[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 153 (Wednesday, November 3, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        EMPOWERMENT ZONES/ENTERPRISE COMMUNITIES ENHANCEMENT ACT

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                           HON. EARL POMEROY

                            of north dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 3, 1999

  Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to indicate my intent to 
cosponsor H.R. 2170, the Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities 
Enhancement Act of 1999. The bill is an important step toward 
fulfilling the promise made to areas designated as Round II Empowerment 
Zones and Enterprise Communities.
  I strongly support the concept of Empowerment Zones/Enterprise 
Communities. Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities are designed 
to reverse the downward economic trends in urban and rural areas alike. 
Through the utilization of tax credits and social service credits, 
designated areas are able to undertake initiatives to spur long-term 
economic revitalization. In my state of North Dakota, the Griggs/Steele 
Empowerment Zone in eastern North Dakota was designated last year as a 
Round II Empowerment Zone. At that time, a commitment was made by the 
federal government to assist this area and others in creating jobs and 
economic opportunity. However, Round II Empowerment Zones and 
Enterprise Communities have yet to be fully funded, and as a result, 
these designated areas have been unable to reach their fullest 
potential.
  I believe we have the responsibility to fulfill the commitment by 
fully funding Round II Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities. 
Even though I have concerns about the differences in funding levels 
between rural and urban Empowerment Zones, I believe we must move 
forward to provide these areas with the needed assistance to accomplish 
economic revitalization. However, I hope that as this legislation moves 
forward we can address the differences in funding between rural and 
urban areas to ensure each area is provided with the resources 
necessary to accomplish the economic revitalization the federal 
government promised.

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