F.S. 290.001 Florida Enterprise Zone Act; popular name.
Sections 290.001-290.016 may be cited as the “Florida Enterprise Zone Act.”
URBAN REDEVELOPMENT
F.S. Ch. 290
in effectF.S. 290.002 Legislative findings.
It is hereby found and declared that:
(1)
Within the communities of this state, there exist areas that chronically display extreme and unacceptable levels of unemployment, physical deterioration, and economic disinvestment.
(2)
Each such area is a blight on the community as a whole, tarnishes the image and reputation of the community in the eyes of its residents, and reduces the desirability of the community as a place to visit and live.
(3)
Such severely distressed areas have high crime rates and provide environments detrimental to the physical and emotional health of their residents.
(4)
The revitalization and redevelopment of each such area for the ultimate benefit of its residents and the community as a whole is of critical importance to the individual community and to this state.
(5)
The resources of all levels of government are insufficient, and often inappropriate, to undertake successfully the massive task of restoring the social and economic productivity of such areas.
(6)
The ultimate revitalization of such areas can occur only if the private sector can be induced to invest its own resources in productive enterprises that rebuild the industrial and commercial viability of the areas and provide jobs for residents of the areas.
(7)
In order to provide the private sector with the necessary incentives to invest in such distressed areas, governments at all levels should seek ways to relax or eliminate fiscal and regulatory constraints and should seek to identify supportive actions that facilitate business investment in such distressed areas and overcome business objections to distressed area site locations.
F.S. 290.003 Policy and purpose.
It is the policy of this state to provide the necessary means to assist local communities, their residents, and the private sector in creating the proper economic and social environment to induce the investment of private resources in productive business enterprises located in severely distressed areas and to provide jobs for residents of such areas. In achieving this objective, the state will seek to provide appropriate investments, tax benefits, and regulatory relief of sufficient importance to encourage the business community to commit its financial participation. The purpose of ss. 290.001-290.016 is to establish a process that clearly identifies such severely distressed areas and provides incentives by both the state and local government to induce private investment in such areas. The Legislature, therefore, declares the revitalization of enterprise zones, through the concerted efforts of government and the private sector, to be a public purpose.
F.S. 290.004 Definitions relating to Florida Enterprise Zone Act.
As used in ss. 290.001-290.016:
(1)
“Community investment corporation” means a black business investment corporation, a certified development corporation, a small business investment corporation, or other similar entity incorporated under Florida law that has limited its investment policy to making investments solely in minority business enterprises.
(2)
“Department” means the Department of Commerce.
(3)
“Governing body” means the council or other legislative body charged with governing the county or municipality.
(4)
“Minority business enterprise” has the same meaning as provided in s. 288.703.
(5)
“Rural enterprise zone” means an enterprise zone that is nominated by a county having a population of 75,000 or fewer, or a county having a population of 100,000 or fewer which is contiguous to a county having a population of 75,000 or fewer, or by a municipality in such a county, or by such a county and one or more municipalities. An enterprise zone designated in accordance with s. 290.0065(5)(b) is considered to be a rural enterprise zone.
(6)
“Small business” has the same meaning as provided in s. 288.703.
F.S. 290.007 State incentives available in enterprise zones.
The following incentives are provided by the state to encourage the revitalization of enterprise zones:
(1)
The enterprise zone jobs credit provided in s. 220.181.
(2)
The enterprise zone property tax credit provided in s. 220.182.
(3)
The community contribution tax credits provided in ss. 212.08, 220.183, and 624.5105.
(4)
The sales tax exemption for building materials used in the rehabilitation of real property in enterprise zones provided in s. 212.08(5)(g).
(5)
The sales tax exemption for business equipment used in an enterprise zone provided in s. 212.08(5)(h).
(6)
The sales tax exemption for electrical energy used in an enterprise zone provided in s. 212.08(15).
(7)
The enterprise zone jobs credit against the sales tax provided in s. 212.096.
(8)
Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the Public Service Commission may allow public utilities and telecommunications companies to grant discounts of up to 50 percent on tariffed rates for services to small businesses located in an enterprise zone designated pursuant to s. 290.0065. Such discounts may be granted for a period not to exceed 5 years. For purposes of this subsection, the term “public utility” has the same meaning as in s. 366.02(8) and the term “telecommunications company” has the same meaning as in s. 364.02(13).
F.S. 290.012 Transition.
Any enterprise zone having an effective date on or before January 1, 2005, shall continue to exist until December 31, 2005, and shall cease to exist on that date. Any enterprise zone designated or redesignated on or after January 1, 2006, must be designated or redesignated in accordance with the Florida Enterprise Zone Act.
F.S. 290.014 Annual reports on enterprise zones.
(1)
By October 1 of each year, the Department of Revenue shall submit an annual report to the department detailing the usage and revenue impact by county of the state incentives listed in s. 290.007.
(2)
The annual report required under s. 20.60 shall include the information provided by the Department of Revenue pursuant to subsection (1) and the information provided by enterprise zone development agencies pursuant to s. 290.0056. In addition, the report shall include an analysis of the activities and accomplishments of each enterprise zone.
F.S. 290.016 Repeal.
Sections 290.001-290.014 are repealed December 31, 2015.
F.S. 290.042 Definitions relating to Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program Act.
As used in ss. 290.0401-290.048, the term:
(1)
“Administrative closeout” means the notification of a grantee by the department that all applicable administrative actions and all required work of the grant have been completed with the exception of the final audit.
(2)
“Administrative costs” has the same meaning as defined in the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, and applicable federal regulations.
(3)
“Department” means the Department of Commerce.
(4)
“Eligible activities” means those community development activities authorized in s. 105(a) of Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, and applicable federal regulations.
(5)
“Eligible local government” means any local government which qualifies as eligible to participate in the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program in accordance with s. 102(a)(7) of Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, and applicable federal regulations, and any eligibility requirements which may be imposed by this act or by department rule.
(6)
“Person of low or moderate income” means any person who meets the definition established by the department in accordance with the guidelines established in Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended.
(7)
“Service area” means the total geographic area to be directly or indirectly served by a community development block grant project where at least 51 percent of the residents are low-income and moderate-income persons.
F.S. 290.043 Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program; administration.
There is created the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program. The department shall administer the program as authorized and described in Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended; Pub. L. No. 93-383, as amended by Pub. L. No. 96-399 and Pub. L. No. 97-35; 42 U.S.C. ss. 5301 et seq.
F.S. 290.044 Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program Fund; administration; distribution.
(1)
The Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program Fund is created. All revenue designated for deposit in such fund shall be deposited by the appropriate agency. The department shall administer this fund as a grant and loan guarantee program for carrying out the purposes of ss. 290.0401-290.048.
(2)
The department shall distribute such funds as loan guarantees and grants to eligible local governments on the basis of a competitive selection process established by rule.
(3)
The department shall require applicants for grants to compete against each other in categories that may include one or more of the following:
(a)
Housing rehabilitation.
(b)
Economic development.
