Enterprise Zone Brief

November 2, 2007

The enterprise zone concept was developed in England in the 1970s as a tool for economic revitalization in distressed areas. Since the arrival of the program in the United States, 43 states have enacted enterprise zones in some form. Most assessments of these programs have not been rigorous, making it difficult to measure and quantify zone effectiveness. Evaluations frequently report negligible impact of zone incentives on program goals, such as employment and investment. This report begins with a brief history of enterprise zones and notable trends in incentives and zone management. Also presented is a census of general program information for each state with enterprise zones. Multi-state studies are then reviewed to identify best practices. Finally, four case studies are provided to offer a more detailed look at programs with lessons applicable to Wisconsin.