By Dominique Cantelme
From the March/April 2013 issue

New York State’s 54,556 square mile geography is divided into 10 economic regions (according to Empire State Development)—Western New York, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, Central New York, North Country, Mohawk Valley, Mid-Hudson, Capital District, New York City and Long Island. They encompass landscapes that range from farms, forests, rivers and lakes to mountains, towns and urban cities and a transportation infrastructure with airports, highways, waterways, subways, bridges and tunnels to help move its more than 19 million residents where they need to go.

Western New York provides both city and suburban living. Coverage of its 4,974 square miles is aided by I-90, I-86 and Route 219; Buffalo-Niagara International Airport; the Port of Buffalo; and four class I railroads (CSX, Norfolk Southern, Canadian National and Canadian Pacific). The region’s economy is particularly focused on manufacturing; it is home to a number of colleges, universities and professional schools such as SUNY College at Fredonia, University of Buffalo and Cornell University School of Industrial & Labor Relations; and offers attractions such as Allegany State Park and Ralph Wilson Stadium (NFL’s Buffalo Bills).

One of the largest tourism regions in the state, the Finger Lakes is located in the west-central section of Upstate New York and encompasses a pattern of 11 parallel lakes that include Cayuga, Owasco, Hemlock and Seneca.

Its nine counties (e.g., Genesee, Livingston, Ontario) provide scenery, history, farmlands, and museums over almost 5,000 square miles. The region is within a day’s travel of 10 of the largest cities in North America and navigated by I-90, I-390, the Greater Rochester International Airport and the Norfolk Southern Finger Lakes Railway.

The Southern Tier Region is located on the Pennsylvanian border of New York. Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Delaware, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, and Tompkins counties boast natural resources, agriculture and an educated workforce with universities that include Binghamton and Cornell and market access provided by I-81, I-86, I-88, and Route 17; three regional airports; rail service; and bus service by Greyhound, Short Line and Capitol Trailways.

The North Country is a seven county rural region that spans from the eastern shores of Lake Ontario to the western shores of Lake Champlain and houses Adirondack Park and Fort Drum. With 11,913.57 square miles, it is the largest of the regions in land area and the smallest in population. Access is provided by I-87, I-81 and Highway 401 as well as passenger air, commercial and passenger rail and port service.

The Mohawk Valley is located at the geographic center of Upstate New York and links all the major metropolitan areas together. Its 5,296.57 square miles spans six counties with numerous academic and research institutions, a highly skilled workforce and concentrations in manufacturing and IT. I-90, NYS Rt. 12 N S, I-81, I-87 and I-88 provide highway access while air service is available at the Griffiss Business and Technology Park and rail, bus and port service is available through a number of carriers and facilities.

The Mid-Hudson Region is located north of New York City and south of Albany along the Hudson River, and includes seven counties (e.g., Ulster, Dutchess, Rockland and Westchester). The 4,739.36 square miles is a mix of urban areas, waterfront cities, rural villages, farmlands and forests in the epicenter of the Boston-Washington Corridor. The region’s educated workforce, proximity to marketplace and access to water help make it a good place to do business with highways I-84, I-87, NY-17 and I-86; Stewart International Airport; the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Amtrak, CSX and Norfolk Southern rail service; and bus and port service providing transportation options.

In the eastern part of mid-New York is the Capital Region which covers 5,199 square miles and is comprised of eight counties (e.g., Albany, Columbia, Saratoga and Schenectady). It is home to the Center for Excellence in Nanoelectronics at CNSE’s Albany NanoTech and the Center for Integrated Electronics at Rensselaer as well as Skidmore College and a number of other academic institutions. The region’s transportation network consists of the New York State Thruway, I-87 and I-88; the Albany International Airport; Albany Port Railroad Corp., Amtrak, CSX and CP rail systems; and the port of Albany Rensselaer and the New York State Canal System.

The 303.32 square miles of New York City is composed of five boroughs (Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island) with more than 40 percent of the State’s population. Its more than 8,336,697 residents also make it the most populous city in the U.S. A tourist attraction in itself, NYC also includes major destinations such as the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Broadway and the Metropolitan Museum of Art and it is described as the cultural capital of the world. New York City also is the largest media market in North America and a center for the television, film, advertising, music, newspaper and book publishing industries as well as a global hub of international business and commerce.

Long Island is located at the southern tip of New York State, just east of New York City. Its 1,202.96 square miles is surrounded by Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. The region is comprised of Nassau and Suffolk counties and is known for its high quality of life as well as its geographical and industrial diversity. The Long Island Region is a magnet for commerce and industry and a world leader in technology development. Its close proximity to New York City and its access to national and international markets also make it ideal for service and manufacturing industries.

New York is home to some of the most diverse regions in the country with various people, landscapes, attractions, population sizes, land masses, and businesses. The one consistent is its propensity for economic opportunity. Banking, finance, communication, high technology, retail, manufacturing and agriculture are just some of the many industries prevalent in the Empire State. Its pro-business, pro-growth philosophy offers companies job-creating tax cuts, R&D incentives and a number of other business and financial resources along with a diverse and skilled workforce. New York provides a high quality of life for its people and offers access to various educational institutions that include public and private universities, technology colleges and graduate and professional schools for any desired trade or profession. Whether traveling by car, train, bus, boat or plane, New York can get you there.

Read on to find locations that can help your business succeed with a little bit of New York flair.

Oswego County: Active In Economic Development

Manufacturing is a strong, healthy and growing sector in Central New York’s Oswego County. Operation Oswego County, Inc. (OOC) and their partners, the County of Oswego Industrial Development Agency (COIDA), City of Oswego Community Development Office (CDO) and the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) have been very active in helping to finance manufacturing as well as commercial projects in Oswego County during 2012.

Some of these economic development projects which clearly demonstrate the diversity of business types that are being assisted in Oswego County by OOC, COIDA, CDO and ESDC include:

• Fulton Thermal Corporation, a global manufacturer of steam and hydronic boilers and thermal fluid heaters, constructed a 112,000-square-foot addition to their existing manufacturing and corporate headquarters in the Town of Richland. The new facility houses an 82,000-square-foot manufacturing building, a 10,000-square-foot research and development center and a 20,000-square-foot corporate office center. Primary funding assistance was provided by a $10 million tax-exempt bond issuance by the COIDA in cooperation with M&T Bank. The facility expansion was partly funded by an ESDC $1.5 million grant from the New York Upstate Regional Blueprint Fund. The $13.5 million project created 50 jobs.
• Stevedore Lofts, in the City of Oswego, was a waterfront renovation of a 42,000-square-foot warehousing facility into residential and commercial property. The property overlooks the Oswego River and is just a few blocks from downtown Oswego and Lake Ontario. The

$6.5 million project received funding assistance from the COIDA, the Oswego CDO and an ESDC Restore NY grant. The project created 15 jobs and added 29 market-rate apartments.

