(BENTON, IL) — The Benton City Council Monday night approved an intergovernmental agreement with West City, West Frankfort and Franklin County regarding the new enterprise zone. The council also approved an ordinance designating the new enterprise zone and a resolution for the city to be involved in the enterprise zone. Leaders in West City recently approved the same items regarding the enterprise zone and approved a tax abatement for developments within the zone at a special meeting Monday night. The mission of the enterprise zone will be to create and retain jobs and spark investments within this area. Moran Economic Development of Edwardsville is working on the application for the enterprise zone. It must be in the state’s hands by the end of this month. A decision regarding the enterprise zone will come from the state in September of next year.