Courtesy Photo | Lt. Col. Brian Eifler, a native of Farmington Hills, Mich., the commanding officer of...... read more read more
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By Spc. Philip Klein
3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division-Baghdad
BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers provided micro-grants to local shop owners in the Sadr City district of Baghdad to rebuild and expand their businesses as coalition forces continue to expand humanitarian operations May 26.
Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, attached to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, handed out the grants from the Civil Military Operations Center at Joint Security Station – Sadr City.
The CMOC, operated by the 432nd Civil Affairs Battalion, MND-B, recently began supporting ground forces commanders in the Thawra 1 and Thawra 2 neighborhoods of Sadr City by processing applications for grants to Iraqi civilians to expand and improve their businesses and market stands at Sadr City markets. The CMOC plans to distribute $100,000 in grants to the residents of Sadr City, in increments of $2,500 to approved applicants, from May 26 through June 1. On the first day, the micro-grant program distributed $32,000 in grants.
Lt. Col. Brian Eifler, a native of Farmington Hills, Mich., and commanding officer of Task Force 1-6, spearheaded the operation to get local businesses back up and providing services to the local community after the recent disruptions due to criminal activities.
"The services provided by these merchants and shop owners are essential to improving the lives of the citizens of Sadr City," said Eifler. "These grants enable the small business owners of Sadr City to improve their lives and the welfare of their communities."
Abu Ibrahim, a local merchant who sells fruit in the Jamila Market of Sadr City, said he welcomed the assistance and was thankful for the opportunity to improve his business and for the employees who work for him.
"This is a chance for me to expand and improve my business, which will be good for my family and our people here in Baghdad," Ibrahim said. "I have also made friends that I can rely on to keep trouble away," he said, in speaking of Eifler and TF 1-6.
Eifler recounted tales of criminal elements, who force local shopkeepers to pay money to run their business without providing any services.
"These criminals threaten local businessmen and force them to pay out 'protection money,' and yet they then fail to provide anything to these merchants who they say they want to help," said Eifler. "Our coalition forces, including our Iraqi partners, want nothing but to get these people up on their feet and for them to succeed and as a result improve their neighborhoods."
| Date Taken: | 05.28.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 05.28.2008 05:47 |
| Story ID: | 19865 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 334 |
| Downloads: | 301 |
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