a

GAO

United States Government Accountability Office

Report to Congressional Committees

September 2006 EMPOWERMENT 

ZONE AND 

ENTERPRISE 

COMMUNITY 

PROGRAM

Survey of Round I 

Federal Enterprise 

Communities

GAO-06-734SP
Page 1 GAO-06-734SP 

United States Government Accountability Office

Washington, D.C. 20548

A

Survey of Round I Federal Enterprise Communities

This document presents the results of GAO’s survey of federal Enterprise 

Communities (EC) that were designated in the first round of the 

Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community program in 1994.1

 Round I 

ECs received $2.95 million in program grants and businesses in the ECs 

could use a program tax-exempt bond. The purpose of our survey was to 

collect data describing how Round I ECs implemented the program. 

Questionnaire items covered the types of governance structures ECs 

established, number of programs they implemented, usage of the program 

tax-exempt bond, and perceptions of factors influencing changes observed 

in poverty, unemployment, and economic growth in the ECs. We 

administered an e-mail survey to officials from the 60 Round I ECs—33 

urban and 27 rural—that were still in operation as of June 2005 and did not 

receive additional designations under the Empowerment Zone or Renewal 

Community programs.2

 We chose to exclude ECs that received subsequent 

designations, because we did not want their responses to be influenced by 

the benefits received under the additional designations. We created two 

versions of the questionnaire, one for urban ECs and another for rural ECs, 

to tailor items to urban or rural sites. For example, the urban version 

contained questions about the Enhanced EC designation, which was not 

asked of rural sites since the Enhanced EC designation was not applicable 

for rural areas.3

We e-mailed the questionnaire to each EC on August 25, 2005; collection of 

survey data ended on December 20, 2005. We gave participants the option 

to respond via e-mail, fax, or post-mail. Fifty-eight ECs returned the survey 

for a response rate of 97 percent; the response rate for rural ECs was 100 

percent and the response rate of urban ECs was 94 percent. We did not 

attempt to verify the respondents’ answers against an independent source 

1

One urban EC was no longer in operation as of June 2005. There were two additional 

rounds of designation under the Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community program in 

1998 and 2002. Communities designated in subsequent rounds of the program received a 

smaller amount of federal funding and more tax benefits. 

2

The Renewal Community program, initiated in 2000, had objectives similar to the 

Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community program. Communities received Renewal 

Community designations in 2002, which offered them an expanded package of tax benefits.

3

Four urban ECs also received Enhanced EC designations, which provided them with some 

Economic Development Initiative grants and Section 108 Loan Guarantees, which could be 

used for certain economic development or revitalization projects. One of the Enhanced ECs 

received a subsequent designation and was not included in our sample.
Page 2 GAO-06-734SP 

of information; however, we used two techniques to verify the reliability of 

questionnaire items. First, we used in-depth interviewing techniques to 

evaluate the answers of pretest participants, and interviewers judged that 

all the respondents’ answers to the questions were based on reliable 

information. Second, for the items that asked about changes to poverty, 

unemployment, and economic growth in the EC, we asked respondents to 

provide a source of data for their response. Responses to these questions 

that did not include a data source were excluded from our analysis of those 

items. A more detailed discussion of our scope and methodology and a 

discussion of the survey results are contained in our report, Empowerment 

Zone and Enterprise Community Program: Improvements Occurred in 

Communities, but the Effect of the Program Is Unclear. Clicking on the 

following link will provide access to this report (GAO-06-727). We 

conducted our survey work from March 2005 through April 2006 in 

accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards. 
U.S. Government Accountability Office

Survey of Federal Enterprise Communities and 

Enhanced Enterprise Communities 

Introduction 

In response to a Congressional mandate, the 

Government Accountability Office (GAO) is

conducting a study of the Round I Empowerment 

Zone and Enterprise Community program. As part

of this study, GAO is surveying all Round I

Enterprise Communities that did not subsequently

receive a Round II or Round III Empowerment

Zone or Renewal Community Designation. 

The purpose of this survey is to obtain descriptive 

information about how designees implemented their 

programs and changes they observed in their 

Enterprise Communities. Results of the survey will 

be used in our report to the Congress and will help 

them understand how the program was 

implemented and what effect it had on the 

designated communities.

How to Complete the Survey 

Completing the survey should take no longer than 

45 minutes. You may want to talk with others in 

your Enterprise Community/Enhanced Enterprise

Community who are familiar with these topics in

order to provide us with the most accurate

information possible about your site. You may

complete the survey in Microsoft Word and e-mail 

it to us, or you may print it out and fax or mail it to 

us. Please return your survey within 2 weeks of

receipt. 

To complete the survey electronically: 

1. Save this document to your computer’s hard

drive in Microsoft Word. 

2. Using the Microsoft Word document, fill out the 

survey. Save the document before closing it. 

3. Return the completed survey as an attachment to

ECSurvey@gao.gov. 

