Zones Information

Zones are geographically bounded areas that have been designated as such for an administrative purpose.  Zone designations can overlap.  What seems to be true always is that a zone designation means a loss of control by elected officials with power transferred to unelected, virtually hidden "committee". 

Zones are defined as a specified type under a section of law, but the names given to the zones vary even across agencies of the government which makes them difficult to research.  This is true of state legislation for zones also. 

The following are the types of zones that have been found. 

Empowerment Zones (EZ)
Enterprise Communities (EC)
Targeted Employment Areas (TEA)
Hubzones – surrounding former military bases
Intermodal Commerce Zones – located at transportation hubs
Foreign Trade Zones – generally located near transportation hubs
Exclusive Economic Zones – Coastal & Maritime

Gasconade County

Meramec Region - Boards and Committees

Meramec Region - Gasconade County Industrial Development Authority - Members

Gasconade Valley Enterprise Zone

On Aug. 5, 1993, portions of Gasconade, Maries and Osage counties including the cities of Owensville, Bland, Vienna, Belle and the Rolla National Airport, were officially designated as a state enterprise zone. Until Jan. 1, 2005, this designation entitled qualifying companies to certain tax credits and property tax abatements when locating or expanding within the zone. Elected officials in the three counties joined forces to secure this designation to spur economic development activities, most specifically to ensure a $12 million expansion at the Kingsford Co. in Maries County.

Corresponding - Idaho, see 1997 and following

The Gasconade Valley Enterprise Zone Inc.

GVEZ - Board Meeting Minutes, March 23, 2007

Ms. Prigge presented a resolution in support of Senate Bill 389, which includes the Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative. GVEZ promotes economic development efforts in Maries, Osage and Gasconade counties. GVEZ realizes the importance of a skilled workforce when recruiting new industry. Linn State Technical College has state approval for a Vehicle and Power Center to serve the training needs of Missouri companies, although state appropriations have not been forthcoming. The Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative would provide $15 million of funding for the power center. The investment of dollars is critical to the State of Missouri and its ability to provide a trained workforce to new and existing companies. Gary Reynolds made a motion to approve. Byron Baker seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
 

Enhanced Enterprise Zone

The Gasconade Valley Enterprise Zone (GVEZ) covered the cost of the application process, which took many months to achieve. GVEZ had encouraged the formation of county-level zones once it was known that a multi-county zone was not possible with existing economic data and the original enterprise zone was nearing expiration. The former enterprise zone program, which the GVEZ was formed under, no longer is able to offer tax credits because of changes in the state law.

The Enhanced Enterprise Zone program was implemented in 2004. Enhanced enterprise zones are specified geographic areas designated by local governments and certified by the Department of Economic Development. Zone designation is based on certain demographic criteria, the potential to create sustainable jobs in a targeted industry and a demonstrated impact on local cluster development.

MRPC News Release Sept. 17, 2010 - Enhanced Enterprise Zone Approved for Gasconade County

The Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) has announced approval of Enhanced Enterprise Zone (EEZ) designation for Gasconade County. This designation, signed Aug. 25, 2010, will allow county officials to continue to move forward with economic development efforts. Gasconade County becomes the 87 th zone in the state. Click to see map.

The Gasconade County Enhanced Enterprise Zone board prepared the application in partnership with Meramec Regional Planning Commission. The application included a redevelopment plan.

Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) - Press Release on EEZ Designation

Enhanced enterprise zones are specified geographic areas designated by local governments and certified by the Department of Economic Development. Zone designation is based on certain demographic criteria, the potential to create sustainable jobs in a targeted industry and a demonstrated impact on local cluster development.

Related DED Press Release 10/21/2010 DWD annual report touts improvements, achievements in career services

“Through our initiatives to stimulate business growth, innovation and new technology, to our ground-breaking skill-development initiatives like Training For Tomorrow, Show-Me Heroes, Caring For Missourians and WorkReadyMissouri, to our nationally-recognized summer youth employment programs,” said Governor Nixon, “we are committed to making sure Missouri‘s workforce is trained, skilled and ready to fill the high-tech, high-paying positions that 21^st century employers demand.”

Mandated by the U.S. Department of Labor, the report uses the occasion to highlight remarkable innovations in Missouri’s career assistance services...In a separate companion report, DED reported equally strong outcomes for services to Missouri businesses. The Missouri Jobs Development Fund/Customized Training Program

Missouri Division of Workforce Development
 

Missouri - Economic Regional "Partners"

Meramac Region website

"Eligible Enhanced Business Enterprises"   NAICS Codes 
Enhanced Enterprise Zone - Eligibility    PDF  Brochure

Missouri Strategic Initiative for Economic Growth     WOW!    Mother Lode of info - right hand column

Senator Kit Bond:  "Senators Seek to Expand Hubzone Program to Counties Hit Hardest by Prolonged Recession

Clark, Franklin, Gasconade, Lincoln, Miller, Monroe, Morgan, Stone and Taney Counties, St. Louis City to Benefit in Missouri

2003 - Franklin County - Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy

The following information was obtained through the research efforts of Amanda Teegarden and OK-SAFE

1982 - State Urban Enterprise Zones:  A Policy Overview

1989 - HUD, Enterprise Zones in America, A Selected Resource Guide, Volume II

1993 - Federal Action Monitor, Enterprise Zones, Oklahoma State Senate

1994 - NCLS Legislative Brief, Federal Empowerment Zones

1998 - NSLS Legislative Brief, Enterprise Zones

2005 - NCLS Legislative Brief, Enterprise Zones:  Development for Distressed Communities

Title 68 of the Oklahoma Statutes dealing with the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program Act, Revenue and Taxation

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1991 - Heritage Foundation, Background Report, "New Life for Federal Enterprise Zone Legislation"

National Association of Development Organizations

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Ignore this... this is advanced info that ties together the regions with education/workforce development and the Trojan Triangles. 

Clinton e-Commerce Initiative

1997 Clinton Press Release - report - "A Framework for Global Electronic Commerce"

Framework for Global Electronic Commerce    **  Important - read the 'Read the Framework'   & Executive Summary

Regional Economic Development is under the U.S. Department of Commerce

http://www.eda.gov/AboutEDA/RIC/  

The first link is a Powerpoint – must have.  Thought Leaders – you’ll see Michael Porter … the guy I identified as being the cluster man in Trojan Triangles.

Mission

http://www.eda.gov/AboutEDA/Mission.xml

Regional Innovation - National Prosperity

"Clusters of Innovation Initiative:  Regional Foundations of U.S. Competitiveness, Michael Porter

National Governors Association - Cluster-Based Strategies for Growing State Economics

NYIT Educational Enterprise Zone - GKE Alliance

Innovation Framework

Clear Partners - Articles     Who is Clear Innovation Partners?