(c)
Neighborhood revitalization.
(d)
Commercial revitalization.
(e)
Any other activity authorized by the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, and applicable federal regulations.
(4)
The department shall define broad community development objectives to be achieved by the activities in the grant program categories with the use of funds from the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program Fund. Such objectives shall be designed to meet at least one of the national objectives provided in the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974.
(5)
The department may set aside an amount of up to 15 percent of the funds annually for use in any eligible local government jurisdiction for which an emergency or natural disaster has been declared by executive order. Such funds may only be provided to a local government to fund eligible emergency-related activities for which no other source of federal, state, or local disaster funds is available. The department may provide for such set-aside by rule. In the last quarter of the state fiscal year, any funds not allocated under the emergency-related set-aside shall be distributed to unfunded applications.
(6)
The department shall establish a system of monitoring grants, including site visits, to ensure the proper expenditure of funds and compliance with the conditions of the recipient’s contract. The department shall establish criteria for implementation of internal control, to include, but not be limited to, the following measures:
(a)
Ensuring that subrecipient audits performed by a certified public accountant are received and responded to in a timely manner.
(b)
Establishing a uniform system of monitoring that documents appropriate followup as needed.
(c)
Providing specific justification for contract amendments that takes into account any change in contracted activities and the resultant cost adjustments which shall be reflected in the amount of the grant.
F.S. 290.046 Applications for grants; procedures; requirements.
(1)
In applying for a grant under a specific program category, an applicant shall propose eligible activities that directly address the objectives of that program category.
(2)(a)
The department shall establish minimum criteria pertaining to the number of jobs created for persons of low or moderate income, the degree of private sector financial commitment, and the economic feasibility of the proposed project and shall establish any other criteria the department deems appropriate. Assistance to a private, for-profit business may not be provided from a grant award unless sufficient evidence exists to demonstrate that without such public assistance the creation or retention of such jobs would not occur.
(b)
A local government with an open housing rehabilitation, neighborhood revitalization, or commercial revitalization contract is not eligible to apply for another housing rehabilitation, neighborhood revitalization, or commercial revitalization grant until administrative closeout of its existing contract. The department shall notify a local government of administrative closeout or of any outstanding closeout issues within 45 days after receipt of a closeout package from the local government. A local government with an open housing rehabilitation, neighborhood revitalization, or commercial revitalization community development block grant contract whose activities are on schedule in accordance with the expenditure rates and accomplishments described in the contract may apply for an economic development grant.
(c)
A local government with an open economic development community development block grant contract whose activities are on schedule in accordance with the expenditure rates and accomplishments described in the contract may apply for a housing rehabilitation, neighborhood revitalization, or commercial revitalization community development block grant. A local government with an open economic development contract whose activities are on schedule in accordance with the expenditure rates and accomplishments described in the contract may receive more than one additional economic development grant in each fiscal year.
(d)
The department may not award a grant until it has conducted a site visit to verify the information contained in the local government’s application.
(3)(a)
The department shall rank each application received during the application cycle according to criteria established by rule. The ranking system shall include a procedure to eliminate or reduce any population-related bias that places exceptionally small communities at a disadvantage in the competition for funds.
(b)
Funds shall be distributed according to the rankings established in each application cycle. If economic development funds remain available after the application cycle closes, the remaining funds shall be awarded to eligible projects.
(c)
The application’s program impact score, equal employment opportunity and fair housing score, and communitywide needs score may take into consideration scoring factors, including, but not limited to, unemployment, poverty levels, low-income and moderate-income populations, benefits to low-income and moderate-income residents, use of minority-owned and woman-owned business enterprises in previous grants, health and safety issues, and the condition of physical structures.
(4)
In order to provide citizens with information concerning an applicant’s proposed project, the applicant shall make available to the public information concerning the amounts of funds available for various activities and the range of activities that may be undertaken. In addition, the applicant shall hold a minimum of two public hearings in the local jurisdiction within which the project is to be implemented to obtain the views of citizens before submitting the final application to the department. The applicant shall conduct the initial hearing to solicit public input concerning community needs, inform the public about funding opportunities available to address community needs, and discuss activities that may be undertaken. Before a second public hearing is held, the applicant must publish a summary of the proposed application that provides citizens with an opportunity to examine the contents of the application and to submit comments. The applicant shall conduct a second hearing to obtain comments from citizens concerning the proposed application and to modify the proposed application if appropriate.
(5)
The local government may establish a citizen advisory task force composed of citizens in the jurisdiction in which the proposed project is to be implemented to provide input relative to all phases of the project process.
(6)
The department shall, before approving an application for a grant, determine that the applicant has the administrative capacity to carry out the proposed activities and has performed satisfactorily in carrying out past activities funded by community development block grants. The evaluation of past performance shall take into account procedural aspects of previous grants as well as substantive results. If the department determines that any applicant has failed to accomplish substantially the results it proposed in previously funded applications, it may prohibit the applicant from receiving a grant or may penalize the applicant in the rating of the current application. An application for grant funds may not be denied solely upon the basis of the past performance of the eligible applicant.
F.S. 290.047 Establishment of grant ceilings and maximum administrative cost percentages; elimination of population bias; loans in default.
(1)
For all program categories, the department shall incorporate into its system of competitively ranking applications a procedure intended to eliminate or reduce any existing population-related bias that places exceptionally small communities at a disadvantage in the competition for funds. In no case may there be reserved specifically for exceptionally small communities a portion of the funds to be distributed. Instead, a procedure shall be established whereby the scores of exceptionally small communities are compared to each other rather than to larger communities.
(2)
The department shall establish grant ceilings for each program category by rule.
(3)
The maximum percentage of block grant funds that can be spent on administrative costs by an eligible local government shall be 15 percent for the housing rehabilitation program category, 8 percent for both the neighborhood and the commercial revitalization program categories, and 8 percent for the economic development program category. The maximum amount of block grant funds that may be spent on administrative costs by an eligible local government for the economic development program category is $120,000. The purpose of the ceiling is to maximize the amount of block grant funds actually going toward the redevelopment of the area. The department will continue to encourage eligible local governments to consider ways to limit the amount of block grant funds used for administrative costs, consistent with the need for prudent management and accountability in the use of public funds. However, this subsection does not prohibit eligible local governments from contributing their own funds or making in-kind contributions to cover administrative costs which exceed the prescribed ceilings, provided that all such contributions come from local government resources other than Community Development Block Grant funds.
(4)
The department shall develop by rule grant administration procurement procedures for eligible local governments. These procedures shall include, but not be limited to, the evaluation of an individual or business entity based upon past performance in the administration of community development block grants and based upon the type, number, and geographic distribution of grants to be administered.
(5)
An eligible local government shall not contract with the same individual or business entity for more than one service to be performed in connection with a community development block grant, including, but not limited to, application preparation services, administration services, architectural services, engineering services, and construction services, unless it can be demonstrated by the eligible local government that such individual or business entity either is the sole source of the service or is the responsive proposer whose proposal is determined in writing as a result of a competitive process to be the most advantageous to the local government.
