Forum on CRA uses coming to Apopka

Florida Economic Consortium hosting the event

In light of a recent Grand Jury Report out of Miami-Dade County, “CRA’s: The Good, The Bad and The Questionable”, the Florida Economic Consortium on Violence & Crime (“FEC”) is hosting a practical Community Redevelopment Agency (“CRA”) Lunch Forum to address concerns brought forth in the Report.

The Grand Jury Report has prompted the Florida Legislature to question the use of CRA funds by municipalities that are moving away from the statutorily intended purpose of Florida Statutes Chapter 163, Part III, which is to address slum and blighted areas. This Lunch Forum has been designed by FEC Attorney Greg Jackson, a CRA authority, to provide practical insights and strategies to CRA representatives, developers/builders and financial institutions

The goal is to assist existing CRA’s with the development of programs to positively impact communities through initiatives that may include affordable housing, land acquisition, and small business grants.

Attorney Greg Jackson, a CRA authority, designed the forum.

The CRA Lunch Forum will also focus on issues that correlate with the increase and perpetuation of violence and crime in high-risk communities.

"Some of the root causes of violence include lack of economic opportunity and poverty," said Rod Love, Chairman of the Consortium. "CRA’s, if leveraged with the success of Governor Scott’s “Let’s Get to Work” initiative that is leading the nation in job creation, would be uniquely positioned to serve as an economic stimulus to ignite positive growth within areas that have been identified as slum and blighted. The economic stimulus will lead to the creation of meaningful employment, as well as a sustainable small business footprint that will subsequently lead to the renewal of urban communities and contribute to local municipalities’ tax base, as intended by Chapter 163."

Call 407-494-2406 to register for the CRA Lunch Forum or to ask questions.

WHAT: CRA Lunch Forum: Information, Education & Implementation

WHEN: February 28th

WHERE: Fran Carlton Community Center - 11 North Forest Avenue, Apopka, FL 32703

TIME: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm