HUD Secretary Scott Turner, Rep. Kelly Tour Erie's Opportunity Zones
Watch the press conference here.
View b-roll from the Secretary’s trip here.
ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA – On Wednesday, May 28, U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Scott Turner, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA), and local leaders toured downtown Erie's highly successful Opportunity Zones (OZs) and other housing initiatives around Erie, Pennsylvania.
During their visit to Erie, Sec. Turner and Rep. Kelly were joined by Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) and received an update on downtown Erie's Opportunity Zone projects. They also met with local stakeholders as Congress considers extending and expanding OZ legislation.
“Erie is a model of how Opportunity Zones can revitalize communities,” said Sec. Turner. “Erie’s Opportunity Zone-driven renaissance continues to attract new businesses, inspiring the creation of more homes and generating economic and community development. This would not be possible without the support of local, state and federal leaders who work in tandem with the public and private sectors to take Opportunity Zones from a proposal to a reality that will benefit generations of individuals and families. I want to thank Congressman Kelly for welcoming back to the City of Erie – I’m excited to see what the future holds for this community.”
“As Congress considers extending and expanding Opportunity Zone legislation, and as we work to make housing more affordable for all Americans, Secretary Turner's visit puts Western Pennsylvania front and center in Washington,” said Rep. Kelly. “Opportunity Zones continue to create jobs and affordable housing in Erie, and they continue to pump hundreds of millions of dollars into the local economy. I want to thank Secretary Turner for visiting Erie again and for his commitment to pro-growth policy.”
In the News:
“Secretary Turner shared his vision for the program’s future, stating, ‘I believe that we can far surpass that and make Opportunity Zones better, particularly not just here in Erie but also in places and cities around our country- both urban, tribal, and rural. And at Hud, that’s who we serve.’”
“U.S. HUD Secretary views Opportunity Zones, partnering with Rep. Kelly for legislation”
“U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner highlighted Erie’s community spirit as a key factor in its success, stating, ‘Whenever you talk to the people of Erie, there’s always a spirit of team.’”
Background:
Sec. Turner and Rep. Kelly played an integral role in establishing and implementing Opportunity Zones when they were passed in the 2017 Tax Cuts & Jobs Act. Downtown Erie remains a national leader in Opportunity Zones legislation.
In April, Sec. Turner, Rep. Kelly, and Sen. Tim Scott published this op-ed on FoxNews.com highlighting the importance of extending Opportunity Zones legislation.