(6)
The maximum amount of block grant funds that may be spent on engineering and architectural costs by an eligible local government shall be determined in accordance with a method adopted by the department by rule. Any such method so adopted shall be consistent with the schedule used by the United States Farmer’s Home Administration as applied to projects in Florida or another comparable schedule as amended.
(7)
Grant ceilings do not apply to the loan guarantee program authorized in s. 290.0455.
(8)
If an applicant was the sponsor of an activity under the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Loan Guarantee Program, and the loan for such activity is in default, thereby requiring the department to reduce its annual grant award in order to pay the annual debt service on the applicant’s loan, the department shall reduce the grant ceiling available to such applicant in an amount equal to the amount of the state’s grant award required to be used for the loan debt service.
F.S. 290.048 General powers of department under ss. 290.0401-290.048.
The department has all the powers necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes and provisions of the program, including the power to:
(1)
Make contracts and agreements with the Federal Government; other agencies of the state; any other public agency; or any other public person, association, corporation, local government, or entity in exercising its powers and performing its duties under ss. 290.0401-290.048.
(2)
Seek and accept funding from any public or private source.
(3)
Adopt and enforce rules not inconsistent with ss. 290.0401-290.048 for the administration of the fund.
(4)
Assist in training employees of local governing authorities to help achieve and increase their capacity to administer programs pursuant to ss. 290.0401-290.048 and provide technical assistance and advice to local governing authorities involved with these programs.
(5)
Pledge community development block grant revenues from the Federal Government in order to guarantee notes or other obligations of a public entity which are approved pursuant to s. 290.0455.
(6)
Establish an advisory committee of no more than 13 members to solicit participation in designing, administering, and evaluating the program and in linking the program with other housing and community development resources.
F.S. 290.053 Response to economic emergencies in small communities.
(1)
The Legislature finds that attracting, retaining, and providing favorable conditions for businesses which contribute to the economic health of small communities through the generation of business and employment opportunities is in the public interest. The Legislature recognizes that conditions may exist where criteria for existing economic development programs prevent some businesses from participating and that existing criteria should be waived in order to allow businesses which are significant employers in these small communities to participate in these programs in order to improve the economic health of these communities. The Legislature further recognizes that the loss of an industry or the inability of a significant employer to open or reopen a business in a small community creates a state of economic emergency within that community.
(2)
A community is in a state of economic emergency when any of the following conditions occur:
(a)
Closure of a business which is a significant employer of workers in the community.
(b)
Closure of a business which significantly affects the operations of other businesses which are significant employers of workers in the community.
(c)
A business which would be a significant employer of workers in the community is unable to open or reopen due to a lack of economic incentives or a business environment which is not favorable to the opening or reopening of that business.
(d)
The community experiences substantial unemployment due to the closure of a major industry.
(3)
A local government entity shall notify the Governor and the Department of Commerce when one or more of the conditions specified in subsection (2) have occurred or will occur if action is not taken to assist the local governmental entity or the affected community.
(4)
Upon notification that one or more of the conditions described in subsection (2) exist, the Governor or his or her designee shall contact the local governmental entity to determine what actions have been taken by the local governmental entity or the affected community to resolve the economic emergency. The Governor may waive the eligibility criteria of any program or activity administered by the Department of Commerce to provide economic relief to the affected community by granting participation in such programs or activities. The Governor shall consult with the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives and shall take other action, as necessary, to resolve the economic emergency in the most expedient manner possible. All actions taken pursuant to this section shall be within current appropriations and shall have no annualized impact beyond normal growth.
F.S. 290.0055 Local nominating procedure.
(1)
If, pursuant to s. 290.0065, an opportunity exists for designation of a new enterprise zone, any county or municipality, or a county and one or more municipalities together, may apply to the department for the designation of an area as an enterprise zone after completion of the following:
(a)
The adoption by the governing body or bodies of a resolution which:
1.
Finds that an area exists in such county or municipality, or in both the county and one or more municipalities, which chronically exhibits extreme and unacceptable levels of poverty, unemployment, physical deterioration, and economic disinvestment;
2.
Determines that the rehabilitation, conservation, or redevelopment, or a combination thereof, of such area is necessary in the interest of the public health, safety, and welfare of the residents of such county or municipality, or such county and one or more municipalities; and
3.
Determines that the revitalization of such area can occur only if the private sector can be induced to invest its own resources in productive enterprises that build or rebuild the economic viability of the area.
(b)
The creation of an enterprise zone development agency pursuant to s. 290.0056.
(c)
The creation and adoption of a strategic plan pursuant to s. 290.0057.
(2)
The governing body of a county as defined by s. 125.011(1) shall nominate all enterprise zones within the county.
(3)
A county or municipality, or a county and one or more municipalities together, may not nominate more than one enterprise zone.
(4)
An area nominated by a county or municipality, or a county and one or more municipalities together, for designation as an enterprise zone shall be eligible for designation under s. 290.0065 only if it meets the following criteria:
(a)
The selected area does not exceed 20 square miles. The selected area must have a continuous boundary, or consist of not more than three noncontiguous parcels.
(b)1.
The selected area does not exceed the following mileage limitation:
2.
For communities having a total population of 150,000 persons or more, or for a rural enterprise zone, the selected area shall not exceed 20 square miles.
3.
For communities having a total population of 50,000 persons or more but less than 150,000 persons, the selected area shall not exceed 10 square miles.
4.
For communities having a total population of 20,000 persons or more but less than 50,000 persons, the selected area shall not exceed 5 square miles.
5.
For communities having a total population of 7,500 persons or more but less than 20,000 persons, the selected area shall not exceed 3 square miles.
6.
For communities having a total population of less than 7,500 persons, the selected area shall not exceed 3 square miles.
(c)
The selected area suffers from pervasive poverty, unemployment, and general distress, as described and measured pursuant to s. 290.0058.
(5)
To the greatest extent possible, the boundary of an area nominated must coincide with the boundaries of census geographic block groups.
(6)(a)
The department may approve a change in the boundary of any enterprise zone which was designated pursuant to s. 290.0065. A boundary change must continue to satisfy the requirements of subsections (3), (4), and (5).
(b)
Upon a recommendation by the enterprise zone development agency, the governing body of the jurisdiction which authorized the application for an enterprise zone may apply to the department for a change in boundary once every 3 years by adopting a resolution that:
1.
States with particularity the reasons for the change; and
2.
Describes specifically and, to the extent required by the department, the boundary change to be made.
(c)
At least 90 days before adopting a resolution seeking a change in the boundary of an enterprise zone, the governing body shall include in a notice of the meeting at which the resolution will be considered an explanation that a change in the boundary of an enterprise zone will be considered and that the change may result in loss of enterprise zone eligibility for the area affected by the boundary change.
(d)1.
