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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release June 28, 2000

VICE PRESIDENT GORE ANNOUNCES THE SELECTION OF FOUR COMMUNITIES FOR THE

SOUTHWEST BORDER TASK FORCE PILOT PROGRAM

Columbus, Ohio--Vice President Gore announced today the selection of four communities to participate in the Southwest Border (SWB) Task Force pilot program. The communities are located in Nogales, Arizona; Imperial County, California; Deming, New Mexico; and six counties that make up the FUTURO Enterprise Community in Texas. These communities will coordinate local economic and community development efforts with designated federal agency teams in all four states bordering Mexico.

"This is an exciting time for urban and rural communities-- a time of new prosperity, and new hope for the future," Vice President Gore said. "Today we will take new steps to put the Southwest border, one of our most underserved areas, on the road to recovery. This pilot program will attract the investment and new jobs needed to ensure these communities are not left behind."

The SWB Taskforce will be assisting these communities by focusing federal agency assistance based on each community's strategic plan. Each community faces unique challenges that the SWB Taskforce is committed to addressing.

Nogales is Arizona's largest Mexican port of entry, accounting for two-thirds of all commercial traffic entering Arizona from Mexico. Issues of border trade are very important to this topographically complex area of rocky hills and narrow valleys.
Imperial County is located in the southeast corner of California, and covers an area of 4,284 square miles. This vibrant community has been working to address challenges including an unemployment rate that is five times higher than the state average.
Historically, the economy of Deming, New Mexico has been dominated by agriculture and mining. The community is committed to promoting equitable and quality employment, housing, and education.
The Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas and Val Verde County, home to Laughlin Air Force Base, has joined with the five counties that comprise the Middle Rio Grande FUTURO Enterprise Community for this SWB pilot program.

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