To complete a paper copy of the survey, save the 

survey to your hard drive, print it out, and complete

it. You may fax the survey to (404) 679-2021 or 

mail it to: 

[GAO staff name here]

U.S. Government Accountability Office 

2635 Century Parkway, Suite 700 

Atlanta, GA 30345 

If you would like a stamped business reply

envelope, or if you have any questions, please 

contact [GAO staff name here] (staff phone number 

and e-mail address here) or [GAO staff name here]

(staff phone number and e-mail address here). 

How to Use the Electronic Survey 

1. For each question, click on the gray-shaded 

answer box (___) or check box (). 

2. To change a check box () response, click on the 

box. The response will disappear. 

3. Do not “unlock” this document, as doing so will

erase your answers. 

4. Save your document often so that you do not lose

any answers.

Thank you for taking the time to fill out this

important survey. Your responses will make a 

difference. 

Page 3 
GOVERNANCE AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT 

1. Which of the following best describes the entity that managed your Enterprise Community (EC)

program? (n=58)

 A nonprofit organization that existed prior to the EC designation 13.8% (8)

 A nonprofit specifically created for the EC 27.6% (16)

 A part of the city, county, or other local government 55.2% (32)

 Other, please describe (Click on the gray answer box and type. The answer box will expand):

3.4% (2)

 

2. Before your community received the EC designation, did EC residents do any of the following? 

a. Attend listening sessions about the EC program (n=58)...............96.6% (56) Yes ..3.4% (2) No 

b. Generate ideas for EC activities (n=57) ........................................98.2% (56) Yes ..1.8% (1) No 

c. Establish EC priorities (n=57).......................................................98.2% (56) Yes...1.8% (1) No 

d. Write the strategic plan (n=57)......................................................77.2% (44) Yes...22.8% (13) No 

e. Gather information on community needs from residents (n=58) ..91.4% (53) Yes...8.6% (5) No 

f. Disseminate EC program information to residents (n=56)............91.1% (51) Yes...8.9% (5) No 

g. Other, please describe: (n=57)......................................................1.8% (1) Yes.......98.2% (56) No 

 

Page 4 
3. Which of the following participated in the strategic planning process for your EC? 

a. City government (n=54) ............................... 96.3% (52) Yes....0 No │ 3.7% (2) NA

b. County government (n=52) .......................... 80.8% (42) Yes....11.5% (6) No │ 7.7% (4) NA

c. State government (n=52) .............................. 69.2% (36) Yes....26.9% (14) No │ 3.8% (2) NA

d. Regional government (n=46)........................ 41.3% (19) Yes....30.4% (14) No │ 28.3% (13) NA

e. Elected officials (n=54)................................ 100% (54) Yes.....0 No │ 0 NA

f. Local colleges or universities (n=51)............ 84.3% (43) Yes....13.7% (7) No │ 2.0% (1) NA

g. Local development corporations (n=52) ...... 80.8% (42) Yes....9.6% (5) No │ 9.6% (5) NA

h. Residents of the EC (n=58) .......................... 100% (58) Yes.....0 No │ 0 NA

i. Private businesses (n=53).............................. 88.7% (47) Yes....9.4% (5) No │ 1.9% (1) NA

j. Community-based organizations (n=57)....... 100% (57) Yes.....0 No │ 0 NA

k. Religious organizations (n=50) .................... 86.0% (43) Yes....14.0% (7) No │ 0 NA

l. Neighborhood associations (n=53)................ 81.1% (43) Yes....7.5% (4) No │ 11.3% (6) NA

m. Parent-teacher organizations (n=41)*................... Yes........ No │ NA 

n. Other, please describe: (n=56)..................... 5.4% (3) Yes........87.5% (49) No │ 7.1% (4) NA

 

4. After your community received the EC designation, did EC residents do any of the following? 

a. Attend listening sessions about the EC program (n=54).................92.6% (50) Yes.... 7.4% (4) No

b. Generate ideas for EC activities (n=58)..........................................96.6% (56) Yes.... 3.4% (2) No

c. Establish EC priorities (n=58) ........................................................89.7% (52) Yes.... 10.3% (6) No

d. Participate on the EC governing board (n=58)...............................98.3% (57) Yes.... 1.7% (1) No

e. Gather information on community needs from residents (n=55)....89.1% (49) Yes.... 10.9% (6) No

f. Disseminate EC program information to residents (n=56)..............96.4% (54) Yes.... 3.6% (2) No

g. Implement EC activities (n=56)......................................................92.9% (52) Yes.... 7.1% (4) No

h. Other, please describe:(n=57) ........................................................1.8% (1) Yes ....... 98.2% (56) No

 

Page 5 
5. After your community received the EC designation, which of the following participated in 

implementing the strategic plan? 