The governing body of a jurisdiction which has nominated an application for an enterprise zone that is at least 15 square miles and less than 20 square miles and includes a portion of the state designated as a rural area of opportunity under s. 288.0656(7) may apply to the department to expand the boundary of the existing enterprise zone by not more than 3 square miles.
2.
The governing body of a jurisdiction which has nominated an application for an enterprise zone that is at least 20 square miles and includes a portion of the state designated as a rural area of opportunity under s. 288.0656(7) may apply to the department to expand the boundary of the existing enterprise zone by not more than 5 square miles.
3.
An application to expand the boundary of an enterprise zone under this paragraph must be submitted by December 31, 2013.
4.
Notwithstanding the area limitations specified in subsection (4), the department may approve the request for a boundary amendment if the area continues to satisfy the remaining requirements of this section.
5.
The department shall establish the initial effective date of an enterprise zone designated under this paragraph.
F.S. 290.0056 Enterprise zone development agency.
(1)
Upon adoption of the resolution as provided in s. 290.0055(1)(a), the county or municipality shall create a public body corporate and politic to be known as an “enterprise zone development agency.” For an area nominated by a county and one or more municipalities jointly, the county shall create the agency. Each such agency shall be constituted as a public instrumentality, and the exercise by an enterprise zone development agency of the powers conferred by this act shall be deemed and held to be the performance of an essential public function. The enterprise zone development agency of a county has the power to function within the corporate limits of a municipality only if the governing body of the municipality has by resolution concurred in the enterprise zone development plan prepared pursuant to s. 290.0057.
(2)
When the governing body creates an enterprise zone development agency, that body shall appoint a board of commissioners of the agency, which shall consist of not fewer than 8 or more than 13 commissioners. The governing body may appoint at least one representative from each of the following: the local chamber of commerce; local financial or insurance entities; local businesses and, where possible, businesses operating within the nominated area; the residents residing within the nominated area; nonprofit community-based organizations operating within the nominated area; the local workforce development board; the local code enforcement agency; and the local law enforcement agency. The terms of office of the commissioners shall be for 4 years, except that, in making the initial appointments, the governing body shall appoint two members for terms of 3 years, two members for terms of 2 years, and one member for a term of 1 year; the remaining initial members shall serve for terms of 4 years. A vacancy occurring during a term shall be filled for the unexpired term. The importance of including individuals from the nominated area shall be considered in making appointments. Further, the importance of minority representation on the agency shall be considered in making appointments so that the agency generally reflects the gender and ethnic composition of the community as a whole.
(3)
A commissioner shall receive no compensation for his or her services, but is entitled to the necessary expenses, including travel expenses, incurred in the discharge of his or her duties. Each commissioner shall hold office until a successor has been appointed and has qualified. A certificate of the appointment or reappointment of any commissioner is conclusive evidence of the due and proper appointment of the commissioner.
(4)
The powers of an enterprise zone development agency shall be exercised by the commissioners. A majority of the commissioners constitutes a quorum for the purpose of conducting business and exercising the powers of the agency and for all other purposes. Action may be taken by the agency upon a vote of a majority of the commissioners present, unless in any case the bylaws require a larger number.
(5)
The governing body shall designate a chair and vice chair from among the commissioners. An agency may employ an executive director, technical experts, and such other agents and employees, permanent and temporary, as it requires, and determine their qualifications, duties, and compensation. For such legal service as it requires, an agency may employ or retain its own counsel and legal staff. An agency authorized to transact business and exercise powers under this act shall file with the governing body, on or before March 31 of each year, a report of its activities for the preceding fiscal year, which report shall include a complete financial statement setting forth its assets, liabilities, income, and operating expenses as of the end of such fiscal year. The agency shall make the report available for inspection during business hours in the office of the agency.
(6)
At any time after the creation of an enterprise zone development agency, the governing body of the county or municipality may appropriate to the agency such amounts as the governing body deems necessary for the administrative expenses and overhead of the agency.
(7)
The governing body may remove a commissioner for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or misconduct in office only after a hearing and only if the commissioner has been given a copy of the charges at least 10 days prior to the hearing and has had an opportunity to be heard in person or by counsel.
(8)
The enterprise zone development agency shall have the following powers and responsibilities:
(a)
To assist in the development, implementation, and annual review and update of the strategic plan or measurable goals.
(b)
To oversee and monitor the implementation of the strategic plan or measurable goals. The agency shall make quarterly reports to the governing body of the municipality or county, or the governing bodies of the county and one or more municipalities, evaluating the progress in implementing the strategic plan or measurable goals.
(c)
To identify and recommend to the governing body of the municipality or county, or the governing bodies of the county and one or more municipalities, ways to remove regulatory barriers.
(d)
To identify to the local government or governments the financial needs of, and local resources or assistance available to, eligible businesses in the zone.
(e)
To assist in promoting the enterprise zone incentives to residents and businesses within the enterprise zone.
(f)
To recommend boundary changes, as appropriate, in the enterprise zone to the governing body.
(g)
To work with organizations affiliated with Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, the University of Florida, and the University of South Florida, a group of universities unofficially named the “University Partnership for Community Development,” or similar organizations that have combined their resources to provide development consulting on a nonprofit basis.
(h)
To work with the department to ensure that the enterprise zone coordinator receives training on an annual basis.
(9)
The following powers and responsibilities shall be performed by the governing body creating the enterprise zone development agency acting as the managing agent of the enterprise zone development agency, or, contingent upon approval by such governing body, such powers and responsibilities shall be performed by the enterprise zone development agency:
(a)
To review, process, and certify applications for state enterprise zone tax incentives pursuant to ss. 212.08(5)(g), (h), and (15); 212.096; 220.181; and 220.182.
(b)
To provide assistance to businesses and residents within the enterprise zone.
(c)
To promote the development of the enterprise zone, including preparing, purchasing, and distributing by mail or other means of advertising, literature and other material concerning the enterprise zone and enterprise zone incentives.
(d)
To borrow money and apply for and accept advances, loans, grants, contributions, and any other form of financial assistance from the Federal Government or the state, county, or other public body or from any sources, public or private, for the purposes of this act, and to give such security as may be required and to enter into and carry out contracts or agreements in connection therewith; and to include in any contract for financial assistance with the Federal Government for or with respect to the development of the enterprise zone and related activities such conditions imposed pursuant to federal laws as the governing body deems reasonable and appropriate which are not inconsistent with the purposes of this section.
(e)
To appropriate such funds and make such expenditures as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this act.
(f)
To make and execute contracts and other instruments necessary or convenient to the exercise of its powers under this section.
(g)
To procure insurance or require bond against any loss in connection with its property in such amounts and from such insurers as may be necessary or desirable.
(h)
To invest any funds held in reserves or sinking funds, or any funds not required for immediate disbursement, in such investments as may be authorized by this act.
(i)
To purchase, sell, or hold stock, evidences of indebtedness, and other capital participation instruments.
