560.71(1)(b)
(b) The department has evaluated the local governing body's application as described in
s. 560.725.
560.71(1)(e)
(e) The department determines all of the following:
560.71(1)(e)1.
1. That designation of the area as a development zone will serve a public purpose.
560.71(1)(e)2.
2. That designation of the area as a development zone will likely retain or increase employment in the area.
560.71(1)(e)3.
3. That economic development in the area is not likely to occur or continue without the department's designation of the area as a development zone.
560.71(1)(e)4.
4. That the area meets at least 3 of the following criteria:
560.71(1)(e)4.a.
a. The unemployment rate in the area is higher than the state average for the 18 months immediately preceding the date on which the application under
s. 560.72 (2) or
(3) was submitted to the department.
560.71(1)(e)4.b.
b. The percentage of persons residing in the area who are members of households with household income levels at or below 80% of the statewide median household income is higher than the state average.
560.71(1)(e)4.c.
c. The percentage of households in the area receiving unemployment insurance under
ch. 108, relief funded by a relief block grant under
ch. 49 or aid to families with dependent children under
s. 49.19 is higher than the state average.
560.71(1)(e)4.d.
d. In the 36 months immediately preceding the date on which the application under
s. 560.72 (2) or
(3) was submitted to the department, a number of workers in the area were permanently laid off by their employer or became unemployed as a result of a business action subject to
s. 109.07 (1m).
560.71(1)(e)4.e.
e. An employer in the vicinity of the area has given public notice under
s. 109.07 (1m) of either a business closing or a mass layoff of at least 25 employees, or 25% of the employees, of a business, whichever is greater, that will result in a number of workers in the area being laid off permanently.
560.71(1m)
(1m) In making a determination under
sub. (1) (e), the department shall consider all of the following:
560.71(1m)(a)
(a) The extent of poverty, unemployment or other factors contributing to general economic hardship in the area.
560.71(1m)(b)
(b) The prospects for new investment and economic development in the area.
560.71(1m)(c)
(c) The amount of investment that is likely to result from the designation of the area as a development zone.
560.71(1m)(d)
(d) The number of full-time jobs that are likely to be created or retained in the area as a result of its designation as a development zone.
560.71(1m)(e)
(e) The number of full-time jobs that are likely to be available to the target population as a result of the designation of the area as a development zone.
560.71(1m)(f)
(f) The competitive effect of designating the area as a development zone on other businesses in the vicinity of the area.
560.71(1m)(h)
(h) Any other factors that the department considers relevant.
560.71(2)
(2) In determining whether an area meets the requirements under
sub. (1) (e) or
s. 560.735, the department may rely on any data provided by the local governing body which the department determines is relevant.
560.71(3)
(3) The department shall do all of the following:
560.71(3)(a)
(a) Determine the number of development zones designated under
sub. (1) but may not designate more than 22 development zones over the life of the program.
560.71(3)(b)
(b) Divide the number of development zones as evenly as possible between metropolitan statistical areas and areas that are not metropolitan statistical areas.