West Atlanta neighborhoods win federal 'Promise Zone' status

ATLANTA (AP) — Some neighborhoods on Atlanta's west side could see an economic boost now that they have been named as a "promise zone" by the federal government.

U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro made the announcement Monday at a southwest Atlanta school alongside Mayor Kasim Reed.

Neighborhoods including English Avenue, Vine City, West End and Ashview Heights will comprise the promise zone, meaning the neighborhoods will receive a better chance of winning federal funding.

Castro says the Atlanta BeltLine expansion and the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium are reasons for optimism for the city's west side.

Nine other communities throughout the country received the designation Monday, as part of the Promise Zone program's third round, including neighborhoods in Nashville, south Los Angeles and Evansville .