins at 6:30 p.m. tonight and will be held at the Mitchell Park Domes, 524 S. Layton Blvd. The hearing at the Domes is in addition to the public hearing and meetings already held by the Finance Committee during their deliberations on the annual budget.

The Committee on Finance, Personnel, and Audit will meet again on Wednesday, November 4th to consider any budget amendments resulting from the Board’s public hearing. The County Board is scheduled to adopt the budget for next year at its Monday, November 9th meeting, which begins at 8:30 a.m.

By Supervisor Martin Weddle, District 5 and Supervisor Khalif Rainey, District 2

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.

Mentioned in This Press Release

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