John Wooding, Dept. of Regional Economic and Social Development Social equity within a community can refer to the fairness and inclusiveness with which resources are distributed, opportunities afforded, and decisions made.
Equity can also mean capital or the net worth of an investment.
A community's social equity can also pertain to the institutions and relationships in which it has invested and which undergird its economic, political and social life. In the selected locations the federal and state government now concentrates a host of waivers on enterprise regulations, and a variety of financial incentives to increase or retain jobs. Benefits include such things as reduced property taxes, subsidized utilities, and local sales tax reduction. Through a review of the growing literature on this development strategy we will discuss the history and politics of empowerment and enterprise zones. We will analyze whether this strategy leads to community empowerment, inclusiveness, equity, and sustainable development.