Rep. Johnson introduces bill reauthorizing Commission to boost community & economic development in Southeast

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) has introduced the "Southeast Crescent Regional Commission Reauthorization Act of 2017."

H.R. 3454 will reauthorize the Commission until 2023.

Working with the states and localities, the Commission can assist in leveraging public, private and philanthropic resources to improve the overall economy and infrastructure of the region to encourage private investment and promote growth in distressed areas. The bill would also provide job skills training and entrepreneurial development, ensuring that the jobs of the future can be filled by skilled workers.

"We have seen the success achieved through targeted investments by other regional economic development agencies, it is now time for the Southeast Crescent region have the same opportunity," said Johnson.

The Southeast Crescent Regional Commission encompasses most of the counties of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.

Congressman Johnson said the bill could open up the door to a historic opportunity to help create good jobs and develop a disadvantaged region with targeted investments.

"The need is there and we must act now to put the Southeast Crescent region on the road to recovery. H.R. 3454 addresses an area that is home to millions of rural and impoverished Americans still reeling from decades of job displacement and a lack of investment," said Johnson. "The good people of Georgia and all across the South need the help of this Congress to break out of the unacceptable cycle of poverty and unemployment."

Congressman Johnson looks to aid the Commission in helping develop the community's economic competitiveness and leverage private investment to help improve infrastructure and public transportation, so that workers aren't stuck in endless gridlock and can get to and from work seamlessly.

The bill would also reauthorize economic and infrastructure development programs in the Northern Border Regional Commission and the Southwest Border Regional Commission.

The appointment of a federal co-chair by the president is still needed to launch the start-up phase.

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