Nashville was selected by the federal government to become a “Promise Zone” as part of a program by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
While the Music City may be booming, many communities have been left behind.
However, the program aims to change that. Federal money will go to local initiatives aimed at improving the lives of people in some of Nashville's poorest and most crime-stricken communities.
The program has set out to provide ten years of significant federal support including: priority access to federal investments that further communities’ strategic plans; a federal liaison to help local leaders navigate federal resources; and five full-time AmeriCorps VISTA members to strengthen the capacity of Promise Zone initiatives.
Nashville joined 21 other communities nationwide that have been designated as Promise Zones including parts of Philadelphia, Altanta, Southeast Kentucky and several Native American tribal lands.
