About Us

About Us

On January 21, 2002 the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development designated 15 census tracts in the Cities of Little Rock and North Little Rock as an Empowerment Zone.

The Empowerment Zone reflects the areas in Pulaski County which have the greatest need and which offer the best utilization of tax incentives to stimulate business growth. The Empowerment Zone we envision will not only create economic opportunities but also generate jobs and hope for many Pulaski County residents. We estimate that the total impact of the 8-year designation will be in excess of $300 million dollars.

This designation brings with it significant federal tax incentives to promote economic development and create jobs. It includes many of the areas within the County that have been targeted for significant redevelopment, and it will help the County continue to focus and advance its economic development efforts. For a more thorough explanation of the Empowerment Zone Tax Incentives, you may wish to view the Tax Incentive Guide and IRS Publication 954.

Your business is eligible to take advantage of many of the Empowerment Zone tax incentives if you are located in one of the 15 Empowerment Zone Census Tracts. Check our Empowerment Zone Map, or check your address at the HUD Address Locator.. Simply type in your address and zip code and push "go" and the system will tell you if you are in the Pulaski Empowerment Zone.

We want to take this opportunity to thank all of those who worked so diligently to put together our successful application. Our success was the result of a public process that involved hundreds of community participants in a series of public meetings. These community volunteers gave us their vision for what Central Arkansas can - and will - become!

The Empowerment Zone Initiative is a program of the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Community Planning and Development. To learn more about HUD and the Empowerment Zone Initiative,  click here..