• The $6.9 million Seaway Lofts project in the City of Oswego received $1.5 million in funding from the New York State Housing Trust Fund/HOME and federal low income housing tax programs. In addition to state funds, financing from the city of Oswego Community Development Office, the County of Oswego Industrial Development Office and the Federal Home Loan Bank will be used to convert the 28,000-square-foot vacant building into affordable housing apartments. The project encompasses rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of the former Seaway Supply building into affordable workforce housing and will capture the historical features of the building while focusing on the use of energy-efficient construction techniques. It is being designed to contribute to the overall community vision for the neighborhood, including affordability and access for tenants with disabilities. Seaway Lofts is located directly across from the Varick Lock and Oswego River. The building was built in 1888, served as the home of the Brosemer Brewery and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The project will create 26 affordable-housing apartments and two jobs.
• Novelis, in the Town of Scriba, is constructing a $208 million, 180,000-square-foot expansion which adds two new high performance aluminum finishing lines for automotive industry products. These two new lines are expected to produce an additional 440 pounds of aluminum sheet per year. The project has created more than 100 new jobs and retained 651 jobs. Financing was assisted through a $5 million Empire State Development Corporation grant and funding through the County of Oswego Industrial Development Agency.
  

  United Wire Technologies in Constantia.

• Design Concepts and Enterprises, LLC, manufacturer of medical surgical sutures and suture attaching equipment, constructed a 1,634-square-foot clean room. Located in the Town of Hastings, Design Concepts sells their products in the U.S. and abroad. The $650,000 project retained six jobs and created 13 new jobs. Funding assistance was provided by the COIDA.
• After a fire destroyed their facility in the Village of Cleveland, United Wire Technologies renovated a vacant 14,000-square-foot building in the Town of Constantia. Relocating afforded them the opportunity to update and expand their facility. There is additional land adjacent to the facility onto which the company could expand further. United Wire manufactures specialty wire. The $1.4 million project retained eight jobs and will create six new jobs. Funding assistance was provided by the COIDA.

These projects represent a total investment of approximately $237 million and will create/retain 851 jobs in Oswego County. Numerous other projects are in the works and Operation Oswego County is actively engaged in assisting several manufacturing projects that are evaluating opportunities to expand in Oswego County and/or locate operations there. For more information visit www.oswegocounty.org.

Town Of Islip: A Community Of Opportunity

The Town of Islip has long been known as a leader of economic development in New York. Islip boasts the largest industrial corridor in the region, major infrastructure advantages over surrounding areas and an Industrial Development Agency (IDA) that has won renown for its continuous ability to attract new businesses. Though Islip faces many of the same challenges as other municipalities during these harsh economic times, the Town is uniquely suited for economic growth and expansion.

One of the prime reasons for Islip’s attractiveness to local, national and international businesses is the proximity these businesses have to Long Island MacArthur Airport (LIMA), which the Federal Aviation Administration has defined as being on-par with LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy Airports. Having a nationally recognized airport within Islip Town helps local companies conduct their business more effectively and efficiently. Just as MacArthur Airport helps local businesses expand, the airport itself is working to grow its presence to handle the economic demands of the future. Progress has already been made to increase the flow of business through the airport and is seen in U.S. Airway’s decision to offer daily flights to-and-from Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C.

Just next door to Long Island MacArthur Airport is Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) #52. FTZ #52 was created to help businesses with an international scope grow and thrive in Islip. These companies can utilize the FTZ’s singular economic status to avoid costs associated with importing and exporting goods with other countries. The FTZ sits at the intersection of a crucial transportation hub that features railways, highways and a commercial airport.

The Town of Islip has a proud tradition of business success, across a variety of industries. But special mention must be made toward three critical industries that have thrived within the town: technology, food distribution and pharmaceuticals. Many technology companies, spanning sectors from aerospace to telecommunications, have found a home in Islip. CMG Wireless, a company that produces goods for the telecommunications market, rapidly has expanded their operations to cope with the increase in demand for wireless technology. They have remained in Islip largely because the IDA was able to help them adapt and expand their facilities to ensure that business was uninterrupted. CPI Aero, a company that manufactures aircraft components, primarily for the U.S. military, was recently able to expand their operations to a new facility, and did so with the help of the Islip IDA.

Another recent success story has been the construction of a 420,000-square-foot facility to be operated by Sysco Inc., a food distribution company. Throughout the entire construction process, from planning, to building, to staffing, Sysco and the Town of Islip have worked together to address the needs of both the company and the community. The facility has been fully operational since the summer of 2012, and the demands of the facility already have created over 250 jobs with more to come. Throughout the entire recruitment process, SYSCO has placed a special focus on hiring from within the area. The distribution center boasts features such as a state-of-the-art hydrogen fuel station to power all of the forklifts in the facility. This project has been a model for how local governments, civic groups and businesses can work together and be proud of the finished product, which will keep all parties satisfied for years to come.

And most recently in 2012, Islip welcomed Ascent Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical manufacturer whose operations involve research, development and the manufacture, warehousing and distribution of generic prescription medicines in a wide range of therapeutic areas. With the assistance of the Islip IDA, the company, owned by InvaGen Pharmaceuticals, purchased and renovated an existing 250,000-square-foot facility for $20 million and they expect to invest another $19 million in additional equipment and research. In return for financial assistance, Ascent has pledged to hire 100 new employees immediately, another 150 in the following three years and projects to employ a total of 350 when fully operational within five years. The story of Ascent

Pharmaceuticals is another example of how a company can grow and thrive in Islip, a community that understands the dedication and commitment necessary for projects like this to come to fruition.

Through all of these developments, the Islip IDA has continuously demonstrated its ability to work with businesses to build partnerships between government, businesses and residents. As a result of its many accomplishments, the Islip IDA was named the 2011 Suffolk County IDA of the Year by the editorial staff of the Long Island Business News. Islip Town will always be committed to exploring new ways to bring jobs and opportunities to Islip, without losing their identity as a community.

For information on how your business can grow in Islip, please visit www.islipida.com.

