American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

Which of the following is a key benefit offered in an enterprise zone?

1. Public transportation improvements

2. Waiving land use requirements

3. Enhanced workforce training programs

4. Increased recreational facilities

The correct answer is: Waiving land use requirements

A key benefit of an enterprise zone is the waiving of land use requirements. Enterprise zones are designated areas within a community where governments encourage economic development through various incentives for businesses. By waiving certain land use requirements, these zones aim to streamline the process for businesses to set up and expand. This flexibility can be critical in attracting small businesses and startups, which often struggle with stringent regulations that may hinder their operations or growth. The allowance to bypass these requirements can foster a more favorable business climate, enabling quicker project implementation and reducing the burden on business owners. This supportive environment is especially vital for revitalizing economically distressed areas and spurring job creation. In contrast, while improvements in public transportation, enhanced workforce training programs, and increased recreational facilities can lead to beneficial outcomes in a community, they are not direct incentives typically associated with the primary goals of enterprise zones. Instead, those initiatives could be complementary efforts but do not represent the core financial and operational incentives that enterprise zones provide to stimulate local economies.