The Washington State Community Empowerment Zone Program is a competitive program intended to spur neighborhood revitalization and reinvestment. To receive state CEZ designation, the six eligible jurisdictions identified target neighborhoods, undertook a planning and public involvement process, and adopted a five-year plan to guide resource investments.

 The CEZ designation enables qualified businesses to apply to the Department of Revenue for sales tax deferrals and business and occupation tax credits for a variety of projects. The statutory authority for the Community Empowerment Zone Program is found in Chapter 43.31C of the Revised Code of Washington.

Existing state CEZs are located in:

• Bremerton
• Seattle
• Spokane
• Tacoma
• King County (White Center neighborhood)
• Yakima

For more information about the state CEZ Program, contact:  Barbara Yake at barbara.yake@commerce.wa.gov.  For information about state CEZ business incentives, visit the Washington State Department of Revenue (DOR) or visit the following specific DOR sites:

• Tax Deferrals, Exemptions and Credits
• Q & A about the International Services Districts Business and Occupation Tax Credit
• Distressed Area Sales/Use Tax Deferral Program
• Distressed Area Business and Occupation Tax Credit for New Employees

CEZ Maps:

• Map of King County-White Center CEZ and South Seattle-Duwamish CEZ
• Map of Tacoma CEZ
• Map of Yakima CEZ
• Map of Bremerton CEZ (p.5)
• Map of Spokane CEZ

Links to local CEZs:

• Seattle
• Tacoma
• Bremerton
• King County
• City of Yakima
• City of Spokane