HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP GREDC 002 2015/10/06 (2014-2016) REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
DATE: October 6, 2015 Re: Comm. No. 471/Res. No. 283-15
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawai`i
TIME: 1:52 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Governmental Relations and Economic Development, to which was referred
Resolution No. 283-15, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 283-15, transmitted by Council Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi, via
Communication No. 471, dated September 17, 2015, requests the Governor to designate four
new Enterprise Zones in Hawai`i County, which would provide tax incentives intended to foster
economic development and generate employment. The proposed designations are Hamakua,
Hilo-Puna, Kona, and Ka`u.
There was one person in Kona who testified in support of this resolution. There were no other
testifiers at the other sites.
With the assistance of Economic Development Specialist Jane Horike and Deputy Director Donn
Mende from County Department of Research and Development, the State Department of
Business, Economic Development and Tourism "DBEDT" conducted a PowerPoint presentation
on Enterprise Zones via videoconference from Honolulu. Attending from Honolulu were the
following:
Mark Ritchie, Branch Chief Business Support Branch
Wayne Thom, Community Economic Development Manager
Dennis Kim, Planning and Policy Analyst
Mark Yee, Attorney in the Department of Taxation
Margaret Ahn, State Attorney General
Council Members Poindexter and Wille, whom are both in support of this resolution, expressed
their thoughts regarding conservation lands, taxes, and employment/labor.
Council Member Chung asked for supporting data that would show if this program is successful.
Ms. Horike handed-out a document entitled "About Enterprise Zones" (Comm. 471.2).
Ms. Horike stated in her opinion that the program is beneficial to businesses and Mr. Mende
agreed.
All Council Members were in support of this resolution.
GREDC Rept. No.: 2
GREDC-2 Page 2 October 6, 2015
Your Committee on Governmental Relations and Economic Development is in accord with the
purposed and intent of Resolution No. 283-15, and recommends its adoption.
de
AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
CHUNG X
DAVID x COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL
EOFF x RELATIONS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ILAGAN X
KANUHA X 1)(..\;164,7_
ONISHI X
PALEKA x DENNIS "FRESH" ONISHI, CHAIR
POINDEXTER X GREDC REPORT NO.: 2
WILLE x ADOPTED: NOV 0 3 2015