Ryan’s Community Regeneration Bill Gains Steam

Ryan’s Community Regeneration Bill Gains Steam

MVOC, other organizations increase grassroots lobbying efforts

Working closely with U.S. Congressman Tim Ryan and U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, the Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative (MVOC) has been waging a grassroots campaign to garner support for the Community Regeneration, Sustainability, and Innovation Act of 2009 (CRSI). If enacted, this legislation will create a $600 million competitive grant program within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Affairs (HUD). The bill focuses on the provision of funding for assistance in planning and implementing strategies for the redevelopment of older industrial cities like Youngstown and Warren.

“We’ve organized a successful legislative briefing, built partnerships with groups like the Midwest Northeast Institute and NPA, and have made a number of trips to the capital to get momentum on this piece of legislation,” stated Phil Kidd, who has been the MVOC legislative point person on the bill. “Our strategy is focused on building a national coalition of community organizations and development corporations, mayors, members of Congress, and policy institutes representing cities across the nation who qualify for the program,” said Kidd.

The strategy kicked off in March 2009 with a legislation briefing in Washington, D.C. for 60 individuals representing the National Vacant Properties Campaign, the Northeast Midwest Institute, National People’s Action, and co-sponsor congressional staff – as well as representatives from nine qualifying cities.

Qualifying cities must demonstrate a 20 percent population decrease since 1970, or have undergone prolonged population, income and employment loss. The cities of Youngstown and Warren both qualify, having experienced a 42 percent and 27 percent population loss, respectively. As a result, both cities stand to benefit from the bill. Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams endorses the bill, stating that “CRSI would provide a significant boost to Youngstown and cities like Youngstown.”

Through the CRSI Coalition, MVOC seeks to gain additional exposure for the legislation by attending hearings and encouraging the support of congressional members who possess the power to move the legislation through committee. In addition to advocating for CRSI, the coalition hopes that, by extension, members of Congress will begin to understand the important role that older industrial cities can play in the creation of a more sustainable and robust national economy.

A local member of the coalition, Christine Silvestri, understands what a benefit CRSI could be to communities like Youngstown and Warren. She also understands the importance of being organized in order to give the legislation the best chance possible for passage. Echoing local leaders, Silvestri believes that MVOC’s strategy is “the beginning of getting the bill out there.”

If you would like to know more about this exciting legislation or are interested in participating in the campaign, please contact Alaina Gilchrist at 330-743-1196 or email alaina@mvorganizing.org.

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