HB 65 -- Rural Empowerment Zone Criteria Sponsor: Wilson (119) Currently, rural empowerment zones are only allowed to exist in Hickory County, which has a population of 8,940 residents. This bill allows these zones to exist in any county with 18,000 or fewer residents, which includes 56 counties. The bill also prohibits more than two rural empowerment zones in any county.Copyright (c) Missouri House of Representatives