In accordance with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2000 regulation revision, the Empowerment Zone Grant funds may be used “only in conjunction with economic development activities consistent with the Zone’s strategic plan.”

Programs that can increase business opportunities by way of assisting businesses to establish or expand within the Zone.

• Create a business-friendly environment, through use of incentives, technical assistance, access to capital, and training;
• Match needs of business to grow and prosper with needs of community residents to sustain their families and neighborhoods; and
• Implement comprehensive, integrated systems to promote the location, expansion, and retention of businesses and industries in the Zone.

Programs that can increase job opportunities include those which assist the EZ resident.

• Provide high-quality, efficient training, driven by the needs of employers to obtain educated employees with specific skills;
• Eliminate economic and other practical barriers to the maximum use of training opportunities by workforce members;
• Give priority in training of welfare-to-work recipients and NAFTA displaced workers; and
• Lay groundwork for an individual’s lifelong learning and constant upgrading of skills.

- Empowerment Zone Strategic Plan

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