a. City government (n=54) ............................... 96.3% (52) Yes....1.9% (1) No │ 1.9% (1) NA

b. County government (n=51) .......................... 74.5% (38) Yes....13.7% (7) No │ 11.8% (6) NA

c. State government (n=53) .............................. 66.0% (35) Yes....30.2% (16) No │ 3.8% (2) NA

d. Regional government (n=45)........................ 40.0% (18) Yes....31.1% (14) No │ 28.9% (13) NA

e. Elected officials (n=55)................................ 98.2% (54) Yes....1.8% (1) No │ 0 NA

f. Local colleges or universities (n=53)............ 84.9% (45) Yes....15.1% (8) No │ 0 NA

g. Local development corporations (n=50) ...... 84.0% (42) Yes....6.0% (3) No │ 10.0% (5) NA

h. Residents of the EC (n=56) .......................... 98.2% (55) Yes....1.8% (1) No │ 0 NA

i. Private businesses (n=51).............................. 88.2% (45) Yes....9.8% (5) No │ 2.0% (1) NA

j. Community-based organizations (n=56)....... 98.2% (55) Yes....0 No │ 1.8% (1) NA

k. Religious organizations (n=47) .................... 72.3% (34) Yes....25.5% (12) No │ 2.1% (1) NA

l. Neighborhood associations (n=50)................ 72.0% (36) Yes....18.0% (9) No │ 10.0% (5) NA

m. Parent-teacher organizations (n=41)*................... Yes........ No │ NA 

n. Other, please describe: (n=56)..................... 3.6% (2) Yes........92.9% (52) No │ 3.6% (2) NA

 

IMPLEMENTATION AND SUSTAINABILITY

6. Since designation in 1994, how many activities did your EC implement? (Activities are actions taken 

to implement your strategic plan.) 

 activities Mean = 48.94 St. Dev. = 44.04 (n=51) 

7. Of the activities your EC implemented, how many were still operating as of December 2004? 

 activities Mean =18.19 St. Dev. = 23.08 (n=52)

 No EC implemented activities are still in operation. Æ SKIP to Question 10

8. In your opinion, how many of the activities in Question 7 will be operating 2 years from now? 

 activities Mean = 17.85 St. Dev. = 22.48 (n=47) 

 No activities will be in operation. Æ SKIP to Question 10

Page 6 
9. Please provide two examples of activities that will be in operation 2 years from now. 

 

10. In your opinion, how helpful were the following EC program components to accomplishing your 

strategic plan goals? 

Not at all 

helpful 

A little 

helpful 

Somewhat 

helpful 

Very

helpful 

Extremely

helpful 

Don’t 

know 

a. EC grant funds 

(n=56) 

1.8% 

(1) 

1.8% 

(1) 

8.9% 

(5) 

17.9% 

(10) 

69.6% 

(39) 0 

b. Bonus points in 

other federal 

programs 

(n=56) 

5.4% 

(3) 

7.1% 

(4) 

17.9% 

(10) 

30.4% 

(17) 

35.7% 

(20) 

3.6% 

(2) 

c. Earmarked federal 

grants and loans 

(n=56) 

10.7% 

(6) 

5.4% 

(3) 

12.5% 

(7) 

30.4% 

(17) 

32.1% 

(18) 

8.9% 

(5) 

d. “Enterprise Zone” 

facility bonds

(n=55) 

47.3% 

(26) 

7.3% 

(4) 

1.8% 

(1) 

5.5% 

(3) 

1.8% 

(1) 

36.4% 

(20) 

e. Regulatory

waivers 

(n=55) 

29.1% 

(16) 

12.7% 

(7) 

14.5% 

(8) 

12.7% 

(7) 

9.1% 

(5) 

21.8% 

(12) 

11. Did your EC use the EC grant to leverage additional funds? (Leveraged funds are other federal and 

nonfederal dollars attracted using the EC grant.) (n=57) 

 Additional funds were leveraged. 100% (57)

 Additional funds were not leveraged. 0 Æ SKIP to Question 14

Page 7 
12. Did your EC obtain leveraged funds for the following types of activities? 

a. Capital improvements (for example, land, improvements to 

land, design, permits, acquisition of real property, 

construction of new structures; initial furnishings; and

selected equipment like ambulances, fire fighting 

equipment, or library collections) (n=56)................................ 94.6% (53) Yes...5.4% (3) No 

b. Social services (for example, job training and placement, 

education, mental/physical health care, child care, 

financial management programs) (n=56)................................. 92.9% (52) Yes...7.1% (4) No

c. Funding for businesses (for example, entrepreneurial 

training, loan funds, micro-lending programs) (n=57)............. 87.7% (50) Yes...12.3% (7) No 

d. Organizational development (for example, leadership

development, citizen participation, 

board training) (n=57) .............................................................. 61.4% (35) Yes...38.6% (22) No

e. Administrative costs (for example, salaries and benefits, 

rent, other operating costs) (n=56)............................................ 69.6% (39) Yes...30.4% (17) No 

13. Did any of your sources of leveraged funds require that you use EC funding to match their 

funding? (n=56)

 Yes 42.9% (24)

 No 57.1% (32)

