HB 1254 -- Rural Empowerment Zones Sponsor: Wilson (119) Currently, up to two rural empowerment zones are allowed to exist in Hickory County, which has a population of 8,940 residents. This bill allows a rural empowerment zone to exist in any county with 20,000 or fewer residents, which includes 61 counties, but prohibits more than one zone in any county.Copyright (c) Missouri House of Representatives