A bill backed by Georgia Democratic Congresswoman Carolyn Bourdeaux to revitalize dead malls and shopping centers across the country is moving to the House floor, which Bordeaux said is a big step forward.
Bourdeaux spoke Tuesday afternoon on WDUN's Newsroom. Click the SoundCloud player above to listen to the full interview with WDUN's Mitch Clarke.
The Greater Revitalization of Shopping Centers Act would create a grant subsidy program that would encourage investment in mall redevelopment. The Transportation Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill includes $60 million for the program.
"We've had a lot of support, both from organizations around the country, as well as people from within the committees," Bourdeaux said. "So we're feeling pretty hopeful this is going to make it all the way through the process."
As one example, Bourdeaux referenced Gwinnett Place Mall as a hole in an area surrounded by vibrant businesses.
"We just need to really fill in that hole," Bourdeaux said. "You don't want the weight of that abandoned property to drag down everyone else."
Bourdeaux said the bill builds on the section 108 guaranteed loan program.
"It allows communities like Gwinnett County to use their Community Development Block Grant funds to help guarantee loans for developers," Bourdeaux said. "Then this program provides a grant of up to $5 million to top that off. So the $5 million basically could be turned into $32 million in Gwinnett County for instance."
Bordeaux also spoke about the January 6 Committee, as well as the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe V. Wade.
