Harbor Gateway is seeking EZ status to attract business and help create jobs for the unemployed.  “It would be a significant benefit to businesses,” said Bill Johnson, manager of the Los Angeles County Economic Redevelopment Division.

Given the current EZ debates, it is critical to highlight the requirements to become an EZ.  As the article states, “To qualify, the area must have a high unemployment rate and a high volume of low-income residents.”  Enterprise Zones are built around areas of high unemployment and low income residents.  Only those areas can even apply for one of the limited number of EZs.  The subsequent business build up directly benefits the less fortunate.   Union leaders now characterize the EZ program as a tax loophole, even though the EZ program directly benefits the workers the unions claim to defend.

The full article can be read here.