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City Responses to questions about CTEC "by va.zl'~ tb. V.£c~oz:y Gazda. are. øot J.ncluclad 111 tll. proce.. o~ dete.&'JÚn1ng .tlMt bteZ'pr.£.. ~OIIe1 rtby va. tile are. take,ø ~or granted and tbe people not J.n~oZ'l88d1 The City of S~n Marcos became interested in the Enterprise Zone program because of ~he possible benefits this state prograœ can provide to a community and its residents. City staff got information about the program in January from the Texas Department of Commerce and began a study to see if areas of San Marcos might qualify. The Victory Gardens neighborhood met the criteria contained in the requirements. These criteria include: 1. Unemployment levels. 2. Low income levels as contained in the 1980 Census. If San Marcos receives the Enterprise Zone designation, the ONLY affect on Victory Gardens residents will be new job opportunities. There are no adver~e i~aot~ on the nei~hhorhood of hein~ a pa~ of an Enterprise Zone, The goal of this program is to preserve and maintain the integrity of neighborhoods through new job opportunities for residents. The residents of Victory Gardens have not been left out of the process. After the initial study by City staff, public hearings were held on Feb. 19 and Feb. 28 to present information and receive public comment regarding the program. In addition, City Council members and staff met with County Commissioner Ralph Gonzales and Robert Martinez of TACC on March 21 to answer questions about the Enterprise Zone program. Other conversations have been held with neighborhood residents, Council members and staff since then. It is important to note that the City's application for the i:ntexprise Zone designation has not yet been sent to the Department of CODIIII8rce. We are still. in the planning stages for the application. ne City staff is ready and willing to answer any questions related to the this program. The proposed Enterprise Zone includes not only Victory Gardens, but other areas along IH 35 which have existing business and industry and are suitable for possible new business and industrial developments. If the City gains the Enterprise Zone designation, businesses within the zone are eligible to request local sales tax incentives, in addition to certain state incentives, through negotiations with the City Council on a case by case basis. Such businesses must meet criteria such as: 1. Hiring a certain number of qualified employees from among residents in the Victory Gardens neighborhood or low income residents of San Marcos. 2. Other criteria as set by the City Council. Again, the application for this Enterprise Zone designation is still pending. The City is receptive to any further questions about the program and will be willing to meet with residents of Victory Gardens to answer any concerns.