Page 8 
USE OF “ENTERPRISE ZONE” FACILITY BOND

14. At any time between 1994 and 2004, did your local government issue a federal “Enterprise Zone” 

Facility Bond? (State and local governments could issue Enterprise Zone Facility Bonds in ECs to 

make loans at lower interest rates to Enterprise Zone Businesses to finance Qualified Zone Property. A 

business qualified as an Enterprise Zone Business if it was located and actively conducted business in an 

EC, employed residents of an EC, and had its employees perform services in the EC.) (n=57)

 Bond was issued. 3.5% (2) Æ SKIP to Question 16 

 Bond was not issued. 71.9% (41) 

SKIP to Question 17 

 ---

 Don’t know. 24.6% (14) Æ SKIP to Question 17 

15. (If bond not issued) What were reasons that the “Enterprise Zone” Facility Bond was not used? 

 

16. (If bond was issued) Was more than one “Enterprise Zone” Facility Bond issued? (n=2) 

 More than one bond was issued. 0 

 Only one bond was issued. 100% (2) 

Page 9 
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD) AND YOUR EC

Note: 31 urban sites completed the survey.

17. Did HUD headquarters or local office staff assist your EC with any of the following? 

a. Provide information on other funding opportunities (n=29) ..... 96.6% (28) Yes...3.4% (1) No 

b. Provide program information (for example, guidebooks 

pamphlets, web-based information) (n=29) ............................. 96.6% (28) Yes...3.4% (1) No 

c. Hold conferences on the EZ/EC program (n=28)...................... 71.4% (20) Yes...28.6% (8) No 

d. Sponsor trainings (for example, effective strategic planning, 

 economic development promotion, future designation

application) on the EZ/EC program (n=29).............................. 55.2% (16) Yes...44.8% (13) No 

e. Attend 50 percent or more of board meetings (n=28) ............... 25.0% (7) Yes.....75.0% (21) No 

f. Provide technical assistance for reporting in the 

Performance Measurement System (PERMS) (n=28) ............... 82.1% (23) Yes...17.9% (5) No 

g. Provide other technical assistance, please describe: (n=29)..... 10.3% (3) Yes.....89.7% (26) No 

 

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) AND YOUR EC

Note: 27 rural sites completed the survey.

17. Did HUD headquarters or local office staff assist your EC with any of the following? 

a. Provide information on other funding opportunities (n=27) ..... 100% (27) Yes....0 No 

b. Provide program information (for example, guidebooks 

pamphlets, web-based information) (n=27) ............................. 100% (27) Yes....0 No 

c. Hold conferences on the EZ/EC program (n=26)...................... 92.3% (24) Yes...7.7% (2) No 

d. Sponsor trainings (for example, effective strategic planning, 

 economic development promotion, future designation

application) on the EZ/EC program (n=27).............................. 92.6% (25) Yes...7.4% (2) No 

e. Attend 50 percent or more of board meetings (n=27) ............... 70.4% (19) Yes...29.6% (8) No 

f. Provide technical assistance for reporting in the 

Benchmarking Management System (BMS) (n=27).................. 100% (27) Yes....0 No 

g. Provide other technical assistance, please describe: (n=27)..... 29.6% (8) Yes.....70.4% (19) No 

 

Page 10 
CHANGES IN THE EC 

The following questions seek information on changes that have occurred in the EC and affect the EC. 

18. What data are available that describe changes in the poverty rate of EC residents? 

 

19. According to the data described in Question 18, did the poverty rate of EC residents show a net 

increase, no net change, or net decrease between 1994 and 2004? (n=49)

 Large net increase 0 

 Some net increase 16.3% (8)

 No net change 16.3% (8) Æ SKIP to Question 21

 Some net decrease 53.1% (26) Æ SKIP to Question 22

 Large net decrease 14.3% (7) Æ SKIP to Question 22

Page 11 
Responses to questions 20 and 22 were used in conjunction with Census data for reporting purposes; 

therefore, results are presented separately at the end of this document. 

20. If the poverty rate increased, in your opinion, were any of the following contributing factors? 

a. Decrease in the number of area jobs.......................................... Yes....... No 

b. Decrease in the number of area jobs with benefits.................... Yes....... No 

c. Loss of existing social services (for example, child care,

 programs for the homeless, substance abuse treatment)........... Yes....... No

d. Loss of existing adult educational services (for example, 

job training, ESL classes, GED classes).............................. Yes....... No 

e. Increased housing costs ............................................................. Yes....... No 

f. Increased utility costs................................................................. Yes....... No 

g. Out-migration of residents with middle or high incomes.......... Yes....... No 

h. In-migration of residents with low incomes.............................. Yes....... No 

i. In-migration of residents with limited job skills ........................ Yes....... No 

j. In-migration of residents with limited English language skills.. Yes....... No 

k. Increase in area crime rate ......................................................... Yes....... No 

l. Welfare reform ........................................................................... Yes....... No 

m. Other Æ Please describe: ....................................................... Yes....... No 

