(Milwaukee, WI)— Tomorrow Congresswoman Gwen Moore will be participating in the launch of Milwaukee’s Urban Entrepreneurship Center, for which she secured $150,000 in the U.S. House of Representatives’ FY2007 Urban Development Appropriations bill.  Earlier this year, the city of Milwaukee was selected to become a member of the Urban Entrepreneur Partnership (UEP), a national initiative designed to promote inner-city entrepreneurship and job growth.

The Milwaukee UEP will encourage partnerships and joint ventures between Wisconsin corporations and minority business owners, as well as streamline and enhance existing financial and technical assistance programs to promote the creation and growth of small businesses in Milwaukee.  The initiative is led by the White House National Economic Council and the National Urban League, as well as other organizations. 

The Center will be located at the National Urban League's Milwaukee office in the Bronzeville district.  In 2005, Congresswoman Moore secured $200,000 for the creation of the Bronzeville Cultural Center in the building that was previously home to the Garfield School.  The creation of the Bronzeville Cultural Center is part of the City of Milwaukee's greater initiative to develop blighted properties in the formerly run-down neighborhood and turn Bronzeville into an entertainment and cultural district which will offer the best in African-American music, art, and cuisine.

Also participating in the launch will be Mayor Tom Barrett; Steve Preston of the Small Business Administration; Daniel Heath, Associate Director of the National Economic Council; Daryl Williams, National Director of the Urban Entrepreneur Partnership; Don Graves, Chairman, Metropolitan Business Collaborative; Ralph Hollmon, President of the Milwaukee Urban League; and Tina Kelly-Beckett, newly-appointed Executive Director of the Milwaukee UEP.

The House Treasury, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill, which includes the funding for Milwaukee’s Urban Entrepreneurship Center, passed the House in June.  House and Senate negotiators have yet to meet to craft a compromise bill which reconciles the House and Senate versions of this bill.  A compromise version will likely be included in a large, omnibus spending bill sometime after Congress returns to session on November 13.

WHAT:           Launch of the Milwaukee Urban Entrepreneurship Center

WHEN:           Tuesday, October 3 at 11:15am

WHERE:         Ponderosa Steak House, 2740 North Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive

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For an interview with Congresswoman Gwen Moore, please contact Ashley Glacel at 202-225-4572.

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