(10)
Contingent upon approval by the governing body, the agency may invest in community investment corporations which conduct, or agree to conduct, loan guarantee programs assisting minority business enterprises located in the enterprise zone. In making such investments, the agency shall first attempt to invest in existing community investment corporations providing services in the enterprise zone. Such investments shall be made under conditions required by law and as the agency may require, including, but not limited to:
(a)
The funds invested by the agency shall be used to provide loan guarantees to individuals for minority business enterprises located in the enterprise zone.
(b)
The community investment corporation may not approve any application for a loan guarantee unless the person applying for the loan guarantee shows that he or she has applied for the loan or loan guarantee through normal banking channels and that the loan or loan guarantee has been refused by at least one bank or other financial institution.
(11)
Before October 1 of each year, the agency shall submit to the department for inclusion in the annual report required under s. 20.60 a complete and detailed written report setting forth:
(a)
Its operations and accomplishments during the fiscal year.
(b)
The accomplishments and progress concerning the implementation of the strategic plan or measurable goals, and any updates to the strategic plan or measurable goals.
(c)
The number and type of businesses assisted by the agency during the fiscal year.
(d)
The number of jobs created within the enterprise zone during the fiscal year.
(e)
The usage and revenue impact of state and local incentives granted during the calendar year.
(f)
Any other information required by the department.
(12)
In the event that the nominated area selected by the governing body is not designated a state enterprise zone, the governing body may dissolve the agency after receiving notification from the department that the area was not designated as an enterprise zone.
F.S. 290.0057 Enterprise zone development plan.
(1)
Any application for designation as a new enterprise zone must be accompanied by a strategic plan adopted by the governing body of the municipality or county, or the governing bodies of the county and one or more municipalities together. At a minimum, the plan must:
(a)
Briefly describe the community’s goals for revitalizing the area.
(b)
Describe the ways in which the community’s approaches to economic development, social and human services, transportation, housing, community development, public safety, and educational and environmental concerns will be addressed in a coordinated fashion, and explain how these linkages support the community’s goals.
(c)
Identify and describe key community goals and the barriers that restrict the community from achieving these goals, including a description of poverty and general distress, barriers to economic opportunity and development, and barriers to human development.
(d)
Describe the process by which the affected community is a full partner in the process of developing and implementing the plan and the extent to which local institutions and organizations have contributed to the planning process.
(e)
Commit the governing body or bodies to enact and maintain local fiscal and regulatory incentives, if approval for the area is received under s. 290.0065. These incentives may include the municipal public service tax exemption provided by s. 166.231, the economic development ad valorem tax exemption provided by s. 196.1995, the business tax exemption provided by s. 205.054, local impact fee abatement or reduction, or low-interest or interest-free loans or grants to businesses to encourage the revitalization of the nominated area.
(f)
Identify the amount of local and private resources that will be available in the nominated area and the private/public partnerships to be used, which may include participation by, and cooperation with, universities, community colleges, small business development centers, black business investment corporations, certified development corporations, and other private and public entities.
(g)
Indicate how state enterprise zone tax incentives and state, local, and federal resources will be utilized within the nominated area.
(h)
Identify the funding requested under any state or federal program in support of the proposed economic, human, community, and physical development and related activities.
(i)
Identify baselines, methods, and benchmarks for measuring the success of carrying out the strategic plan.
(2)
Prior to adopting the strategic plan, the governing body or bodies shall submit the plan to the appropriate local planning agency for review and recommendations as to its conformity with the comprehensive plan for the development of the county or municipality or the county and one or more municipalities as a whole. The local planning agency shall submit its written recommendations with respect to the conformity of the proposed strategic plan to the governing body or bodies within 60 days after receipt of the plan for review.
(3)
Prior to adopting the strategic plan, the governing body or bodies shall hold a public hearing on the strategic plan after public notice thereof by publication in a newspaper having a general circulation in the area of operation of the governing body or bodies. The notice shall describe the time, date, place, and purpose of the hearing, identify the nominated area covered by the plan, and outline the general scope of the strategic plan under consideration.
F.S. 290.0058 Determination of pervasive poverty, unemployment, and general distress.
(1)
In determining whether an area suffers from pervasive poverty, unemployment, and general distress, for purposes of ss. 290.0055 and 290.0065, the governing body and the department shall use data from the most current decennial census, and from information published by the Bureau of the Census and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data shall be comparable in point or period of time and methodology employed.
(2)
Pervasive poverty shall be evidenced by a showing that poverty is widespread throughout the nominated area. The poverty rate of the nominated area shall be established using the following criteria:
(a)
In each census geographic block group within a nominated area, the poverty rate may not be less than 20 percent. However, for an area nominated for designation as a rural enterprise zone which does not have a poverty rate of more than 20 percent in each census geographic block group within the nominated area, the poverty rate for the nominated area may be calculated using the poverty rate for the entire county, which may not be less than 20 percent.
(b)
In at least 50 percent of the census geographic block groups within the nominated area, the poverty rate may not be less than 30 percent. This requirement does not apply to an area nominated for designation as a rural enterprise zone.
(c)
Census geographic block groups with no population shall be treated as having a poverty rate which meets the standards of paragraph (a), but shall be treated as having a zero poverty rate for purposes of applying paragraph (b).
(d)
A nominated area may not contain a noncontiguous parcel unless such parcel separately meets the criteria set forth under paragraphs (a) and (b).
(3)
Unemployment shall be evidenced by data indicating that the average rate of unemployment for the nominated area is not less than the state’s average of unemployment, or by evidence of especially severe economic conditions which have brought about significant job dislocation within the nominated area.
(4)
General distress shall be evidenced by describing adverse conditions within the nominated area other than those of pervasive poverty and unemployment. A high incidence of crime, abandoned structures, and deteriorated infrastructure or substantial population decline are examples of appropriate indicators of general distress.
(5)
In making the calculations required by this section, the local government and the department shall round all fractional percentages of one-half percent or more up to the next highest whole percentage figure.
F.S. 290.0065 State designation of enterprise zones.
(1)
The maximum number of enterprise zones authorized under this section is the number of enterprise zones having an effective date on or before January 1, 2005, subject to any increase due to any new enterprise zones authorized by the Legislature during the 2005 Regular Session of the Legislature.
(2)
If, pursuant to subsection (4), the department does not redesignate an enterprise zone, a governing body of a county or municipality or the governing bodies of a county and one or more municipalities jointly, pursuant to s. 290.0055, may apply for designation of an enterprise zone to take the place of the enterprise zone not redesignated and request designation of an enterprise zone. The department shall determine which areas nominated by such governing bodies meet the criteria outlined in s. 290.0055 and are the most appropriate for designation as state enterprise zones. Each application made pursuant to s. 290.0055 shall be ranked competitively based on the pervasive poverty, unemployment, and general distress of the area; the strategic plan, including local fiscal and regulatory incentives, prepared pursuant to s. 290.0057; and the prospects for new investment and economic development in the area. Pervasive poverty, unemployment, and general distress shall be weighted 35 percent; strategic plan and local fiscal and regulatory incentives shall be weighted 40 percent; and prospects for new investment and economic development in the area shall be weighted 25 percent.
