The office shall:

1. (1) monitor the implementation and operation of this part and conduct a continuing evaluation of the progress made in the enterprise zones;
2. (2) evaluate an application for designation as an enterprise zone from a county applicant or a municipal applicant and determine if the applicant qualifies for that designation;
3. (3) provide technical assistance to county applicants and municipal applicants in developing applications for designation as enterprise zones;
4. (4) assist county applicants and municipal applicants designated as enterprise zones in obtaining assistance from the federal government and agencies of the state;
5. (5) assist a qualified business entity in obtaining the benefits of an incentive or inducement program authorized by this part; and

6. (6) as part of the annual written report described in Section 63N-1a-306, prepare an annual evaluation that provides:

   1. (a) based on data from the State Tax Commission, the total amount of tax credits claimed under this part;
   2. (b) the total amount awarded in tax credits for each development zone;
   3. (c) the number of new full-time employee positions reported to obtain tax credits in each development zone;
   4. (d) the amount of tax credits awarded for rehabilitating a building in each development zone;
   5. (e) the amount of tax credits awarded for investing in a plant, equipment, or other depreciable property in each development zone; and
   6. (f) recommendations regarding the effectiveness of the program and any suggestions for legislation.

Amended by Chapter 282, 2021 General Session