SKIP to Question 23 

 

 

21. If the poverty rate showed no net change, in your opinion, what were the contributing factors?

 

SKIP to Question 23 

Page 12 
22. If the poverty rate decreased, in your opinion, were any of the following contributing factors?

a. Increase in the number of area jobs........................................... Yes....... No 

b. Increase in the number of area jobs with benefits..................... Yes....... No 

c. Increase in social services (for example, child care, 

 programs for the homeless, substance abuse treatment)........... Yes....... No

d. Increase in adult educational services (for example, 

job training, ESL classes, GED classes)................................... Yes....... No 

e. Decreased housing costs............................................................ Yes....... No 

f. Decreased utility costs................................................................ Yes....... No 

g. Increased homeownership ......................................................... Yes....... No 

h. In-migration of residents with middle or high incomes............. Yes....... No 

i. Out-migration of residents with low incomes............................ Yes....... No 

j. Decrease in area crime rate......................................................... Yes....... No 

k. Physical improvements made in area neighborhoods................ Yes....... No 

l. Welfare reform ........................................................................... Yes....... No 

m. Other Æ Please describe: ....................................................... Yes....... No 

 

23. What data are available that describe changes in the unemployment rate of EC residents? 

 

24. According to the data described in Question 23, did the unemployment rate of EC residents show a 

net increase, no net change, or net decrease between 1994 and 2004? (n=49) 

 Large net increase 0

 Some net increase 14.3% (7) 

 No net change 12.2% (6) Æ SKIP to Question 26

 Some net decrease 55.1% (27) Æ SKIP to Question 27

 Large net decrease 18.4% (9) Æ SKIP to Question 27

Page 13 
Responses to questions 25 and 27 were used in conjunction with Census data for reporting purposes; 

therefore, results are presented separately at the end of this document. 

25. If the unemployment rate increased, in your opinion, were any of the following contributing 

factors? 

a. Decrease in the number of area jobs.......................................... Yes....... No 

b. Decrease in the number of area jobs with benefits.................... Yes....... No 

c. Increase in the number of jobs requiring skills that EC 

residents did not have................................................................ Yes....... No 

d. Loss of existing social services (for example, child care, 

 programs for the homeless, substance abuse treatment).......... Yes....... No

e. Loss of existing adult educational services (for example, 

job training, ESL classes, GED classes)................................... Yes....... No 

f. In-migration of unemployed residents ....................................... Yes....... No 

g. Out-migration of employed residents........................................ Yes....... No 

h. In-migration of residents with limited job skills........................ Yes....... No 

i. In-migration of residents with limited English language skills.. Yes....... No 

j. Other Æ Please describe: .......................................................... Yes....... No 

 

SKIP to Question 28 

26. If the unemployment rate showed no net change, in your opinion, what were the contributing 

factors?

 

SKIP to Question 28 

Page 14 
27. If the unemployment rate decreased, in your opinion, were any of the following contributing 

 factors? 

a. Increase in the number of area jobs........................................... Yes....... No 

b. Increase in the number of jobs with benefits............................. Yes....... No 

c. Increased skill level of area residents........................................ Yes....... No 

d. Increase in social services (for example, child care, 

 programs for the homeless, substance abuse treatment)........... Yes....... No

e. Increase in adult educational services (for example, 

job training, ESL classes, GED classes).................................... Yes....... No 

f. Out-migration of unemployed residents..................................... Yes....... No 

g. In-migration of employed residents........................................... Yes....... No 

h. In-migration of residents with job skills.................................... Yes....... No 

i. Other Æ Please describe: .......................................................... Yes....... No 

 

28. We define economic growth to include increases in new businesses, business expansion, and job 

creation in an area. What data are available that describe changes in the economic growth of

your EC? 

 

29. According to the data described in Question 28, did your EC experience a net increase in economic 

growth, no net change, or a net decrease in economic growth between 1994 and 2004? (n=39)

 Large net increase 20.5% (8) 

 Some net increase 51.3% (20)

 No net change 12.8% (5) Æ SKIP to Question 31

 Some net decrease 15.4% (6) Æ SKIP to Question 32

 Large net decrease 0 Æ SKIP to Question 32

Page 15 
Responses to questions 30 and 32 were used in conjunction with Claritas data for reporting purposes; 

therefore, results are presented separately at the end of this document. 

