Watching his district get trapped into a cycle of poverty while other areas are experiencing economic resiliency, Miami-Dade County Commission Kionne McGhee is taking charge to lead the underserved area to prosperity.
Photo credit: Office of Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kionne McGheeMcGhee has teamed up with the West Perrine Community Redevelopment Act (WPCRA), to launch an economic development plan designed to expand businesses and bring new jobs to the area, and foster small business opportunities in one of the county's poorest districts.
The project hopes to pump millions of dollars into South Dade's local economy while changing the landscape of West Perrine and adjacent areas that have experienced decrepit infrastructure, descending property values and residents losing hope for a brighter future.
District 9, which also includes Richmond Heights, Homestead and Florida City, have faced a series of social challenges over the years, leading to economic distress, according to McGhee.
But the WPCRA project is aimed at reversing the economic conditions for the impoverished community.
"This partnership is a testament to our commitment to revitalizing West Perrine," said McGhee, who grew up in public housing in South Miami-Dade and went on to become an attorney and state Rep. "By investing in our community, we are laying the groundwork for a prosperous and vibrant future."
WPCRA Chairman Leviticus Gillard said the plan is foolproof.
"We are excited to partner with Commissioner McGhee to bring this transformative plan to West Perrine," said Gilliard. "This initiative is not just about economic growth, but also about empowering our community and fostering an environment where businesses and families can thrive."
McGhee outlined the economic development plan which targets businesses, homeownership, employment and beautification.
For residential rehabilitation programs, homeowners can qualify to beautify their properties with a grant of $10,000 and 25,000 with no match, and $15,000 and $35,000 for tenant-occupied properties with a 75/25 match.
Adding businesses is the cornerstone of the plan, offering up to $150,000 for costs to move companies to the area, and the West Perrine Special Projects grant awards up to $50,000 for community groups to make aesthetic improvements to publicly owned land including landscaping, community identification signs and public art.
McGhee said according to a recent analysis by Miami Economic Associates, Inc, most District 9 residents are living below or at the poverty threshold, as the median household income is $54,486, which is 81 percent of the countywide figure of $67,263.
Moreover, the district's unemployment rate stands at 5.6 percent, significantly higher than the countywide rate of 3.3 percent.
"Our community deserves better," McGhee said. "We are working tirelessly to create opportunities that will not only boost incomes but also restore hope and prosperity in District 9."
Since he was first elected to the County Commission in 2020, McGhee has created several initiatives to bring economic stability to his district including farming and promoting tourism to harness the rich agricultural heritage of Miami-Dade; creating over 8,000 jobs through the South Dade Logistics Center and the Homestead Entertainment District aimed at generating a billion-dollar economic impact.
McGhee also secured a partnership with Costco worth $217 million and over 300 jobs and a quarter million dollars for the community.
"We are not just creating jobs, we are building futures," said McGhee. "Our goal is to ensure that every resident of District 9 has the opportunity to succeed and thrive."
For more information on the programs and how to apply, please visit the WPCRA website at www.westperrinecra.com or call Commissioner's McGhee office at 305-234-4938.
