Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Few Businesses Take Advantage of Enterprise Zone Benefits; the Legislature Could Consider Several Options to Modify the Program

Report 11-01, January 2011

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Report Summary

Over the past five years, Florida's Enterprise Zone Program awarded $187 million in incentives, most of which went to businesses in Miami-Dade County. Program participation remains relatively low in most enterprise zones, limiting progress toward achieving the legislative goals of revitalizing distressed areas and increasing employment of area residents. The Legislature could consider several options for modifying the program, including

  • encouraging greater participation by lowering incentive eligibility thresholds;
  • focusing on job creation by eliminating all incentives except jobs tax credits;
  • establishing a one-year program moratorium on awarding incentives to save an estimated $18 million in Fiscal Year 2011-12;
  • abolishing the program to save an estimated $18 million annually; or
  • allowing the program to sunset on December 31, 2015.

Related Reports
  1. Florida Economic Development Program Evaluations - Year 1
    Report 14-01 January 2014
  2. OTTED Has Taken Steps to Enhance the Florida Resource Directory
    Report 06-70 November 2006
  3. Locals Find State Urban Revitalization Programs Useful; More Centralized Program Information Would Be Helpful
    Report 05-32 May 2005
  4. Florida's Enterprise Zone Program Is Similar to Those of Other States
    Report 04-24 March 2004
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
enterprise zone, tax credits, businesses, jobs, Miami-Dade