30. If economic growth increased, in your opinion, were any of the following contributing factors? 

a. Increase in the number of new area businesses ......................... Yes....... No 

b. Expansion of existing area businesses....................................... Yes....... No 

c. Increase in financial assistance for area businesses (for

example, loan funds, facility bonds, micro-lending 

programs).................................................................................. Yes....... No 

d. Increase in technical assistance for area businesses (for,

example, entrepreneurial training programs, a one-stop 

capital shop, business consulting services)............................... Yes....... No 

e. Availability of tax benefits (federal, state, local)...................... Yes....... No 

f. Favorable state tax rates............................................................. Yes....... No 

g. Favorable local tax rates............................................................ Yes....... No 

h. Improved local infrastructure .................................................... Yes....... No 

i. Physical improvements made in area neighborhoods................. Yes....... No 

j. Decrease in area crime rate......................................................... Yes....... No 

k. Increased availability of low-cost commercial space in area .... Yes....... No 

l. Increased skill level of area residents......................................... Yes....... No 

m. National economic trends......................................................... Yes....... No 

n. Other Æ Please describe: ......................................................... Yes....... No 

SKIP to Question 33

SKIP to Question 33 

31. If economic growth in your EC showed no net change, in your opinion, what were the contributing

factors? 

 

 

Page 16 
32. If economic growth decreased, were any of the following contributing factors? 

a. Decrease in the number of new area businesses........................ Yes....... No 

b. Downsizing of existing area businesses .................................... Yes....... No 

c. Decrease in financial assistance for area businesses (for

example, loan funds, facility bonds, microlending 

programs).................................................................................. Yes....... No 

d. Decrease in technical assistance for area businesses (for,

example, entrepreneurial training programs, a one-stop 

capital shop, business consulting services)............................... Yes....... No 

e. Unfavorable state tax rates......................................................... Yes....... No 

f. Unfavorable local tax rates......................................................... Yes....... No 

g. Deteriorating local infrastructure............................................... Yes....... No 

h. Increased physical deterioration in area neighborhoods............ Yes....... No 

i. Increase in area crime rate.......................................................... Yes....... No 

j. Decreased availability of low-cost commercial space in area.... Yes....... No 

k. Decreased skill level of area residents....................................... Yes....... No 

l. National economic trends........................................................... Yes....... No 

m. Other Æ Please describe: ....................................................... Yes....... No 

 

Page 17 
33. In your opinion, did your EC play a role in the changes in poverty, unemployment, and economic 

growth you indicated in Questions 19, 24, and 29? (n=55) 

 EC played a role. 87.3% (48)

 EC did not play a role. 12.7% (7)

34. In your opinion, why or why didn’t your EC play a role in the changes you described in poverty, 

unemployment, and economic growth? 

 

ABOUT YOUR EC 

35. How many employees did your EC have on 

a. December 31, 1995? ....(n=49) Mean=1.6 St. Dev.=3.6 full-time employees....... part-time employees

b. December 31, 1999? ....(n=49) Mean=2.7 St. Dev.=5.5 full-time employees....... part-time employees

c. December 31, 2004? ....(n=46) Mean=1.6 St. Dev.=2.4 full-time employees....... part-time employees

Note: The response rate for part-time employees was low; therefore data are not reported.

36. How many board members did your EC have on 

a. December 31, 1995? .......(n=50) Mean=17.8 St. Dev.=11.2 members

b. December 31, 1999?.......(n=51) Mean=16.9 St. Dev.=9.4 members

c. December 31, 2004? .......(n=52) Mean=13.0 St. Dev.=8.5 members

37. We define administrative costs as general costs associated with administering a program, such as

program operating costs and the salaries and benefits of those who work on the EC. What 

amount of the EC grant was used for EC administrative costs? (If no EC grant money was used for

administrative costs, enter “0.”) 

$ Mean = $355,069 St. Dev. = $513,125 (n=50) 

Page 18 
38. In 1994, which designation did your community seek when applying to the Empowerment 

Zone/Enterprise Community program? (n=55) 

 Empowerment Zone 34.5% (19)

 Enterprise Community 65.5% (36) 

39. In 1998, did your EC apply for a Round II Empowerment Zone designation? (n=54)

 Applied 57.4% (31) 

 Did not apply 42.6% (23) 

40. In 2000, did your EC apply for a Round III Empowerment Zone designation? (n=53) 

 Applied 18.9% (10) 

 Did not apply 81.1% (43) 

41. In 2000, did your EC apply for a Renewal Community designation? (n=53) 

 Applied 15.1% (8) 

 Did not apply 84.9% (45) 

42. From 1994 to 2004, were any external evaluations of your EC conducted by outside researchers? 

(n=52) 

 Yes 40.4% (21) 

 No 59.6% (31) 

43. Are you an Enterprise Community (EC) or an Enhanced Enterprise Community (EEC)? (n=30)

 Enterprise Community Æ SKIP to Question 50

 Enhanced Enterprise Community 

Note: The response rate for question 43 was low; therefore data are not reported. However, the three sites with

EEC designations correctly responded to this item and no sites indicated they had EEC designation when they 

did not. 

44. (For EEC) Did your EEC receive Economic Development Initiative grants provided under the 

federal Empowerment Zone/Enterprise Community (EZ/EC) program? (n=3)

 Economic Development Initiative grants were received. 100% (3)

 Economic Development Initiative grants were not received. 0 Æ SKIP to Question 47

45. (If received) How did your EEC use the Economic Development Initiative grants?

