Empowerment Zone Information
Properties located at odd number addresses on Girard Avenue from 2 to 536 Girard Avenue are located within the American Street Empowerment Zone. Properties located from 600 to 1834 Girard Avenue (both sides of the street) are located within the North Central Empowerment Zone.

Empowerment Zone Mission Statement
The Philadelphia Empowerment Zone (EZ) is a community development and economic revitalization program, created federally and guided locally. The EZ guides and funds the implementation of strategies and programs that improve public safety, advance human development, create a welcoming environment, and invigorate commerce. Collaborating with neighborhood planning boards, community based organizations, businesses, and City agencies, the EZ works to achieve a common vision built upon each neighborhood's strengths. The Philadelphia Empowerment Zone's vision is to create vibrant communities in three designated neighborhoods.

Empowerment Zone Objectives
The Empowerment Zone seeks to attract business and employment opportunities to the once industry-rich areas of American Street, North and West Philadelphia, while creating jobs and sustainable social programs for community residents. The ultimate goal of the Empowerment Zone is to increase commerce, public safety, health and human services and community capacity.

More information on the Empowerment Zone is available at the Empowerment Zone's web site.

Renewal Community
Properties located on both sides of Girard Avenue from 19th Street to 33rd Street are located within the Philadelphia Renewal Community.

The Renewal Community is a federal tax incentive program available to qualified business owners, developers and investors. The incentives include the Commercial Revitalization Deduction (or CRD, an accelerated depreciation on the cost of building improvements or new construction), employment credits, increased Section 179 deductions, and a zero percent capital gains rate for qualified businesses. The incentives, in place since 2002, will run through 2009. Except for the Commercial Revitalization Deduction, all incentives are retroactive to 2002.

The Philadelphia Renewal Community covers significant parts of North, South and West Philadelphia. It also includes the southern waterfront (from Reed Street to the Schuylkill River), and the Philadelphia International Airport and its surrounding hotels, office parks, and manufacturing locations. Click here for a map of the Philadelphia Renewal Community.

The Renewal Community Program is another tool to help stimulate new investment in the city and to expand employment. Benefits for those who use the incentives, especially coupled with other city, state and federal incentives, can be substantial. For further information about the program, call the Renewal Community office at 215-683-2025.

More information on the Renewal Community is available at the Renewal Community's web site.
Updated 02.02.06