Under New Business on tonight's agenda is the creation of an Enterprise Zone which is a specific geographic area targeted for economic revitalizing. There is nothing in the backup of what area the commission might want to target but that will be a mission of this Board. All the Commission knows is what its been told--that Enterprise Zones encourage economic growth and investment in distressed areas by offering tax advantages and incentives to businesses locating within the zone boundaries. Currently there are 59 state Enterprise Zones. Included within that total are:
- 3 Federal Enterprise Communities
- 2 Federal Empowerment Zones
- 30 Rural Enterprise Zones
- 29 Urban Enterprise Zones
GENERAL BILL by Clemens-- Enterprise Zones/City of Lake Worth;
Authorizing the City of Lake Worth to apply to the Department of Economic Opportunity for designation of an enterprise zone; providing an application deadline and requirements for the area of the enterprise zone; requiring the department to establish the effective date of the enterprise zone, etc. Senate Committee References: Commerce and Tourism (CM) , Community Affairs (CA) , Appropriations Subcommittee on Finance and Tax (AFT) , Appropriations (AP) Last Action: 01/17/2013 Referred to Commerce and Tourism; Community Affairs; Appropriations Subcommittee on Finance and Tax; Appropriations Effective Date: January 1, 2014
The city is suggesting a 9 member appointed board for a term of 4 years of staggered terms. It will have a budget from the Commission and a staff consisting of a CEO. It could even have its own legal staff.
It has been determined by HUD that along with the problem of drawing boundary lines within the city there are two other problems we face when cutting taxes for enterprise zones: dilution of the effect by general tax-cutting and the fact that tax policies seem to have little effect on business decisions to relocate.
This sounds like just one more volunteer board that can make big decisions and members can't get removed without a big hassle and absolutely no guarantee of any success when it comes to attracting business development to Lake Worth.
I believe it was presented to the P&Z Board since the new year and ya should see the hoops we gotta jump through!
ReplyDeleteThe Federal Enterprise Zones are UnConstitutional as the Federal Government has only Limited (enumerated) powers. Charity isn't on the list and this is how our "Individual" Freedoms get squashed by the "Collective".
Who asked for this, why do they want it and if it is filled w/problems and doesn't produce the stated results - draw business in - tell me again why on earth we would want to even come near this steamy pile never mind step in it?
Reality has hit the road and this is a bad move.
Perhaps a petition to swear in our elected's so if they lie - we have recourse. I bet that will get them to read the back up if they become responsible for their results!
Another fix might be review or automatic repeal on every new law. We do the math and either the numbers are right or they aren't.
Goal - Measurable Results - continue or close the program down.
They should look forward to
ReplyDeletea time, and that not a distant
one, when corruption in this,
as in the country from which
we derive our origin, will have seized the heads of government,
and be spread by them through
the body of the people; WHEN
THEY WILL PURCHASE THE VOICES
OF THE PEOPLE, AND MAKE THEM
PAY THE PRICE. Human nature
is the same on every side of
the Atlantic, and will be alike influenced by the same causes.
The time to guard against
corruption and tyranny, is
before they shall have gotten
hold on us. It is better to
keep the wolf out of the fold,
than to trust to drawing his
teeth and talons after he shall
have entered. ~ Thomas Jefferson
More commission spending and pie in the sky.
ReplyDeleteWhy are they doing this? Lake Worth doesn't need any enterprise zone. Lake Worth is doing fine without an enterprise zone. Tourists flock here, our hotels are packed, the downtown business owners have all the customers they can handle, new viable businesses are opening every day, the city's never looked better or been better off financially.
ReplyDeleteWhy should anything change?
More BS from anonymous.
ReplyDeleteI drove Boutwell yesterday and saw all the vacant land mowed, and fresh and looking available. Perhaps this is where the enterprise zone will be, and this plan will finance the necessary infrastructure.
ReplyDelete