Assembly OKs bill to add Atlantic City to enterprise zones

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) -- The New Jersey Assembly has approved legislation to add Atlantic City to the state's Urban Enterprise Zone project, enabling it to charge half the state sales tax and qualify for other economic incentives.

Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo says his bill would add Atlantic City to the program for 10 years. Atlantic City would be the 33rd such zone created in New Jersey.

Businesses in the zones can charge 3.5 percent sales tax, and qualify for tax credits of $1,500 for each new full-time worker they hire.

The program was created in 1983, and 6,800 businesses participate in it. Mazzeo says it's a way to help the struggling seaside resort, where four of the 12 casinos closed last year.

The bill now goes to the state Senate.

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