Buffalo Niagara: Four Billion Reasons To Relocate

Between yesterday, today and what will come tomorrow, there will be $4 billion in recent, current and planned development in Buffalo, New York. These investments reflect a new spirit of collaboration through public and private partnerships that focus on creativity, flexibility and a shared vision with strategic and attainable goals for business and community development.

In the last decade the city of Buffalo experienced more than $1.5 billion in new investment. The vision of a new Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus (BNMC) focused on bioinformatics, life sciences, emerging technologies, clinical care, entrepreneurship and research has spurred critical growth. As a result, state-of-the-art, multidisciplinary facilities like the Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute; the one of a kind shared facility that boasts Kaleida Health Gates Vascular Institute, the University at Buffalo’s Clinical and Translational Research Center and the independent Jacobs Institute; and Roswell Park Cancer Institute are having a tremendous impact on the city’s economy, with more than 5,000 jobs created or relocated to this innovation hub since 2003, and another 5,000 expected in the next five years.

Today, another $1.5 billion in projects are underway on the BNMC, the central business district and Buffalo’s waterfront. These include critical components like the University at Buffalo relocating its highly ranked medical school to the BNMC. Also on the site, the new John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital has just broken ground. To support these facilities, new medical offices and other operations are growing around the campus footprint, providing essential services and business infill.

And the region’s rebirth isn’t limited to the life sciences industry. New projects also include the evolution of the region’s manufacturing base from its steel roots to clean technologies and advanced manufacturing.

Along with the remarkable investment in industry has been the tangential redevelopment of dozens of historically significant and architecturally outstanding buildings by Frank Lloyd Wright, H.H. Richardson, Louis Sullivan and Louise Blanchard Bethune, to name a few. Long overlooked and underused, today these gems are being revitalized as high-end luxury condominiums, affordable and attractive student housing, Class A office space, hotels, legal and financial services offices, high-tech incubators and shared workspace setups, restaurants, retail and more. A redevelopment strategy supporting public-private investment is being led by the Buffalo Building Reuse Plan and implemented by the Buffalo Urban Development Corporation.

Businesses opening in or relocating to Buffalo are consistently impressed by the trained and educated workforce they find. The region also offers reasonable business development costs and easy access to major markets like New York, Chicago, Boston and Toronto without the hassles or high costs of locating in major metropolitan areas. And once in Buffalo, people are amazed to discover Buffalo’s affordable housing, temperate climate and outstanding quality of life.

In the last decade, brownfield redevelopment and innovative reuse projects have resulted in renewed access to the waterfront, including Canalside—a waterfront park and public space at the original terminus of the Erie Canal. Here, hundreds of thousands of people gather throughout the year to enjoy concerts, festivals, boating, museums, shops and restaurants—and all within the first five years of Canalside’s groundbreaking.

Inspired by the activity at Canalside and the passion of Western New York sports fans, the National Hockey League’s Buffalo Sabres are building a $172 million, best-in-class facility to showcase both minor league and amateur hockey events right next to the Sabres’ home at First Niagara Center.

And there are meaningful investments in Buffalo’s arts, cultural and educational institutions, too. Within the last five to seven years, residents and visitors have been able to enjoy the revitalization of the Buffalo Zoological Gardens and the Buffalo Olmsted Parks system, the opening of the Burchfield Penney Art Center (the first new museum in the city in more than 100 years), and the reconstruction of the entire Buffalo Public Schools system. In addition, several other cultural venues, including the world-renowned Albright Knox Art Gallery and Explore and More Children’s Museum, are building, expanding or renovating.

In 2012, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo pledged $1 billion in state funding to support investment in key industries in Buffalo Niagara to leverage an additional $5 billion in private investment. To achieve this goal, Buffalo’s business executives, government officials and community leaders are working together to implement a strategic and focused plan to invest in life sciences and health care, education, culture and tourism, and high-tech manufacturing. This state-level investment means that new and relocating businesses will get the support they need for their companies to take root and grow. And, thanks to Buffalo Niagara’s geography—within the largest freshwater basin in the world and surrounded by two Great Lakes and the mighty Niagara River—the region is uniquely positioned to support forward-looking energy production, like wind and solar energy, and to supply inexpensive hydroelectric power to new and expanding manufacturers in Buffalo Niagara.

Buffalo is a decidedly different place than it has been for the last 50 years—and there are more than four billion reasons why. For more information visit Buffalo Niagara Enterprise at www.buffaloniagara.org or call 800-916-9073.

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The flooded Whitehall subway tunnel in Manhattan.

By Donna Clapp
From the March/April 2013 issue

The aerial photos taken after Superstorm Sandy swept through the Northeast in October 2012 told the whole story. Houses and businesses cleared away, leaving swatches of sand or burned-out ruins in their wake. Not just in some small, low-lying areas, but huge tracks of land from Atlantic City, NJ to Breezy Point, NY. The tunnels leading to Manhattan filled with water, huge trees were pulled up by their roots, and the beloved boardwalks of the Jersey Shore were either pulverized or simply washed away, with some shore towns, like Belmar, NJ covered in sand for miles. For many people in the area both their homes and businesses were wiped out in a single night.

Nearly 50 fatalities were reported in New York in the days after the storm; the death toll in New Jersey did not exceed 40 thanks to heroic efforts by NJ Gov. Chris Christie and many others to successfully evacuate nearly 1 million state residents from vulnerable areas on the Garden State’s 130-mile-long coast.

In the wake of Sandy, electricity was cut off to 7 million of New Jersey’s 8.8 million residents; 136,000 families were left homeless; more than 10 million cubic yards of debris had to be cleared from public property; the Jersey Shore, which generates more than $40 billion in revenue annually for the state, was decimated.

The night after the storm passed through, Gov. Christie said, he logged onto Google Earth and took a look at his state from space.

NJ Gov. Christie

“It was dark,” the governor said.

In the weeks immediately after the storm hit, the enormous scope of the economic damage inflicted by Sandy came into focus: In November, economic research firm Moody’s Analytics put storm losses at $49.9 billion. About $30 billion of the loss came from the physical storm damage, split fairly evenly between households, businesses and public infrastructure such as rail lines, roads and water and sewage systems. The rest of Moody’s estimate comes from lost business activity. Moody’s also estimates that Sandy will be the third most costly U.S. natural disaster, trailing only the $157 billion total economic loss from Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the $54.5 billion loss from 1992’s Hurricane Andrew (totals adjusted for inflation).

In January, HuffPost reported that Sandy damaged or destroyed 305,000 housing units and disrupted more than 265,000 businesses in New York. In NJ, 346,000 housing units were destroyed or damaged, and 190,000 businesses affected.

