Thank you for reading another edition of my e-newsletter, the Carson Courier.  For additional information on these and other topics, please visit my website at http://www.carson.house.gov.

In this week’s Carson Courier:

• ·The NFL Emerging Business Program
• ·Protecting Struggling Homeowners and Revitalizing Neighborhoods
• ·2011 Congressional Art Competition
• ·Tax Assistance is Available 

The NFL Emerging Business Program

The National Football League’s Emerging Business Program is aimed at building direct links between the NFL and minority and women-owned businesses in the lead-up to Super Bowl XLVI, which is being held in Indianapolis. For those interested, please note that online registration closes on March 31^st.

To learn more about the program, or to apply please click here.

Protecting Struggling Homeowners and Revitalizing Neighborhoods

Republicans are attempting to cut two vital programs essential for rehabilitating communities in the 7^th District that have been devastated by foreclosure and abandonment.  Democrats in Congress and the Obama Administration initiated the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) in early 2009 to keep people in their homes by providing loan modifications to homeowners that have defaulted or are at serious risk of defaulting on their mortgage.

Similarly, the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) has helped to stabilize vulnerable communities suffering from widespread foreclosures by redeveloping foreclosed and abandoned homes and apartments. Grants provided under NSP offer critical assistance to state and local governments and not-for-profit developers to acquire foreclosed and abandoned property, demolish and rehabilitate blighted properties, and establish financing mechanisms such as down-payment and closing cost assistance to low- to middle-income homebuyers.

HAMP and NSP have made beneficial investments in our neighborhoods are great examples of what Congress can do to keep people in their homes and reduce crime.  Rest assured, I am fighting Republican efforts to dismantle these programs.

For more information, please click here.

2011 Congressional Art Competition

My office is accepting submissions for the annual Congressional Art Competition. High school students from the 7^th District of Indiana are encouraged to submit original artwork.  The winning submission will be displayed in our nation’s Capitol, and the student will receive a complementary trip to Washington, D.C. to attend a reception honoring those selected from across the country.

Please submit artwork to the Indianapolis 7^th District Congressional Office, 300 East Fall Creek Parkway North Drive, Suite 300, by 5:30pm on Friday, April 29, 2011.  

If you have further questions, please contact Andrea Scott at 317-283-6516 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Tax Assistance is Available

The due date for filing your federal income taxes is April 18, 2011. For those with questions or those who need tax preparation assistance, please click here.

Thank you for reading the Carson Courier.  Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts and concerns. For more information, please visit my website at http://www.carson.house.gov, my Congressional Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/CongressmanAndreCarson and follow me on Twitter @RepAndreCarson. I value your views and your input which help me to better represent the people of Indiana’s 7^th District in Congress.