The Empowerment Zone/Enterprise Community (EZ/EC) program was created in 1993 as a key step in rebuilding communities in America's poverty-stricken inner cities and rural heartland. It was designed to empower people and communities across the nation in developing and implementing strategic plans to create job opportunities and sustainable community development. The program combines tax benefits with substantial investment of Federal resources and enhanced coordination among Federal agencies.
By law, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) was authorized to select the urban winners of EZ/EC awards and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) selects the rural winners of similar awards.
There are 152 EZ/EC sites in operation throughout the United States at this time.
Information about:
Qualified Zone Academy Bonds
A Qualified Zone Academy Bond (QZAB) is a federal program designed to stimulate public-private cooperation for schools located in an EZ or EC or for schools that have at least 35 percent of its students eligible for free or reduced-cost school lunches.
Additional Information
Dr. William L. Smith
202-401-0843
This page last modifiedFebruary 14, 2003 (jg).
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