The good news is that the governors of NY and NJ began recovery assistance efforts immediately, and both states have poured extensive monetary and human resources into helping business move back toward a level of economic equilibrium.

NJ Mobilizes Storm Relief

Gov. Christie’s administration recently unveiled its proposed Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Disaster Recovery Action Plan, which outlines how the State plans to utilize $1.8 billion in federal funding. This is the first phase of CDBG funds provided to NJ by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Additional CDBG recovery funds are expected in the coming months. With this first phase of funding, NJ is focusing primarily on helping homeowners, renters, businesses and communities impacted by Superstorm Sandy.

The Christie Administration will dedicate more than half of this funding for low-to-moderate-income households, in accordance with HUD guidelines. Additionally, per HUD guidelines, 80 percent of the funds will be dedicated to the nine most heavily impacted counties in the state: Atlantic, Bergen, Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Union.

Bay Head, NJ

If approved by HUD, the Christie Administration expects that more than 20,000 homeowners, more than 5,000 renters and more than 10,000 businesses will be helped, as well as dozens of local governmental units.

“This plan puts into motion the specific actions we’ve been designing to get relief out as quickly as possible to our Sandy-impacted homeowners and businesses—to reconstruct, rehabilitate and elevate homes, and to get over hurdles for our small businesses to get up and running again,” says Gov. Christie. “These programs have been carefully, but quickly designed to fill the unmet needs faced by our residents to rebuild in a safer, more enduring way, to strengthen our impacted local economies going into this summer and to help preserve the unique character of our shore communities as we’ve known them. With this first round of funding, we will also begin an aggressive marketing effort to let people both in the region and across the country know that New Jersey is rebounding and that the Jersey Shore will be open for business this summer.”

As part of the plan, the Christie Administration is setting aside $500 million in funding for the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to administer the following activities:

• Small Business Grants of up to $50,000 to eligible businesses that sustained physical damage. A $300- million allocation will fund grants that can be used for purposes including rehabilitation, new construction, equipment, inventory, mitigation, refinancing and working capital.
• No-Interest Loans for Storm-Impacted Small Businesses ranging from $100,000 to $5 million for documented physical damage not covered by other sources. These loans are intended to assist eligible businesses that suffered physical damage, as well as spur economic revitalization by providing funding for expansion and new businesses in storm-impacted areas.
• Neighborhood And Community Revitalization Programs to provide funding of up to $10 million to help communities rebuild commercial areas with public facility improvements such as streetscapes, lighting, and sidewalks and undertake other activities critical to restoring and strengthening local economies, including micro-loans for storm-related damage and loan guarantees as well as façade and code-related improvements.
• A Tourism Marketing Campaign to promote storm-impacted businesses and shore communities by letting the nation know that New Jersey is recovering and that communities are open for business. The $25-million campaign also would encourage New Jerseyans and tourists to shop local.

In addition, the NJ Business Action Center is working to increase awareness of access to state and federal programs, attending local chamber of commerce roundtables and regional/county business development events, continuing outreach to key economic development partners and collaborating with higher education. The Economic Development Authority (EDA) is leading the Main Street Disaster Relief Program, boosting the lending capacity of community development financial institutions, and, following approval of New Jersey’s Action Plan from HUD, will work to provide grants and no-cost loans to small businesses, and launch an aggressive marketing campaign to help storm-impacted businesses and communities.

President Obama joins Gov. Christie at a post-Sandy press conference in Brigantine, NJ.

“In response to this natural disaster, New Jersey has coordinated a range of multi-agency resources to assist impacted businesses and ensure they are operational quickly,” says Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno. “Providing a thorough and interdepartmental business recovery assistance program is another demonstration of our support for our business community and their workers. The Business Action Center can help businesses tap into a variety of resources that will help them begin to recover from this catastrophic storm.”

On top of these new programs, New Jersey has a number of incentives in place to help with the recovery. Many loans, disaster relief and other programs that are helping companies rebuild are being implemented at the local and state level. Here are some of the programs being offered by NJ to assist companies during the recovery process:

• REBUILD New Jersey: This program provides low-interest loans to businesses that are recovering from the storm. The loans range from $10,000 to $30,000 and can be used to pay for building repairs, equipment and inventory purchases, rent or mortgage payments, salary expenses and utility costs.
• Clean Energy Program: Any business owner that is recovering from Sandy and is located within one of the identified damaged areas may be eligible to receive enhanced incentives on high-efficiency equipment/ appliances under NJ’s Clean Energy Program.
• Main Street Disaster Relief: This program provides guarantees of up to $500,000 for commercial lines of credit to businesses that need access to cash to improve their damaged property while awaiting insurance proceeds.
• Storm Recovery Loan Program: Launched by UCEDC, a non-profit economic development corporation, this program is a low-interest, fast-turn-around, working capital loan program for small businesses damaged by Sandy. Small business owners can borrow up to $25,000 at 2 percent interest for five years with no collateral requirements. For larger capital needs, the program offers loans up to $250,000 with conventional interest rates and processing periods.

Preparing For NJ’s Future

There are also several initiatives in place to invest in New Jersey’s future growth. A $26-million investment by the state Department of Labor Workforce Development aims to connect those that are unemployed to Sandy recovery job opportunities through:

• Recovery4Jersey: Funds will support private sector companies focused on rebuilding New Jersey. Companies working with utilities, construction and other cleanup efforts will have access to this grant for up to $100,000.
• Skills4Jersey: This initiative focuses on upgrading the occupational, literacy and safety skills of current employees and the training of new employees.
• Opportunity4Jersey: Focused on filling the need for skills workers, this step of the initiative will fund training programs directly connected to the need of a number of employers.

Seaside Heights, NJ

Companies continue to invest in New Jersey, with recent announcements by Lockheed Martin, Pfizer, Amazon and others. In fact, the Partnership for Action continues to be very busy responding to companies expressing interest in the state. According to the state, the volume of requests has actually increased since Sandy.

This may be due to the fact that the state has been more aggressive than ever to let the world know that NJ is open for business. Choose New Jersey, Inc. launched an integrated marketing campaign titled “New Jersey. A State of Resilience” in January targeted at corporate decision-makers in key markets. Advertisements were strategically placed in Washington, D.C. during the Presidential Inauguration, New Orleans during the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras, and at the Site Selectors Guild Conference, as well as and on highway billboards throughout NJ. The ads will continue to run throughout the year in top metro areas based on alignment with New Jersey’s target industry sectors.