 

Page 19 
46. In your opinion, how helpful were the Economic Development Initiative grants to accomplishing 

your strategic plan goals? (n=3) 

 Extremely helpful 33.3% (1)

 Very helpful 0

 Somewhat helpful 66.7% (2)

 A little helpful 0

 Not at all helpful 0

47. Did your EEC receive Section 108 Loan Guarantees provided under the EZ/EC program? (n=3)

 Yes, we received Section 108 Loan Guarantees. 100% (3)

 No, we did not receive Section 108 Loan Guarantees. 0 Æ SKIP to Question 50

48. (If received) How did your EEC use the Section 108 Loan Guarantees?

 

49. In your opinion, how helpful were the Section 108 Loan Guarantees to accomplishing your 

strategic plan goals? (n=3) 

 Extremely helpful 33.3% (1)

 Very helpful 0

 Somewhat helpful 66.7% (2)

 A little helpful 0

 Not at all helpful 0

Page 20 
PARTICIPANT CONTACT INFORMATION 

50. Who is completing this questionnaire? 

 

Name

 

Title 

 

Name of Enterprise Community (EC) or Enhanced Enterprise Community (EEC) 

 

Address 

 

City, State, Zipcode 

 

(Area Code) Phone Number

 

E-mail Address 

51. For how many years have you held your current position at this EC/EEC? (n=54) 

 years Mean = 7.7 St. Dev. = 6.5 (n=54)

52. What are the responsibilities of your position relative to the EC/EEC? 

 

53. Before you, how many people have held this position with the EC/EEC? (n=55) 

 people Mean = 1.35 St. Dev. = 1.6 (n=55)

54. Is there anything else you would like to tell us about the Empowerment Zone/Enterprise

Community program or this survey? 

 

Page 21 
Note: The following frequencies are based on n = 1, which is the number of ECs in which Census data 

showed an increase in poverty and where the respondent answered Question 19 with “large net increase” or 

“some net increase”. 

20. If the poverty rate increased, in your opinion, were any of the following contributing factors? 

a. Decrease in the number of area jobs.......................................... 1 Yes .........0 No 

b. Decrease in the number of area jobs with benefits.................... 1 Yes .........0 No 

c. Loss of existing social services (for example, child care,

 programs for the homeless, substance abuse treatment)........... 0 Yes .........1 No

d. Loss of existing adult educational services (for example, 

job training, ESL classes, GED classes).............................. 0 Yes .........1 No 

e. Increased housing costs ............................................................. 1 Yes .........0 No 

f. Increased utility costs................................................................. 1 Yes .........0 No 

g. Out-migration of residents with middle or high incomes.......... 1 Yes .........0 No 

h. In-migration of residents with low incomes.............................. 0 Yes .........1 No 

i. In-migration of residents with limited job skills ........................ 0 Yes .........1 No 

j. In-migration of residents with limited English language skills.. 0 Yes .........1 No 

k. Increase in area crime rate ......................................................... 0 Yes .........1 No 

l. Welfare reform ........................................................................... 0 Yes .........1 No 

m. Other Æ Please describe: ....................................................... 1 Yes .........0 No 

Note: The following frequencies are based on n = 28, which is the number of ECs in which Census data 

showed an decrease in poverty and where the respondent answered Question 19 with “large net decrease” 

or “some net decrease.” Data for items with a response rate less than 70% are not reported. 

22. If the poverty rate decreased, in your opinion, were any of the following contributing factors?

a. Increase in the number of area jobs........................................... 25 Yes .......1 No 

b. Increase in the number of area jobs with benefits..................... 23 Yes .......1 No 

c. Increase in social services (for example, child care, 

 programs for the homeless, substance abuse treatment)........... 18 Yes .......4 No

d. Increase in adult educational services (for example, 

job training, ESL classes, GED classes)................................... 19 Yes .......3 No 

e. Decreased housing costs............................................................ 2 Yes .........18 No 

f. Decreased utility costs................................................................ Yes....... No 

g. Increased homeownership ......................................................... 16 Yes .......9 No 

h. In-migration of residents with middle or high incomes............. 14 Yes .......11 No 

i. Out-migration of residents with low incomes............................ 4 Yes .........16 No 

j. Decrease in area crime rate......................................................... 10 Yes .......11 No 

k. Physical improvements made in area neighborhoods................ 22 Yes .......2 No 

l. Welfare reform ........................................................................... Yes....... No 

m. Other Æ Please describe: ....................................................... 3 Yes .........23 No 

Page 22 
Note: The following frequencies are based on n = 4, which is the number of ECs in which Census data 

showed an increase in unemployment and where the respondent answered Question 24 with “large net 

increase” or “some net increase.” 