(3)
Any area authorized to be an enterprise zone by both a county and a municipality shall be placed in the appropriate category established under s. 290.0055(4)(b) in which an application by the municipality would have been considered if the municipality had acted alone, if at least 60 percent of the population of the area authorized to be an enterprise zone resides within the municipality. An area authorized to be an enterprise zone by a county and one or more municipalities shall be placed in the category in which an application by the municipality with the highest percentage of residents in such area would have been considered if such municipality had authorized the area to be an enterprise zone.
(4)(a)
Notwithstanding s. 290.0055, the department may redesignate any state enterprise zone having an effective date on or before January 1, 2005, as a state enterprise zone upon completion and submittal to the department by the governing body for an enterprise zone of the following:
1.
An updated zone profile for the enterprise zone based on the most recent census data that complies with s. 290.0055, except that pervasive poverty criteria may be set aside for rural enterprise zones.
2.
A resolution passed by the governing body for that enterprise zone requesting redesignation and explaining the reasons the conditions of the zone merit redesignation.
3.
Measurable goals for the enterprise zone developed by the enterprise zone development agency, which may be the goals established in the enterprise zone’s strategic plan.
The governing body may also submit a request for a boundary change in an enterprise zone in the same application to the department as long as the new area complies with the requirements of s. 290.0055, except that pervasive poverty criteria may be set aside for rural enterprise zones.
(b)
The department shall, based on the enterprise zone profile and the grounds for redesignation expressed in the resolution, determine whether the enterprise zone merits redesignation. The department may also examine and consider the following:
1.
Progress made, if any, in the enterprise zone’s strategic plan.
2.
Use of enterprise zone incentives during the life of the enterprise zone.
If the department determines that the enterprise zone merits redesignation, the department shall notify the governing body in writing of its approval of redesignation.
(c)
If the enterprise zone is redesignated, the department shall determine if the measurable goals submitted are reasonable. If the department determines that the goals are reasonable, it shall notify the governing body in writing that the goals have been approved.
(d)
If the department denies redesignation of an enterprise zone, it shall notify the governing body in writing of the denial. Any county or municipality having jurisdiction over an area denied redesignation as a state enterprise zone pursuant to this subsection may not apply for designation of that area for 1 year following the date of denial.
(5)
Notwithstanding s. 290.0055, an area designated as a federal empowerment zone or enterprise community pursuant to Title XIII of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, or the 1999 Agricultural Appropriations Act shall be designated a state enterprise zone as follows:
(a)
An area designated as an urban empowerment zone or urban enterprise community pursuant to Title XIII of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, or the 2000 Community Renewal Tax Relief Act shall be redesignated a state enterprise zone by the department upon completion of the requirements set out in paragraph (d), except in the case of a county as defined in s. 125.011(1) which, notwithstanding s. 290.0055, may incorporate and include such designated urban empowerment zone or urban enterprise community areas within the boundaries of its state enterprise zones without any limitation as to size.
(b)
An area designated as a rural empowerment zone or rural enterprise community pursuant to Title XIII of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 or the 1999 Agricultural Appropriations Act shall be redesignated a state rural enterprise zone by the department upon completion of the requirements set out in paragraph (d) and may incorporate and include such designated rural empowerment zone or rural enterprise community within the boundaries of its state enterprise zones without any limitation as to size.
(c)
Any county or municipality having jurisdiction over an area redesignated as a state enterprise zone pursuant to this subsection, other than a county defined in s. 125.011(1), may not apply for designation of another area.
(d)
Before redesignating such areas as state enterprise zones, the department shall ensure that the governing body having jurisdiction over the zone submits the information required under paragraph (4)(a) for redesignation to the department.
(6)(a)
The department may develop guidelines necessary for the approval of areas under this section by the Secretary of Commerce.
(b)
Such guidelines shall provide for the measurement of pervasive poverty, unemployment, and general distress using the criteria outlined by s. 290.0058.
(c)
Such guidelines shall provide for the evaluation of the strategic plan or measurable goals and local fiscal and regulatory incentives for effectiveness, including how the following key principles will be implemented by the governing body or bodies:
1.
Economic opportunity, including job creation within the community and throughout the region, as well as entrepreneurial initiatives, small business expansion, and training for jobs that offer upward mobility.
2.
Sustainable community development that advances the creation of livable and vibrant communities through comprehensive approaches that coordinate economic, physical, community, and human development.
3.
Community-based partnerships involving the participation of all segments of the community.
4.
Strategic vision for change that identifies how the community will be revitalized. This vision should include methods for building on community assets and coordinate a response to community needs in a comprehensive fashion. This vision should provide goals and performance benchmarks for measuring progress and establish a framework for evaluating and adjusting the strategic plan or measurable goals.
5.
Local fiscal and regulatory incentives enacted pursuant to s. 290.0057(1)(e). These incentives should induce economic revitalization, including job creation and small business expansion.
(d)
Such guidelines may provide methods for evaluating the prospects for new investment and economic development in the area, including a review and evaluation of any previous state enterprise zones located in the area.
(7)
Upon approval by the department of a resolution authorizing an area to be an enterprise zone pursuant to this section, the department shall assign a unique identifying number to that resolution. The department shall provide the Department of Revenue with a copy of each resolution approved, together with its identifying number.
F.S. 290.0066 Revocation of enterprise zone designation.
(1)
The department may revoke the designation of an enterprise zone if the department determines that the governing body or bodies:
(a)
Have failed to make progress in achieving the benchmarks set forth in the strategic plan or measurable goals; or
(b)
Have not complied substantially with the strategic plan or measurable goals.
(2)
The failure to enact and maintain the local fiscal and regulatory incentives committed to and adopted by the governing body or bodies pursuant to s. 290.0057(1)(e) for 2 consecutive calendar years shall result in the automatic termination of enterprise zone designation.
(3)
Any action taken to rescind designation is subject to the provisions of chapter 120. Such action may be initiated 90 days after issuing a written letter of warning to the governing body or bodies. Such action shall not act to deny credits or exemptions previously granted or affect any bonds that have been issued.
F.S. 290.0072 Enterprise zone designation for the City of Winter Haven.
The City of Winter Haven may apply to the department for designation of one enterprise zone for an area within the City of Winter Haven, which zone shall encompass an area up to 5 square miles. Notwithstanding s. 290.0065 limiting the total number of enterprise zones designated and the number of enterprise zones within a population category, the department may designate one enterprise zone under this section. The department shall establish the initial effective date of the enterprise zone designated pursuant to this section.
F.S. 290.0073 Enterprise zone designation for Indian River County, the City of Vero Beach, and the City of Sebastian.
Indian River County, the City of Vero Beach, and the City of Sebastian may jointly apply to the department for designation of one enterprise zone encompassing an area not to exceed 10 square miles. Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 290.0065 limiting the total number of enterprise zones designated and the number of enterprise zones within a population category, the department may designate one enterprise zone under this section. The department shall establish the initial effective date of the enterprise zone designated pursuant to this section.
