41-1523 - Arizona Statutes

41-1523. Qualifying criteria for enterprise zones (Rpld. 7/1/11) A. An area may be designated an enterprise zone if it meets either of the following requirements: 1. The average annual unemployment rate in the area, or within a reasonable proximity of the area, in the preceding two years as determined by the department of economic security was at least one hundred fifty per cent of the average annual statewide unemployment rate for the same period of time. 2. The poverty rate in the area, or within a reasonable proximity of the area, is at least one hundred fifty per cent of the statewide poverty rate according to the most recent United States decennial census. B. In addition to the requirements of subsection A: 1. A specific area of a county may be designated an enterprise zone, or an entire county having a population of less than five hundred thousand persons, according to the most recent United States decennial census preceding designation or renewal, may be designated an enterprise zone. 2. The proposed enterprise zone must include a geographical area of at least one-fourth square mile and have a population of at least one thousand persons. 3. An enterprise zone may not include any noncontiguous territory, and a county, city or town shall not establish an enterprise zone that surrounds an area that is not part of the enterprise zone. 4. An enterprise zone shall not include territory in more than one county or any portion of two or more counties. 5. The boundaries of an enterprise zone shall be based on historic community or neighborhood identity and may also use United States census geographical units, political subdivisions, Indian reservations, incorporated cities or towns or county boundaries.