In addition to these advertisements, the Partnership for Action and Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno have been taking the message on the road, meeting with companies and site selectors face-to-face in New Jersey, as well as in other U.S. and international markets to make sure they know New Jersey is open for business.

Superstorm Sandy obviously put tremendous pressure on the state’s utility infrastructure. PSE&G announced a $3.9 billion, 10-year proposed infrastructure plan at the end of February that will raise many electric switching stations and substations throughout New Jersey to protect them against any future natural disasters. The plan is awaiting approval from the Board of Public Utilities.

NY’s Rapid Response

Just a few days ahead of Gov. Christie’s action plan announcement, NY Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo submitted New York State’s proposal for housing and business recovery programs to HUD to help New Yorkers devastated by Superstorm Sandy. These programs will provide billions of dollars in direct aid to individuals, homeowners, and small businesses using funding from the $60 billion Sandy Aid approved by Congress in January. The State designed the diverse array of programs to specifically target federal aid to New Yorkers most in need and ensure the affected communities, and the entire region, builds back smarter and stronger than before.

President Obama speaks with NY Gov. Cuomo in Staten Island.

“Superstorm Sandy was the worst storm to hit New York State and our region in recorded history, and its impact devastated homes and businesses across Long Island and the metro area,” says Gov. Cuomo. “This plan was put together with the input of homeowners and small businesses in affected communities, and it will serve as a blueprint to guide our housing and private sector recovery.”

Recently, HUD issued rules and regulations governing the use of the first $1.7 billion allocated to New York. The programs will be offered outside New York City (NYC will administer similar programs to meet the same needs its own CDBG-DR allocation of $1.7 billion). The Action Plan represents the spending plan only for this initial allocation of CDBG-DR funds and does not reflect the full scope of recovery activities being undertaken by NY through other state and federal programs.

“I look forward to building on the partnership we have created with Governor Cuomo to help communities in New York rebuild in a way that makes them stronger, more economically competitive and better able to withstand the next storm,” says Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, who also serves as Chair of the Hurricane Rebuilding Sandy Task Force.

Gov. Cuomo has made it clear that preparing for the next storm must also include some tough decisions about which areas should be restricted from rebuilding. The NY governor wants to set aside $400 million to purchase vulnerable shore properties and restore them to uninhabited wetlands.

Breezy Point, NY

NY also proposes to use $415 million to help businesses replace or repair lost or damaged inventory and equipment, repair and mitigate damaged facilities, and cover working capital needs. The funds will be disbursed through the following programs:

• Small Business Grants—$233 million: NY will direct grant funds to help businesses, including farming and agricultural operations, and non-profits that suffered physical damage or inventory loss, as a result of Superstorm Sandy. Grants of up to $50,000 to cover eligible, uncompensated losses are proposed to enable an affected business to purchase or repair needed equipment, repair or rebuild facilities that were damaged or destroyed in the storm, and/or provide the working capital necessary to sustain and grow the business. The state may extend grants up to a total grant amount of $100,000 to businesses that suffered physical damage and are at risk of closure or significant employment loss without an increase in grant size. Special Business Mitigation Grants of up to $100,000 are also proposed to cover expenses such as installing back-up generators or elevating key equipment, to help prevent damage to these businesses in future disasters.
• Small Business Loans—$130 million: NY will create a low-interest loan program to help small businesses, including farming and agricultural operations, and non-profits that are at risk because they suffered losses of inventory, or physical assets as a result of the storm. Loans of up to $1 million may be available to help these businesses purchase or repair needed equipment, repair and rebuild facilities that were damaged or destroyed in the storm, and/or provide the working capital necessary to sustain and grow the business. Loans of higher amounts may be offered to eligible businesses that are at risk of closure or significant employment loss. Terms will be flexible, with interest rates held below 2 percent for borrowers.
• Business Consulting, Mentoring—$3 million: NY will create an online network to facilitate connections between consultants and business practitioners who are willing to provide consulting and mentoring services to small businesses hit hard by the storm. Up to $3 million will be used to build the network and support the providers of the consulting and mentoring services, including financial management, real estate, marketing, legal and industry-specific assistance.
• Coastal Fishing Industry Recovery Program—$20 million: Coastal fishing supports thousands of jobs in New York State. Superstorm Sandy caused significant damage to the fisheries along New York’s coastline, and while these fisheries will also be eligible to participate in the other small business assistance programs announced today, the industry is subject to unique considerations. To help this vital industry recover, New York State will create a targeted program to support grants of up to $50,000 available to affected businesses. These grants would cover otherwise eligible, uncompensated losses and help the industry prepare now for the upcoming fishing season.
• Seasonal Tourism Industry Recovery Program—$30 million: While these seasonal tourism businesses also will be eligible to participate in the other small business assistance programs, seasonal small businesses in coastal and riverine communities require an immediate injection of support to ensure that they can reopen and operate in time for the upcoming summer season. Accordingly, the state seeks to provide grants of up to $50,000 to eligible businesses in this industry. The grants will cover otherwise eligible, uncompensated losses and working capital needs to help them prepare for the coming season.

In addition, New York State will create a dedicated infrastructure bank to help coordinate infrastructure development and investment across the disaster region. An initial capitalization of $20 million from the first allocation of CDBG-DR funds will be combined with State funds and committed to financing eligible infrastructure projects that apply for assistance through the Bank. The Bank will benefit New York by introducing a centralized approach to infrastructure related decision making rather than a project-by-project, agency specific process. The focus of the Bank’s investments will be on projects that increase the resiliency of the area’s infrastructure to withstand future threats or provide redundancy of critical systems. It is expected that the Bank will be funded with up to $200 million through subsequent allocation rounds or such other amount to be jointly determined with HUD.

The infrastructure bank will take several steps to carry out these goals, including developing a system for prioritizing infrastructure projects and initiatives, providing a centralized approach to the state’s infrastructure planning process, managing state recovery funds for infrastructure and other sources of capital, negotiating opportunities for private sector investment in infrastructure and financing approved projects. The planning processes and expertise of the New York Works Task Force will be embedded into the Bank’s functions.

The infrastructure bank may make use of funds from several sources, including federally allocated recovery funds, diverted or created revenue, proceeds from the sale of long-term debt and credit enhancements with other state entities. In addition, the bank will work with both public and private investors to raise funds to finance infrastructure developments. An advantage that the bank will have is the ability to combine several sources of funds (e.g., Federal funds with private funds) to finance projects as effectively as possible. The bank will showcase potential projects to engage the private sector in opportunities for investment in infrastructure.