F.S. 290.0074 Enterprise zone designation for Sumter County.
Sumter County may apply to the department for designation of one enterprise zone encompassing an area not to exceed 10 square miles. Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 290.0065 limiting the total number of enterprise zones designated and the number of enterprise zones within a population category, the department may designate one enterprise zone under this section. The department shall establish the initial effective date of the enterprise zone designated pursuant to this section.
F.S. 290.0077 Enterprise zone designation for Orange County and the municipality of Apopka.
Orange County and the municipality of Apopka may jointly apply to the department for designation of one enterprise zone. Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 290.0065 limiting the total number of enterprise zones designated and the number of enterprise zones within a population category, the department may designate one enterprise zone under this section. The department shall establish the initial effective date of the enterprise zone designated pursuant to this section.
F.S. 290.0135 Local government ordinances; encouragements and incentives; review for adverse effects; certain changes prohibited.
(1)(a)
It is the intent of the Legislature that each ordinance adopted by a local government possessing an approved enterprise zone after January 1, 1995, when applicable, provide encouragements and incentives to increase rehabilitation, renovation, restoration, improvement, or new construction of housing, and to increase the economic viability and profitability of business and commerce, located within enterprise zones designated pursuant to s. 290.0065.
(b)
Each local government possessing an approved enterprise zone may review its ordinances to determine which may have a negative impact upon the rehabilitation, renovation, restoration, improvement, or new construction of housing, or upon the economic viability and profitability of business and commerce, located within enterprise zones designated pursuant to s. 290.0065, and may waive, amend, or otherwise modify such ordinances so as to minimize the adverse impact. Such relief may include recommendations made by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, in its “1987 Guide for Local Government and Developers,” concerning zoning and subdivision ordinances, expedited administrative and processing procedures, site planning, streets, parking, sidewalks and walkways, curbs, gutters, storm drainage systems, sanitary sewers, water supply utilities and utility easements.
(2)
Nothing in this section authorizes any local government to waive, amend, provide exceptions to, or otherwise modify or alter any ordinance:
(a)
Which is expressly required to implement or enforce any statutory provision or the legislative intent thereof;
(b)
Which is designed to protect persons against discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, handicap, or marital status; or
(c)
The waiver, amendment, or modification of which is likely to present a significant risk to the public health, public safety, or the environment of the state.
(3)
The waiver, amendment, or modification of any ordinance pursuant to this section shall be accomplished in accordance with the provisions of chapter 120.
(4)
The provisions of this section shall not supersede any provision of chapter 163.
F.S. 290.0401 Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program Act; short title.
Sections 290.0401-290.048 may be cited as the “Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program Act.”
F.S. 290.0411 Legislative intent and purpose of ss. 290.0401-290.048.
It is the intent of the Legislature to provide the necessary means to develop, preserve, redevelop, and revitalize Florida communities exhibiting signs of decline, distress, or economic need by enabling local governments to undertake the necessary community and economic development programs. The overall objective is to create viable communities by eliminating slum and blight, fortifying communities in urgent need, providing decent housing and suitable living environments, and expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low or moderate income. The purpose of ss. 290.0401-290.048 is to assist local governments in carrying out effective community and economic development and project planning and design activities to arrest and reverse community decline and restore community vitality. Community and economic development and project planning activities to maintain viable communities, revitalize existing communities, expand economic development and employment opportunities, and improve housing conditions and expand housing opportunities, providing direct benefit to persons of low or moderate income, are the primary purposes of ss. 290.0401-290.048. The Legislature, therefore, declares that the development, redevelopment, preservation, and revitalization of communities in this state and all the purposes of ss. 290.0401-290.048 are public purposes for which public money may be borrowed, expended, loaned, pledged to guarantee loans, and granted.
F.S. 290.0455 Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Loan Guarantee Program; Section 108 loan guarantees.
(1)
The Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Loan Guarantee Program is created. The department shall administer the loan guarantee program pursuant to Section 108 of Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, and as further amended by s. 910 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act. The purpose of the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Loan Guarantee Program is to guarantee, or to make commitments to guarantee, notes or other obligations issued by public entities for the purposes of financing activities enumerated in 24 C.F.R. s. 570.703.
(2)
Activities assisted under the loan guarantee program must meet the requirements contained in 24 C.F.R. ss. 570.700-570.710 and may not otherwise be financed in whole or in part from the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program.
(3)
The department may pledge existing revenues on deposit or future revenues projected to be available for deposit in the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program in order to guarantee the payment of principal and interest on a Section 108 loan.
(4)
An applicant approved by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to receive a Section 108 loan shall enter into an agreement with the Department of Commerce which requires the applicant to pledge half of the amount necessary to guarantee the loan in the event of default.
(5)
The department shall review all Section 108 loan applications that it receives from local governments. The department shall review the applications in the order received, subject to a determination by the department that each application meets all eligibility requirements contained in 24 C.F.R. ss. 570.700-570.710 and has been deemed financially feasible by a loan underwriter approved by the department. If the statewide maximum available for loan guarantee commitments established in subsection (6) has not been committed, the department may submit the Section 108 loan application to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development with a recommendation that the loan be approved, with or without conditions, or be denied.
(6)
The maximum amount of an individual loan guarantee commitment that an eligible local government may receive is limited to $5 million, and the maximum amount of loan guarantee commitments statewide may not exceed an amount equal to two times the amount of the most recent grant received by the department under the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program. The $5 million loan guarantee limit does not apply to loans guaranteed prior to July 1, 2013, that may be refinanced.
(7)
Section 108 loans guaranteed by the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program must be repaid within 20 years.
(8)
Section 108 loan applicants must demonstrate to the department that the applicant investigated alternative financing services and the services were unavailable or insufficient to meet the financing needs of the proposed activity.
(9)
If a local government defaults on a Section 108 loan received from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and guaranteed through the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program, thereby requiring the department to reduce its annual grant award in order to pay the annual debt service on the loan, any future community development block grants that the local government receives must be reduced in an amount equal to the amount of the state’s grant award used in payment of debt service on the loan.
(10)
If a local government receives a Section 108 loan guaranteed through the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program and is granted entitlement community status as defined in subpart D of 24 C.F.R. part 570 by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development before paying the loan in full, the local government must pledge its community development block grant entitlement allocation as a guarantee of its previous loan and request that the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development release the department as guarantor of the loan.
F.S. 290.0475 Rejection of grant applications; penalties for failure to meet application conditions.
Applications are ineligible for funding if any of the following circumstances arise:
(1)
The application is not received by the department by the application deadline;
(2)
The proposed project does not meet one of the three national objectives as contained in federal and state legislation;
(3)
The proposed project is not an eligible activity as contained in the federal legislation;
(4)
The application is not consistent with the local government’s comprehensive plan adopted pursuant to s. 163.3184;
(5)
The applicant has an open community development block grant, except as provided in s. 290.046(2)(a)-(c) and department rules;
(6)
The local government is not in compliance with the citizen participation requirements prescribed in ss. 104(a)(1) and (2) and 106(d)(5)(c) of Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, s. 290.046(4), and department rules; or
(7)
Any information provided in the application that affects eligibility or scoring is found to have been misrepresented, and the information is not a mathematical error which may be discovered and corrected by readily computing available numbers or formulas provided in the application.
