How does the zones program fit within the economic development efforts of the various States?
The zones program is a federal program. The underlying authority to approve the creation of a foreign-trade zone resides with the federal government. However, every state has enabling legislating providing statutory authority for the establishment of FTZs in each state. The creation and development of individual zone projects typically results from a combination of interests generated by both the private and public sectors. The Foreign-Trade Zone Board Staff advises zone organizers to integrate the zone project into the state or local area’s overall economic development strategy rather than segmenting the zone as an individual development effort. This way, FTZs complement other state and local incentives that are incorporated into the overall efforts of a community to maintain their attractiveness as a business location.