New York State also will establish the Community Reconstruction Zone (CRZ) program to facilitate community-driven planning to rebuild and revitalize severely damaged communities. The state anticipates allocating approximately $25 million from this first allocation to provide planning grants to communities that suffered community-wide impacts. Later allocations will be used to implement final CRZ plans. The planning grants will facilitate the retention of outside experts as consultants to a participating community’s planning committee, as well as the completion of critical studies to determine the key vulnerabilities and needs of the community. The state will provide information and guidance to the committees to assist them in identifying and using such outside resources effectively and efficiently. It is anticipated that the CRZ program will be funded up to $500 million, an amount to be jointly determined with HUD.

Energy-related storm damage mitigation is critical for essential services facilities including, in particular, hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities for vulnerable populations. Many essential services facilities did not have backup power systems or had ineffective backup systems that failed during the storm. As a result of this, numerous facilities had to evacuate patients which posed a greater risk to those patients than allowing them to remain in place during the storm.

To address this critical need, New York State will establish the Resilience and Retrofit Fund. The State anticipates allocating approximately $30 million from this first allocation of CDBG-DR funding to provide credit enhancement or leverage for private sector financing of energy-related mitigation projects.

Sandy affected more than 140,000 National Grid gas customers in New York City and on Long Island. In addition to the state’s efforts, National Grid has launched a $30-million Emergency Economic and Community Redevelopment Program to complement federal, state, city, insurance and other funding sources currently available to help communities and individuals rebuild. Administered through their partner HeartShare, the program targets gas customers—encouraging job retention and promoting installation of energy-efficient equipment and systems. The program has three tier levels:

1. Funding plumbing inspections (one-time, $150 bill credit eligible to residential customers)
2. Funding heating equipment for the most vulnerable residential customers, with grants available up to $6,000
3. Supporting commercial redevelopment and rebuilding communities with grants available up to $250,000

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to keep New York State a great place to live, work and prosper,” says National Grid’s NY Jurisdiction President Ken Daly. “This is our home, and we’re 100 percent determined to help our customers and communities recover from the devastating effects of Sandy.”

The post SPECIAL REPORT: Steadfast And Strong In The Wake Of Superstorm Sandy appeared first on Business Facilities.

The time has come for Business Facilities to once again shine our economic development spotlight on locations that have caught our eye during the year and impressed us with the scope of their efforts. As always, the task of winnowing the field to those who deserve special attention and picking the cream of the crop was tougher than singing the praises of our showcase selections.

This year’s Location Picks are a diverse group of communities which have successfully planted their flag on the battlefield for new growth sectors. The locations we have chosen present a bevy of forward-thinking programs that deserve a closer look.

Every one of the locations honored here has embraced the imperative of regional cooperation as a driver of nearly every successful growth strategy. Maximizing resources also is a critical key to success. Whether it’s leveraging a vibrant system of higher education, investing in infrastructure improvements or ensuring that a skilled workforce will continue to be available to new businesses that arrive on the scene, our Location Picks are ready to hit the ground running once an expansion, relocation or new facility comes their way Business Facilities congratulates this year’s selections for a job well done and offers a tip of the hat to the runners-up.

Pittsburgh: Healthcare Hub
Pittsburgh, PA perennially makes our list of the most livable cities in the nation. The city that rose on three mighty rivers in western PA is home to a number of industrial powerhouses, including aluminum giant Alcoa, U.S. Steel, financial services titans Highmark and PNC Financial Services, and food processing behemoth H.J. Heinz.
Pittsburgh has Pittsburgh has set its strategic sights on five growth sectors: advanced manufacturing (including robotics), health care/life sciences, financial/business services, information and communications technology and energy. [For a list of the top Fortune 500 companies with major facilities in Pittsburgh, see chart below.]

*Revenue for Fortune 500 is generally done by calendar year, and some companies’ fiscal years do not align with the calendar year. (Source: Fortune; last updated: May 7, 2012.)

A burgeoning health care industry drives the regional economy in Pittsburgh. Two of the leading employers, UPMC and West Penn Allegheny Health System, together account for more than 50,000 jobs. The federal government also has a major output in Pittsburgh: federal agencies employ 18,600 people in the city.

Pittsburgh, PA

As a top receiver of National Institutes of Health R&D funding, the region boasts assets like the pioneering transplantation techniques of Thomas E. Starzl and the jointly established Carnegie Mellon/University of Pittsburgh Computational Biology Graduate Program.

Key centers of innovation and collaboration in Pittsburgh include Innovation Works, the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse (PLSG), Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center (PSC), Pittsburgh Technology Council and the Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Institute.

Innovation Works (IW) plays a vital role in Southwestern PA’s technology economy, investing capital, business expertise and other resources into high-potential companies with the greatest likelihood for regional economic impact. IW is the single largest investor in seed-stage companies in this region and one of the most active in the country; it has invested $52.3 million in more than 152 start-ups.

The Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse (PLSG) provides capital investments and customized company information and business growth services to the region’s life sciences enterprises. PLSG supports biosciences companies with promising innovations in the following concentrations: Biotechnology Tools, Diagnostics, Healthcare IT, Medical Devices and Therapeutics. The Greenhouse accelerates technology commercialization with seed and early-stage companies; connects investors with its Investment Portfolio companies; expands established life sciences ventures and relocates biomedical companies to Pennsylvania.

Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center (PSC) provides university, government, and industrial researchers with access to several of the most powerful systems for high-performance computing, communications and data-handling available to scientists and engineers nationwide for unclassified research. PSC advances the state-of-the-art in high-performance computing, communications and informatics and offers a flexible environment for solving the largest and most challenging problems in computational science.

The Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center is a joint effort of Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh together with Westinghouse Electric Company. Established in 1986, PSC is supported by several federal agencies, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and private industry, and is a leading partner in XSEDE (Extreme Science and Engineering Discovery Environment), the National Science Foundation cyberinfrastructure program. PSC works with its XSEDE partners to harness the full range of information technologies to enable discovery in U.S. science and engineering.

Since 1983, the Pittsburgh Technology Council has been the principal point of connection for companies from four primary clusters of the technology industry that are represented by a critical mass of businesses in southwestern Pennsylvania, including the Advanced Manufacturing/Materials, Green Technology, Information Technology and Life Sciences sectors.

The Council aligns itself with key organizations and initiatives in order to improve the regional economic climate and build tech industry growth. It has partnerships with key developmental organizations, including the 3 Rivers Connect (3rc).

