Somerset Village could soon become the Island's second economic empowerment zone (EEZ).

This is according to PLP backbencher Dennis Lister of Sandys North Central.

The Economic Empowerment Zones Agency surveyed area business owners and residents last year to discover whether they were in support of the idea.

Government also discussed the creation of an EEZ similar to the one in North Hamilton with the west end division of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Lister said.

On a walk around Somerset Village with the PLP MP he pointed out several revamped buildings and how they could be given another step up with special zoning permits.

He believes the increase in business might also help stop the traffic that now speeds through Somerset Village on its way to Dockyard.

"As I look down here all these buildings are refurbishing," he said, pointing to various businesses. "The green building was a shoe repair place. I used to wear down my heels canvassing so I would bring them here. I'm sad to see that go.

"But now businesses are coming in. All three businesses on this street are heading in. They have new owners and are revitalising it.

"My view is it's comforting coming back into the village and bringing some life back into the village. We have a good strong community around here. We have just got to bring the business to them.

"That's what we are seeing here today. A lot of this is happening now from here to Dockyard in the last two years."

Mr. Lister said it's part of a general rebranding of the area which started three years ago when the Royal Naval Field was renamed Warren Simmons Community Field.

The late Mr. Simmons was a community stalwart a longtime Somerset Cricket Club member and cricket captain.

The grandfather of Government MP Randy Horton, he was also a successful businessman.

Plans to create an EEZ at the west end have been well received by businesses.

"It's still in the early stages," said Rotimi Martins, co-owner of Caesar's Pharmacy. "There was a community meeting early this year. We are looking forward to it because right now tourists are driving by, to Dockyard.

"Most of the businesses here are community-based while the Dockyard shops are mostly tourist-based."

The hope is that the establishment of an EEZ will encourage new business as well, Mr. Lister said.

"A lot of energy was directed towards revitalising Dockyard after it was abandoned. Businesses were encouraged to go out to Dockyard.

"It was positive for Dockyard, but it's now about how to generate that for the village here. Now we are trying to revitalise the community so it's not just an area to push through, but to come into.

"The answer is up to the entrepreneurial spirit."

One new business is a Western Union branch started by Alvin Wilson. The business rents space in a building co-owned by Richard Bascome.

Mr. Bascome's family owns a farm in the area. He previously ran a hardware store in the building however there was a change in the focus of the family business. As a result, Mr. Bascome and his co-owners decided to rent the building out.

"We hoped that someone would take it [the hardware store] but I guess with the climate it wasn't possible," he said. "Mr. Wilson thought that would be a good instrument for the area."