Abstract
Purpose. To determine perceptions of success achieved to date from the Southern Nevada Enterprise Community (SNEC) and the City of Phoenix Enterprise Community (PEC) based on residents living inside and outside enterprise community (EC) target areas. This study specifically examined differences in perceptions between residents living within the designated target area's census tracts and residents living in adjacent outside census tracts. A program assessment was drawn comparing Southern Nevada perceptions with Phoenix. Conceptual framework. Exploration of the evolution and influence of traditional managerial thought upon economic and community development funding practices is employed in gauging the perceptions of residential and nonresidential (persons residing in adjacent outside EC census tracts) persons on EC effectiveness in terms of quality of life and positive impact to the community. Methodology. A quota sample survey instrument was designed to query residents living within the designated target area and those living in adjacent census tracts for both the SNEC and the PEC to study their overall perceptions of the federal EC program and how the program relates to contributing to the quality of life and making a positive impact to the community using four primary independent variables. Findings. EC residents and EC nonresidents exhibited significant differences in the overall perception of the federal EC program based on two primary research questions involving quality of life and positive impact resulting from EC reinvestment and economic development activities. Conclusion. Perceptions between PEC and SNEC residents and nonresidents included significant differences. Perceptions on quality of life and positive impact were most affected by whether respondents had personally benefited from an EC funded activity or program. Additional multivariate criteria and methodology are recommended for additional study.