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REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS <br /> AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT <br /> DATE: October 6, 2015 Re: Comm. No. 471/Res. No. 283-15 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> Hilo, Hawai`i <br /> TIME: 1:52 p.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawai`i County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Governmental Relations and Economic Development, to which was referred <br /> Resolution No. 283-15, reports as follows: <br /> Resolution No. 283-15, transmitted by Council Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi, via <br /> Communication No. 471, dated September 17, 2015, requests the Governor to designate four <br /> new Enterprise Zones in Hawai`i County, which would provide tax incentives intended to foster <br /> economic development and generate employment. The proposed designations are Hamakua, <br /> Hilo-Puna, Kona, and Ka`u. <br /> There was one person in Kona who testified in support of this resolution. There were no other <br /> testifiers at the other sites. <br /> With the assistance of Economic Development Specialist Jane Horike and Deputy Director Donn <br /> Mende from County Department of Research and Development, the State Department of <br /> Business, Economic Development and Tourism "DBEDT" conducted a PowerPoint presentation <br /> on Enterprise Zones via videoconference from Honolulu. Attending from Honolulu were the <br /> following: <br /> Mark Ritchie, Branch Chief Business Support Branch <br /> Wayne Thom, Community Economic Development Manager <br /> Dennis Kim, Planning and Policy Analyst <br /> Mark Yee, Attorney in the Department of Taxation <br /> Margaret Ahn, State Attorney General <br /> Council Members Poindexter and Wille, whom are both in support of this resolution, expressed <br /> their thoughts regarding conservation lands, taxes, and employment/labor. <br /> Council Member Chung asked for supporting data that would show if this program is successful. <br /> Ms. Horike handed-out a document entitled "About Enterprise Zones" (Comm. 471.2). <br /> Ms. Horike stated in her opinion that the program is beneficial to businesses and Mr. Mende <br /> agreed. <br /> All Council Members were in support of this resolution. <br /> GREDC Rept. No.: 2 <br />