An act bringing in payroll tax breaks for businesses in North Hamilton was passed at the Senate yesterday in a bid to spread wealth opportunities to those previously marginalised in the economy.

But United Bermuda Party Sen. Bob Richards questioned why it had taken nine years for the Progressive Labour Party Government to create an economic empowerment zone when the UBP had talked of it since the last election.

Sen. Kim Wilson tabled the Economic Development Order which will set up Bermuda’s first economic empowerment zone will be able to enjoy the lowest rate of payroll tax available.

Businesses in the area - bordered by Cedar Avenue to the west, the Pembroke Canal to the north, King Street to the east and Victoria Street to the south - are already able to get preferential borrowing rates from lending institutions, tax incentives and other forms of development incentives.

Within the zone are 100 businesses, 350 households, 20 civic establishments including churches and government offices and 900 people.

She explained that the Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation has worked with the Uptown Market Association to curb drugs and spruce up the neighbourhood.

And a design roundtable has worked on a draft plan which will go hand in hand with City of Hamilton plans.

The Small Business Development Corporation, whose Government grant has been doubled to $3 million, will provide small grants to existing and new business owners in the economic empowerment zone for business plans, financial statements and marketing and architectural plans.

Sen. Richards said he clearly remembered speaking of such a thing during his first speech as a politician in 1997 and that it was part of the UBP platform during the last two elections. He said: “It is good to see that they have taken up our idea for making Bermuda better.”

While Sen. Philip Perinchief said he found it remarkable that the UBP was taking credit when the bill was attempting to assist people constantly overlooked during their administration.