HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP HSEDC 006 08/18/1998 1996-1998 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
DATE: August 18, 1998 Re: Comm. No. 927/Res. 297-98
PLACE: Councilroom
TIME: 1:00 P.M.
Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Human Services & Economic Development, to which was referred
Communication No. 927/Res. 297-98, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 297-98, transmitted by Councilmember Dominic Yagong, via Communication
No. 927, dated July 22, 1998, directs the County of Hawaii to make an application to the
Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism of the State of Hawaii to expand
the present Hamakua Enterprise Zone, which was approved by the State of Hawaii on October
17, 1994, to include the portion of census tracts 219.00 (Honokaa-Kukuihaele) and 221.00
(North Hilo), as described in the proposed new boundazies attached to this resolution as Exhibit
"A" and as shown on maps attached to this resolution as Exhibit "B," both exhibits being
incorporated into this resolution by reference; and directs the Clerk of the County of Hawaii to 0
transmit certified copies of this resolution to the Mayor of the County of Hawaii, the Director of
the Department of Business; Economic Development and Tourism, and to the Governor of
Hawaii.
Howard Nakamura of the County Research and Development Department provided an overview
of the Hawaii Enterprise Zone program, eligibility and hiring requirements for participating
businesses, and tax incentive benefits provided by the state and county, respectively. He
reported that five enterprise zones have been designated on the Big Island to date, with
twenty-two businesses generating employment for 105 employees county-wide. Seven of these
businesses with a total of 49 employees aze presently in the Hamakua Enterprise Zone. In reply
to a question from Councilmember Curtis Tyler, he noted that enterprise zones may expand or
contract. He explained that outreach and marketing of the enterprise zone program is conducted
by workshops, issuance of press releases and letters to qualified applicants. Committee Chair
John Ray proposed that a community mailing list developed by council staff be shared with the
Department of Reseazch and Development to support its marketing initiatives.
Councilmember Yagong thanked the Department of Reseazch and Development for its assistance
in drafting Resolution 297-98. He noted that current labor force unemployment data and
contiguous census tract boundaries appeaz to satisfy the requirements for enterprise zone
designation and expansion. He noted that a letter dated August 12, 1)98 from Jill Andrade,
Manager, J.J. Andrade Slaughterhouse, Inc. expressed strong support for enterprise zone
expansion, and further observed that expanding dairy farming operations by Island Dairy on
some 2,000 acres of land in Ookala leased from the State of Hawaii point to a promising future
for business development and job creation in the Hamakua district.
Your Committee on Human Services and Economic Development is in accord with the purpose
and intent of Resolution No 297-98 and recommends its adoption.
rf
Ayes Noes A&E EX
RAY X Respectfully submitted
vncoNC X COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES &
cxuNC X ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
LEITHEAD-TODD X
SANTANGELO X P
SMITH X
TYLER X JOHN RA > CHAIR
ARAKAKI, E.O.M. X HSEDC REPORT NO 6
ADOPTED: SEP ~ 2