Norton to Chair Her First Subcommittee Hearing - 1/22/2007

Norton to Chair Her First Subcommittee Hearing to
Bring Old Economy Economic Development into the 21st Century
January 22, 2007

Washington, DC-The Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), who was elected last week as chair of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, today announced that Norton will chair her first hearing TOMORROW, Tuesday, January 23, 2007, at 10:30 AM in Room 2167 of the Rayburn House Office Building (Independence Avenue and South Capitol Street, SW).

This is the first of a series of hearings that will focus on the state of economic development in the United States today and the direction the country should take to prepare to meet the challenges presented by the new global economy. Expert witnesses will discuss the present and historic role of the federal government in economic development and suggestions for 21st century investment. Norton is particularly interested in leveraging the placement of federal facilities, relatively small amounts of federal funds, or underutilized federal land to transform entire communities with private investments. Her Southeast Federal Center legislation, which is currently developing 57 valuable federal acres on M Street, SE to benefit both the District of Columbia and the federal government, is a likely model.

The subcommittee (part of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure) is central to the District's economy, which depends on a federal job base. Even as ranking member, Norton has been able to bring major revenue and job opportunities through numerous federal projects, including the Southeast Federal Center, the Department of Transportation headquarters, and the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms headquarters, all of which are having a transforming effect on the surrounding communities.

Witnesses are Amy Glasmeier, Professor of Geography & Regional Planning and John Whisman Appalachian Scholar at Pennsylvania State University; Erik Pages, President of EntreWorks Consulting; and Andrew Reamer, Brookings Institution Fellow.