25. If the unemployment rate increased, in your opinion, were any of the following contributing 

factors? 

a. Decrease in the number of area jobs.......................................... 3 Yes .........1 No 

b. Decrease in the number of area jobs with benefits.................... 3 Yes .........1 No 

c. Increase in the number of jobs requiring skills that EC 

residents did not have................................................................ 3 Yes .........1 No 

d. Loss of existing social services (for example, child care, 

 programs for the homeless, substance abuse treatment).......... 1 Yes .........3 No

e. Loss of existing adult educational services (for example, 

job training, ESL classes, GED classes)................................... 0 Yes .........4 No 

f. In-migration of unemployed residents ....................................... 1 Yes .........3 No 

g. Out-migration of employed residents........................................ 2 Yes .........2 No 

h. In-migration of residents with limited job skills........................ 2 Yes .........2 No 

i. In-migration of residents with limited English language skills.. 1 Yes .........3 No 

j. Other Æ Please describe: .......................................................... 1 Yes .........3 No 

Note: The following frequencies are based on n = 26, which is the number of ECs in which Census data 

showed an decrease in unemployment and where the respondent answered Question 24 with “large net 

decrease” or “some net decrease.” Data for items with a response rate less than 70% are not reported. 

27. If the unemployment rate decreased, in your opinion, were any of the following contributing 

 factors? 

a. Increase in the number of area jobs........................................... 24 Yes .......1 No 

b. Increase in the number of jobs with benefits............................. 21 Yes .......2 No 

c. Increased skill level of area residents........................................ 16 Yes .......6 No 

d. Increase in social services (for example, child care, 

 programs for the homeless, substance abuse treatment)........... 15 Yes .......6 No

e. Increase in adult educational services (for example, 

job training, ESL classes, GED classes).................................... 17 Yes .......5 No 

f. Out-migration of unemployed residents..................................... Yes....... No 

g. In-migration of employed residents........................................... 11 Yes .......8 No 

h. In-migration of residents with job skills.................................... Yes....... No 

i. Other Æ Please describe: .......................................................... 2 Yes .........21 No 

Page 23 
Note: The following frequencies are based on n = 23, which is the number of ECs in which Claritas data

showed an increase in the number of jobs or the number of businesses in the EC and where the respondent 

answered Question 29 with “large net increase” or “some net increase.” 

30. If economic growth increased, in your opinion, were any of the following contributing factors? 

a. Increase in the number of new area businesses ......................... 22 Yes .......1 No 

b. Expansion of existing area businesses....................................... 22 Yes .......1 No 

c. Increase in financial assistance for area businesses (for

example, loan funds, facility bonds, micro-lending 

programs).................................................................................. 19 Yes .......4 No 

d. Increase in technical assistance for area businesses (for,

example, entrepreneurial training programs, a one-stop 

capital shop, business consulting services)............................... 21 Yes .......2 No 

e. Availability of tax benefits (federal, state, local)...................... 13 Yes .......9 No 

f. Favorable state tax rates............................................................. 10 Yes .......11 No 

g. Favorable local tax rates............................................................ 9 Yes .........12 No 

h. Improved local infrastructure .................................................... 19 Yes .......4 No 

i. Physical improvements made in area neighborhoods................. 18 Yes .......5 No 

j. Decrease in area crime rate......................................................... 9 Yes .........12 No 

k. Increased availability of low-cost commercial space in area .... 12 Yes .......9 No 

l. Increased skill level of area residents......................................... 14 Yes .......7 No 

m. National economic trends......................................................... 13 Yes .......7 No 

n. Other Æ Please describe: ......................................................... 4 Yes .........19 No 

Note: The following frequencies are based on n = 2, which is the number of ECs in which Claritas data 

showed a decrease in the number of jobs or the number of businesses in the EC and where the respondent 

answered Question 29 with “large net decrease” or “some net decrease.” Data for items with a response

rate less than 70% are not reported. 

32. If economic growth decreased, were any of the following contributing factors? 

a. Decrease in the number of new area businesses........................ 2 Yes .........0 No 

b. Downsizing of existing area businesses .................................... 2 Yes .........0 No 

c. Decrease in financial assistance for area businesses (for

example, loan funds, facility bonds, microlending 

programs).................................................................................. Yes....... No 

d. Decrease in technical assistance for area businesses (for,

example, entrepreneurial training programs, a one-stop 

capital shop, business consulting services)............................... Yes....... No 

e. Unfavorable state tax rates......................................................... 0 Yes .........2 No 

f. Unfavorable local tax rates......................................................... 0 Yes .........2 No 

g. Deteriorating local infrastructure............................................... 1 Yes .........1 No 

h. Increased physical deterioration in area neighborhoods............ 1 Yes .........1 No 

Page 24 
i. Increase in area crime rate.......................................................... 1 Yes .........1 No 

j. Decreased availability of low-cost commercial space in area.... 1 Yes .........1 No 

k. Decreased skill level of area residents....................................... 0 Yes .........2 No 

l. National economic trends........................................................... 1 Yes .........1 No 

m. Other Æ Please describe: ....................................................... 0 Yes .........2 No

(250297)

Page 25 
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