Vice President Harris champions economic equity in Atlanta
Writer: Eleana Teran
May 2024 — Vice President Kamala Harris kicked off her nationwide Economic Opportunity Tour in Atlanta, emphasizing the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the cultivation of Black economic development. The first stop, part of a broader initiative to underscore the administration’s nationwide economic strategies, focused particularly on empowering Black and Brown entrepreneurs and expanding wealth among those communities.
During Vice President Harris’s visit to Atlanta, she spotlighted the transformative $158 million investment in The Stitch. This project is designed to bridge the historical divide between midtown and downtown Atlanta—areas divided by urban infrastructure. The Stitch will cover approximately 14 acres with new urban green space and transportation improvements to foster equitable revitalization, improving access to affordable housing, cost-effective transportation, and employment opportunities.
A.J. Robinson, president of Central Atlanta Progress Inc., explained the motivation behind this transformative project. “When the U.S. highway system was developed in the 1950s, a lot of the highways came right through central cores and cut them off from neighborhoods,” he told Focus:. “A big gap was created, and that gap is manifest today. We have been searching for years on how we bridge that gap in a physical way, and almost in a psychological way, so that we can reconnect to communities around us. We finally got the attention of the federal government and we have been nurturing a project called The Stitch. We were awarded $158 million, and we are putting in locally with the city the remaining to get us a $200 million project to build a park on top of the highway.”
This federal funding marks a critical step towards mending the long-standing barriers to foster a more connected and inclusive Atlanta. The project is funded as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Program, which has allocated a total of $3.3 billion across over 40 states.
Vice President Harris’s visit also included meetings with local business owners who are leveraging federal resources to expand their operations. According to the newly released “Building on the Biden-Harris Small Business Boom” report, the current administration has demonstrated a historic increase in federal procurement, with a focus on small disadvantaged businesses, highlighting a significant period of growth for small businesses. The administration has experienced the three strongest years on record for new business applications, driven by policies aimed at increasing access to capital, simplifying federal support mechanisms, and promoting fairness in government contracting.
Melvin Coleman, president of the Atlanta Black Chambers, spoke with Focus: about specific challenges in the community. “Black-owned businesses in the region primarily face challenges in accessing capital and networks,” Coleman noted. He further emphasized the broader societal benefits, stating, “We firmly believe that successful Black business ownership will play a crucial role in bridging the racial wealth gap over the next half-century.”
In addressing the broader scope of economic barriers, including those affecting homeownership and educational funding, Vice President Harris outlined several administration initiatives. These include a proposed $25,000 credit for first-generation homebuyers and policies aimed at reducing living costs, alongside the administration’s actions on student loan forgiveness. According to the administration, these measures are critical for reducing the racial wealth gap and promoting broader economic inclusion.
On a local level, Mayor Andre Dickens shared insights on how the city is addressing these national challenges. “Atlanta’s rapid growth has made it challenging for many to afford new constructions or even rentals,” he told Focus:. “Understanding Atlanta’s influence, we’re committed to promoting safety, affordable housing, and economic opportunities, recognizing the ripple effect these efforts have on the Southeast. Our strength lies in our people and our potential for further growth,” he said, highlighting the city’s proactive approach and the synergy between federal initiatives and local efforts.
Image via @KamalaHarris/ https://twitter.com/KamalaHarris
For more information visit:
https://www.atlantaga.gov/