3 Rivers Connect is a nonprofit agency that helps individuals, educators and community leaders use information and technology to make the best possible decisions about the allocation of resources and delivery of services. 3rc works with a variety of community-oriented organizations ranging from schools and social services agencies to government and environmental groups. Through projects such as the Information Commons, 3rc is unifying community information in a way that will give everyone a better understanding of the issues and a data-driven foundation for planning and analysis.

Fort Lauderdale: A Public-Private Success Story
Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance has forged a powerhouse collection of area CEOs into a driving force for growth. The winner of the new Achievement in Public-Private Partnership Award has set the standard for best practices in this dominant new economic development model.

The mission of Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance is to lead Broward County in building a stronger and more diversified economy by promoting increased public/private sector collaboration, delivering business development initiatives focused on new investment and job growth, enhancing the competitiveness of Broward’s business climate and driving regional initiatives.

The CEO Council of Greater Fort Lauderdale recently has been involved in several high-profile initiatives that are raising national awareness for the region. A TV commercial produced by Zimmerman Advertising has featured CEO Council members Wayne Huizenga, Mike Jackson, Roy Krause and Keith Koenig along with County Administrator Bertha Henry and NFL Hall of Famer Dwight Stephenson. The TV ads, which aired for six months in the NY/NJ/CT and Boston markets and on JetBlue’s in-flight TV, conclude with Huizenga’s memorable tag line: “Hey, it’s not what you make, it’s what you keep.” The top execs also appeared in print display ads.

Greater Fort Lauderdale is home to a number of established, strong and growing industry clusters. From aerospace and aviation to cloud technology, biotechnology and life sciences, marine and international trade and logistics, the area offers a strong infrastructure to support these growing industries. Additionally, Greater Fort Lauderdale is home to a highly trained and skilled workforce that ensures these industries continue to grow and prosper.

Technology companies find Greater Fort Lauderdale provides a stimulating environment for business success. The region’s assets include a readily available base of skilled knowledge workers, a warm climate for creative activities, convenient access to world markets, and a cooperative spirit that helps turn research discoveries into commercial products.

South Florida has deep roots in the technology sector, including the distinction of being the birthplace of IBM’s PC in the early 1980s. Today, the technology landscape continues to attract global companies, along with successful “home-grown” businesses and innovative start-ups. Greater Fort Lauderdale’s IT/telecom companies employ more than 50,000 people, according to recent surveys. Overall, the Miami-Fort Lauderdale metropolitan area is one of the nation’s Top 100 Tech Centers as defined by bizjournals.com, with a recent ranking of 62.

Fort Lauderdale-based Citrix Systems, Inc. is a leading provider of virtual computing solutions that help companies deliver IT as an on-demand service. Founded in 1989, Citrix combines virtualization, networking, and cloud computing technologies into a full portfolio of products that enable virtual workstyles for users and virtual datacenters for IT. The $1.6 billion company serves more than 230,000 organizations in 100-plus countries.

On the up-and-coming side of the spectrum is Pompano Beach’s ServusXchange, LLC, which was ranked No. 17 on the Forbes inaugural ranking of “America’s Most Promising Companies.” The IT company’s flagship product is MyOnlineToolbox, a community platform that brings business innovations to contractors who repair and remodel homes.
Other Greater Fort Lauderdale IT companies include Microsoft Latin America; Cbeyond, Inc., a Miramar managed services provider to small businesses; and Blue Frog Solutions in Pompano Beach, a leading provider of middleware solutions for life insurance carriers, underwriters and their distributors and agents. DataBridge Corp. in Oakland Park is a computer engineering consultancy that develops turnkey computing solutions for its clients.

In the online sector, Saveology.com is a national consumer comparison-shopping provider, while eDiets.com, Inc., is a leading provider of convenient at-home diet, fitness and healthy lifestyle solutions. eStockIt.com in Hollywood is an online retailer of restaurant, janitorial and office supplies.

Motorola Mobility, Plantation, FL

As worldwide demand grows for “smart” handheld devices with powerful new applications, Greater Fort Lauderdale is home to a strong and growing cluster of wireless technology companies serving consumer, business and governmental customers. Key players include Motorola, which has a facility in Plantation that employs 1,700 and developed an advanced two-way portable radio for use by police, fire rescue and other first responders; Research in Motion, with 400 employees in Sunrise, a worldwide designer and manufacturer of wireless communications devices and services, including the famous BlackBerry family; and General Dynamics C4 Systems, also in Sunrise, which makes wireless communications and mobility information systems for military, homeland security and business customers.

After more than 18 years of planning, work finally began in late January on a new, 8,000-foot-long runway at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The huge $791 million South Runway Expansion Project should be completed and ready for landings and takeoffs in September 2014.

Runway 9R-27L, located on the south side of the airport and running parallel to Griffin Road, is now being rehabilitated and lengthened. In its old configuration, the runway was only 5,276 ft. (1,608 m) long and was deemed unsuitable for the increasing amount of air traffic coming into the airport. It was closed on April 17 and construction of the new landing surface is going on top of it

The fact that the new runway will be elevated more than six stories above ground level at its eastern end makes it one of only a few elevated runways in the U.S. and only the second runway in the country to span a federal highway.

Little Rock, AR: Regional Growth Center
Little Rock, AR is a center for several major employers in a variety of industries including healthcare, service, government and agriculture.

Little Rock, population 193,524, is located in the center of the country and in the second fastest-growing region of the United States, with 40 percent of the nation’s population and buying power within a 550-mile radius. Little Rock is where ‘America Comes Together’—located at the crossroad of Interstate 30 and the most heavily traveled Interstate in the nation, Interstate 40.

Competitive wages and Arkansas’ right-to-work environment provide an excellent workforce environment for businesses. Twenty-eight Fortune 500 companies operate within the Little Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The Little Rock National Airport, less than three miles from downtown, is Arkansas’ largest commercial service airport, serving approximately 2.1 million passengers annually. The airport attracts passengers from a large part of Arkansas, as well as a number of surrounding states. There are more than 120 flight arrivals and departures at Little Rock each day, with non-stop jet service to thirteen national and international gateway cities, making Little Rock truly one stop away from the world. Little Rock National is served by American Eagle, Continental Express, Delta, Delta Connection, Northwest, Northwest Airlink, Southwest and US Airways Express. The Little Rock National Airport is operated by the Airport Commission, whose members are appointed by the Little Rock City Board of Directors.

