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were created for Santa Ana residents -the City continues to monitor this project to ensure <br />the College District meets its contractual obligations. <br />Other economic development activities undertaken by the City during the 2008-2009 report <br />period (non-HUD funded) include the following: <br />^ State Enterprise Zone: The Enterprise Zone is designed to promote business growth and job <br />generation by offering tax credits. 4ualified businesses reduce State income taxes by an <br />amount equal to the amount of wages paid to qualified employees. These "hiring credits" <br />are provided to employers who hire low-wage earners, target area residents, laid-off, or <br />long-term unemployed persons. A business may earn up to $35,000 in tax credits per <br />qualified employee. A total of 3914 individuals were assisted through these efforts during <br />the 2008 - 2009 report period. Santa Ana's initial Enterprise Zone expired on June 7, 2008. <br />During the report period, the City applied to the State of California and was awarded a new <br />15-year Enterprise Zone designation effective June 8 2008. <br />^ Work/Opportunities/Resources/Knowledge (WORK) Center: A coalition comprised of the <br />City, the Workforce Investment Board of Santa Ana, the State Employment Development <br />Department, Santa Ana College, and the Orange County Social Services Agency. This <br />coalition provided free services to individuals seeking job search assistance, on-the-job <br />training, and job skills training. Services include labor market information, <br />resume/application writing assistance, job search workshops, job search assistance, and on- <br />the-job training. During the report period a different metrics for program enrolment was <br />utilized which ensured all persons utilizing the WORK center also participated in the federal <br />the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) program. Duringthe report period approximately <br />6,500 job seekers in need of training and employment services of the WORK Center/WIA. <br />^ Business Attraction/Retention: The City also provided economic opportunities for residents <br />through other programs including the Redevelopment Agency funded Business <br />Retention/Attraction program. Program staff estimates that 558 jobs were added or <br />preserved via program efforts during the 2008-2009 report period. <br />C. HUD APPROVED NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION STRATEGIES OR EZ~EC ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT <br />In January 1999, HUD designated the City of Santa Ana as a Federal Urban Empowerment Zone <br />(FEZ). The mission of the Santa Ana Empowerment Corporation (SAEC) is to build a sustainable <br />community that fosters economic opportunities for all Empowerment Zone residents and <br />businesses. <br />During the first three-years of designation, the SAEC's mission was supported by the key <br />elements outlined in its implementation plans. These elements include education, job training, <br />job placement, business development, safety, childcare, health, transportation, housing, youth <br />43 <br />Draft 8/26/2009 <br />19F-49 <br />