 The Renewal Communities (RCs), Empowerment Zones (EZs) and Enterprise Communities (ECs) are highly distressed urban and rural communities that may be eligible for a combination of grants, tax credits for businesses, bonding authority and other benefits.Highly distressed refers to communities who have experienced poverty and/or high emigration based upon definitions in the law.These designations, RCs, EZs and ECs were awarded in three competitions since 1994.