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Posted on 11/24/2007 9:17:46 AM PST by SandRat
FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU — With al-Qaida’s ability to carry out violent attacks withering in the face of sustained Coalition offensive operations and Concerned Local Citizen activism, the Iraqi people are now looking to return to the livelihoods and ways of life they used to know.
Their desires are being met, in part, through the assistance of a U.S.-led initiative that distributes “micro-grants” of up to $10,000 to promising Iraqi businesses that demonstrate growth potential.
On Nov. 14, an embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team (ePRT) attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team (BCT), 3rd Infantry Division took its first steps at trying to transform former al-Qaida havens into bustling areas of commerce when it began distributing micro-grants in Hawr Rajab and Arab Jabour.
“The micro-grants are going to bind the community,” Bruce Bailey, deputy chief, 2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. ePRT, said. “It’s going to be a catalyst for the people.”
Bailey added there are also projects underway in the area to repair water pumps and electricity distribution.
Businesses that once had their doors locked because of threats, intimidation and fear from al-Qaida are now being given the chance to thrive again, military and ePRT officials say.
To be eligible for the grants, business owners had to fill out applications describing their business and plans for the future. After an initial assessment of stores in Hawr Rajab earlier in the week, the ePRT gave out seven grants based on the applications and face-to-face meetings with business owners.
Grants were given to three butchers, a glass and aluminum fabricator, a window maker, a baker and a painter.
It wasn’t a lot of money, Bailey said, about a thousand dollars between the seven men.
Micro-grants are not intended to be a regular hand out, officials say. The recipients need to show records and transactions in order to keep receiving help from the ePRT.
The process was explained to the business owners, who signed receipts upon receiving the money. They were instructed the funds were to be used strictly for business purposes.
“This holds them accountable based on their business plan,” Bailey said. “This is merely seed money.”
One of the goals of the micro-grant program is to create jobs in the community and make community members self-reliant. Bailey described it as the citizens working together as one family. “We can help them help themselves,” he said.
Commercial links are also being established between Hawr Rajab and Arab Jabour.
As an example, Bailey said the ePRT contracted the aluminum fabricator to make three aluminum tables for the butchers in Hawr Rajab. They also bought a table for a butcher in Arab Jabour.
“To make their community a success, they all need to work with each other,” Bailey said.
The ePRT is currently reviewing more applications for more grants in Arab Jabour and Hawr Rajab.
“This is the first step. We’ll start off by giving a little,” John Smith, team lead of the 2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. ePRT told shop owners. “We’ll see how your business goes and we’ll look into the progress,” he said.
FR WAR NEWS! 1st you got to have security, then will come economic progress after which you will get you political progress. Too bad the US Junk media and their Democrat masters are still trying to put the cart in front of the horse.
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