F.S. 290.0491 Florida Empowerment Zones.
(1)
SHORT TITLE.
—
This section may be cited as the “Florida Empowerment Zone Act.”
(2)
DEFINITIONS.
—
As used in this section, the term:
(a)
“Department” means the Department of Commerce.
(b)
“Federal Empowerment Zone Program” means the empowerment zone program established in 26 U.S.C. ss. 1391 et seq.
(c)
“Nominated area” means an area nominated for participation in the Federal Empowerment Zone Program.
(d)
“Sponsoring designee” means the lead entity that applied for and received the empowerment zone designation, but does not include other entities that joined in the application.
(3)
LEGISLATIVE INTENT.
—
The Legislature recognizes that it is in the public interest that the state create economic opportunity in poverty-stricken areas and rebuild such areas by empowering the people and communities within these areas to create jobs and opportunities. The United States Congress in 1997 provided that an additional 20 areas may be designated as federal empowerment zones by January 1, 1999, and, as such, be eligible for federal funding under the Federal Empowerment Zone Program. The Legislature seeks to promote local governments in submitting the strongest possible proposals under the Federal Empowerment Zone Program by establishing a companion state empowerment zone program.
(4)
EMPOWERMENT ZONE PROGRAM.
—
There is created an economic development program to be known as the Florida Empowerment Zone Program. The program shall exist for 10 years and, except as otherwise provided by law, be operated by the Department of Commerce in conjunction with the Federal Empowerment Zone Program.
F.S. 290.00677 Rural enterprise zones; special qualifications.
(1)
Notwithstanding the enterprise zone residency requirements set out in s. 212.096(1)(c), eligible businesses as defined in s. 212.096(1)(a) located in rural enterprise zones as defined in s. 290.004 may receive the basic minimum credit provided under s. 212.096 for creating a new job and hiring a person residing within the jurisdiction of a rural community as defined in former s. 288.106(2). All other provisions of s. 212.096, including, but not limited to, those relating to the award of enhanced credits, apply to such businesses.
(2)
Notwithstanding the enterprise zone residency requirements set out in s. 220.03(1)(q), businesses as defined in s. 220.03(1)(c) located in rural enterprise zones as defined in s. 290.004 may receive the basic minimum credit provided under s. 220.181 for creating a new job and hiring a person residing within the jurisdiction of a rural community as defined in former s. 288.106(2). All other provisions of s. 220.181, including, but not limited to, those relating to the award of enhanced credits, apply to such businesses.
F.S. 290.00710 Enterprise zone designation for the City of Lakeland.
The City of Lakeland may apply to the department for designation of one enterprise zone for an area within the City of Lakeland, which zone shall encompass an area up to 10 square miles. Notwithstanding s. 290.0065, limiting the total number of enterprise zones designated and the number of enterprise zones within a population category, the department may designate one enterprise zone under this section. The department shall establish the initial effective date of the enterprise zone designated pursuant to this section.
F.S. 290.00725 Enterprise zone designation for the City of Ocala.
The City of Ocala may apply to the department for designation of one enterprise zone for an area within the western portion of the city, which zone shall encompass an area up to 5 square miles. Notwithstanding s. 290.0065 limiting the total number of enterprise zones designated and the number of enterprise zones within a population category, the department may designate one enterprise zone under this section. The department shall establish the initial effective date of the enterprise zone designated under this section.
F.S. 290.00726 Enterprise zone designation for Martin County.
Martin County may apply to the department for designation of one enterprise zone for an area within Martin County, which zone shall encompass an area of up to 10 square miles consisting of land within the primary urban services boundary and focusing on Indiantown, but excluding property owned by Florida Power and Light to the west, two areas to the north designated as estate residential, and the county-owned Timer Powers Recreational Area. Within the designated enterprise zone, Martin County shall exempt residential condominiums from benefiting from state enterprise zone incentives, unless prohibited by law. Notwithstanding s. 290.0065 limiting the total number of enterprise zones designated and the number of enterprise zones within a population category, the department may designate one enterprise zone under this section. The department shall establish the initial effective date of the enterprise zone designated under this section.
F.S. 290.00727 Enterprise zone designation for the City of Palm Bay.
The City of Palm Bay may apply to the department for designation of one enterprise zone for an area within the northeast portion of the city, which zone shall encompass an area of up to 5 square miles. Notwithstanding s. 290.0065 limiting the total number of enterprise zones designated and the number of enterprise zones within a population category, the department may designate one enterprise zone under this section. The department shall establish the initial effective date of the enterprise zone designated under this section.
F.S. 290.00728 Enterprise zone designation for Lake County.
Lake County may apply to the department for designation of one enterprise zone, which zone shall encompass an area of up to 10 square miles within Lake County. Notwithstanding s. 290.0065 limiting the total number of enterprise zones designated and the number of enterprise zones within a population category, the department may designate one enterprise zone under this section. The department shall establish the initial effective date of the enterprise zone designated under this section.
F.S. 290.00729 Enterprise zone designation for Charlotte County.
Charlotte County may apply to the Department of Commerce for designation of one enterprise zone encompassing an area not to exceed 20 square miles within Charlotte County. Notwithstanding s. 290.0065 limiting the total number of enterprise zones designated and the number of enterprise zones within a population category, the department may designate one enterprise zone under this section. The department shall establish the initial effective date of the enterprise zone designated under this section.
F.S. 290.00731 Enterprise zone designation for Citrus County.
Citrus County may apply to the department for designation of one enterprise zone for an area within Citrus County. Notwithstanding s. 290.0065 limiting the total number of enterprise zones designated and the number of enterprise zones within a population category, the department may designate one enterprise zone under this section. The department shall establish the initial effective date of the enterprise zone designated under this section.
F.S. 290.06561 Designation of rural enterprise zone as catalyst site.
Notwithstanding s. 290.0065(1), the Department of Commerce, upon request of the host county, shall designate as a rural enterprise zone any catalyst site as defined in s. 288.0656(2)(b) that was approved before January 1, 2010, and that is not located in an existing rural enterprise zone. The request from the host county must include the legal description of the catalyst site and the name and contact information for the county development authority responsible for managing the catalyst site. The designation shall provide businesses locating within the catalyst site the same eligibility for economic incentives and other benefits of a rural enterprise zone designated under s. 290.0065. The reporting criteria for a catalyst site designated as a rural enterprise zone under this section are the same as for other rural enterprise zones. Host county development authorities may enter into memoranda of agreement, as necessary, to coordinate their efforts to implement this section.
Source: FL Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/Chapter290/AllFetched: 7/8/2026