The Arkansas River runs past downtown Little Rock and is part of the McClellan-Kerr Navigation System, one of the largest projects of the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The system provides a 448-mile navigation channel for barge traffic from the Mississippi River northwest to fifteen miles east of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Port of Little Rock, on the Arkansas River is a designated Foreign Trade Zone and a United States Customs Point of Entry. This status allows goods to be stored and processed there without custom duties or bonds being paid until products are finished and sold, or moved out of zone.

The City of Little Rock has seen a steady increase in economic development activities, which is due in large part to an active private sector and the strong leadership of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce. In addition, manufacturing, transportation and service sector employment are growing at a steady rate. Little Rock is one of the top fifteen aggressive development markets in the nation and has doubled in the past thirty years, with projections indicating it will double again in during the next twenty years.

Government leaders are committed to retaining, creating and expanding job opportunities for the service, retail and industrial sectors of the community. As a result of this commitment, Little Rock is experiencing unprecedented development and expansion in the downtown corridor. Since 1994, projects totaling $968,579,951 have been completed in the downtown area, with $175,894,720 worth of projects in progress and an additional $194 million worth of proposed projects. The River Market has resulted in new businesses throughout the River Market District, including a $7.5 million renovation and development of the Museum Center Building, which houses the Museum of Discovery, restaurants and commercial information technology enterprises. In addition, the $165 million William J. Clinton Presidential Center opened its doors in November 2004, and since opening, the Center has hosted over 300,000 visitors.

The City’s Economic Development Office administers local ‘Advantage Arkansas’ Programs and visits businesses to determine eligibility for the former Enterprise Zone Program to secure endorsements of various businesses regarding economic development programs, zoning requirements, special tax provisions and related economic incentives and information. In addition, the Economic Development Office serves as the City’s representative for the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce Briefing Center, analyzes new business proposals, prepares developer packages and presents information to encourage business location. Decommissioning closely with this office is the Office of Minority Economic Development which was established in 1994 as a result of FUTURE Little Rock.

Skilled Workforce Ready In Greater Omaha
Greater Omaha continues to attract business from a variety of growing industries. And it’s no wonder. The eight-county region offers many qualities key to economic success, including: a solid, hard-working and educated workforce; available Omaha commercial real estate in a variety of specifications and locations; lower costs and available incentives for business; and a decidedly pro-business environment.

Access to an educated, skilled and motivated workforce is one of Greater Omaha’s key assets because it draws business to the area and spurs economic growth. Every year, there are more than 9,000 new graduates from area high schools and 10,000 from area colleges and universities. These individuals stay in Greater Omaha because opportunities are plentiful—both professionally and personally—and the area offers a superior quality of life.

The Greater Omaha community places a high value on the contributions businesses make to their economy and quality of life. This is why you’ll find that Greater Omaha and the state of Nebraska have been instrumental in developing incentive programs designed to increase business, investment and employment in the entire region. Available to businesses of all sizes and a wide variety of industries, these incentives benefit business in many ways, including reduction or elimination of property, payroll, income and/or sales tax liability; customized job training; and special financing, grants and loans
Greater Omaha is home to the headquarters of nine Fortune 1000 companies. Those include five on the Fortune 500 list—Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Union Pacific, ConAgra Foods, Peter Kiewit Sons, Inc. and Mutual of Omaha.

With the nation’s largest privately held bank (First National Bank of Nebraska) and three Fortune 1000 financial services companies (Berkshire Hathaway, Mutual of Omaha and TD Ameritrade), Greater Omaha’s financial services clusters have one of the highest densities in the country.

Greater Omaha is home to Offutt Air Force Base which houses United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), U.S. Air Force Weather Agency and the 55th Wing of the U.S. Air Force. As such, Greater Omaha has a global reach, emphasizing key components of the base’s core missions—including deterrence, space, cyberspace global weather, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

With its central location and outstanding infrastructure, Greater Omaha is home to key transportation companies and is a logistics center. In fact, two of Greater Omaha’s Fortune 1000 companies are in this sector, Union Pacific and Werner Enterprises.
Greater Omaha has low utility costs, a central U.S. location and excellent transportation access. Thus, Greater Omaha’s manufacturing sector has continued to thrive in areas such as agriculture-related hardware, value-added agricultural products, chemicals/fuels and finished goods.

Greater Omaha’s information technology businesses continue to flourish with numerous companies creating or opening key technology operations in Omaha. Greater Omaha has grown to be a high-tech haven with a diverse mix of technology and a highly trained IT workforce.

Airbus Lands In Mobile
Mobile, AL already is a hub for heavy manufacturing. Its largest manufacturers include shipbuilding giant Austal USA (2,500 employees), ThyssenKrupp Steel USA (1,700), ST Mobile Aerospace (1,300) and BAE Systems Southeast (850).

Joining that powerhouse lineup is Airbus, the European aircraft manufacturing giant. Airbus is preparing to build a new facility in Mobile, AL to produce commercial airliners. According to Adam Buck, a spokesman for the mayor of Mobile’s office, the $600 million facility will generate 1,000 permanent jobs.

Airbus is putting a commercial aircraft assembly line in Mobile.

This will be Airbus’ first manufacturing plant in the western hemisphere; it will be located on the site of a former Air Force base, where Airbus already has an engineering facility.

The Alabama governor’s office states that the plant will construct the company’s A320 line of single-aisle aircraft. Planes in the A320 family seat between 107 and 220 passengers, and are used “from very short-haul airline routes to intercontinental segments,” Airbus says.

“The time is right for Airbus to expand in America,” Airbus President & CEO Fabrice Bregier said in a statement. “Mobile is now becoming part of Airbus’ global production network, joining our successful and growing assembly lines in Hamburg, Toulouse and Tianjin.”

Airbus chief operating officer John Leahy told CNNMoney that having a U.S. manufacturing presence would help the company compete for new business as American airline companies replace their aging fleets.

“All things being equal, even if we have a better product, they tend to stay with a U.S. manufacturer,” Leahy said. “A good way to get a bigger place in that replacement market is not just to have the best airplane, but to have the best airplane built in America.”

Construction of the facility will begin next year, with aircraft assembly projected to begin in 2015. By 2017, the plant is expected to churn out between 40 and 50 planes per year.
Some analysts believe the Mobile facility will also allow Airbus’ parent company, EADS, to compete with Boeing for U.S. defense contracts.

The Alabama State Port Authority is in the midst of a five-year plan that is spending $360 million to improve infrastructure at the Port of Mobile. