Government intends to create three new Economic Empowerment Zones (EEZs) in Pembroke, Economy Minister Patrice Minors announced yesterday.Among the new proposed EEZs are:l The Middletown EEZ between Happy Valley Road and Parsons Road,l The Northeast Hamilton EEZ between Woodlands Road and Cedar Avenue north of Canal Road and Laffan Street,l The North Village EEZ between Marsh Folly Road and North Shore Road.Ms Minors said that in addition to creating the three new EEZs, Government and the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) plan to expand the borders of the existing North Hamilton EEZ to the west and south, including the entirety of Court Street.Collectively, Ms Minors said the zones will be referred to as the Greater Pembroke EEZs, and will offer incentives to more than 130 businesses not currently not covered by the initiative.Qualified businesses within the new boundaries will be eligible to receive small business grants, business loans, customs duty deferment and payroll tax concessions.Ms Minors said that a 2007 analysis intended to create a land use plan for Northeast Hamilton, similarities were found between the area and the surrounding areas stretching from Montpelier Road to Woodlands Road.“The Design Roundtable raised concerns that upon legally establishing the Northeast Hamilton EEZ, those areas that fell outside of the EEZ boundary would immediately not be able to take advantage of any EEZ incentives and aid by virtue of the boundary,” she said.“They noted that the businesses in the outlying areas had similar socio-economic and environmental issues that affected businesses in Northeast Hamilton.”She noted that of the many of the businesses surveyed did not have a business plan, had not prepared current financial statements, and had accounts receivable more than four months old.“The financial state of these businesses indicates room for improvement and areas where Government policies and programmes could assist,” Ms Minors said.“Through the EEZs, this Government intends to continue to stand up for Bermudians by identifying and solving problems.“Today exemplifies the sure and steady progress that is being made to even the economic playing field among all businesses in Bermuda.”Ms Minors also noted that the EEZ designations have a lifespan of ten years and are evaluated after five years. The evaluation for the Northeast Hamilton EEZ is set to take place next April.Erica Smith, director of the Economic Empowerment Zones Agency, said that the zones already established have had a positive effect on the communities. She noted that 70 percent of the businesses who received business grants through the agency are still in operation.Terrance Douglas, of Unlimited Supplies, said be believes that the incentives offered to businesses in the EEZ will help support medium and small businesses through hard economic times.“The marketing part is very important because there are a lot of initiatives in these zones that help these areas,” he said.The One Bermuda Alliance has also said that they intend to expand the Northeast Hamilton EEZ if elected.