President Clinton has named Ogden as one of 95 national "Enterprise Communities" - a title that brings with it millions in federal aid.
On Wednesday, Clinton pledged up to $3.5 billion in grants and tax breaks to distressed cities and rural areas nationwide to help them revive their economies and create jobs with local energy and ideas.Ogden, which has unusually high rates of unemployment, welfare, single parents and dropouts, was the only city in Utah to be named an Enterprise Community
According to an April study by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the city's poverty rate ranges from 23 percent to 44 percent. The report also found that Ogden has three of Utah's four most distressed neighborhoods.
The designation means the city will receive a total of $3 million in special federal grants spread over 10 years - in addition to the $2.1 million per year it already receives in federal housing and community development grants. The city plans to spend the money in annual installments ranging from 1/2150,000 to 1/2450,000
And just as importantly, the Enterprise Community designation will give the city - and private organizations within the city - preference in applying for additional federal grants.
Ogden plans to use the money to bolster a number of social service, job-training, community cleanup and crime-fighting programs.
Mayor Glenn Mecham said the Enterprise Community designation is significant for many reasons, including the recognition of the city's strong network of partnerships between the government, business and community.
Mecham said he wasn't ashamed to apply for the special federal money - which required publicly acknowledging that part of the city is in distress due to poverty.
He said 520 other communities made the same acknowledgment in applying for the funds.
"Ogden is what it is. We're proud of our city. There are strong aspects and not so strong aspects. We're drawing on every resource we can to strengthen the total community," Mecham said.