CHESTER – Chester Mayor John Linder signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with several federal agencies to continue the Strong Cities, Strong Communities (SC2) initiative. SC2 is a customized pilot initiative aimed at creating new partnerships between federal agencies and localities to spark economic development in communities that have faced significant long-term challenges in developing and implementing their economic strategies. In addition to signing the MOU, federal and city officials announced their agency’s commitment and goals at a press conference in Chester today.
Since September 2011, federal agencies have provided experienced staff to work directly with six cities: Chester, PA; Cleveland, OH; Detroit, MI; Fresno, CA; Memphis, TN; and New Orleans, LA. In Chester, the SC2 team is composed of representatives from the Small Business Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, Treasury Department, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Justice, Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Transportation, Department of Labor, and the General Services Administration.
“The distinction which Strong Cities, Strong Communities (SC2) brings, enables us to vigorously engage in sustaining progressive change in Chester” said Mayor Linder. “These initiatives will lead to a comprehensive twenty-first century model of an entrepreneurial and “generative community”, self-sustaining in areas of economic development, integrated healthcare, and international trade and export; specifically facilitated by Chester spanning the eastern seaboard.”
On March 15, 2012, President Obama signed an Executive Order that established the White House Council on Strong Cities, Strong Communities (SC2). The Council will build on the SC2 pilot initiative. SC2 pilot cities were selected on the basis of economic need, strong local leadership and collaboration, potential for economic growth, geographic diversity, and the ability to test the SC2 model across a range of environments.
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