It all started in 1998 when—building on the efforts of a successful Enterprise Community designation in 1994—a grass-roots coalition of residents, businesses and institutions including the City of New Haven came together to apply for the Empowerment Zone designation. The coveted award was finally earned in January, 1999, when New Haven was named as one of only 15 urban centers nationwide to win the Round II Empowerment Zone designation.

Today our mission and resolve remain constant. Empower New Haven exists to apply all of our human and financial resources towards the goal of bringing sustainable, measurable improvements in the economic status and quality of life of individuals, families, and businesses within the Empowerment Zone communities and Greater New Haven region.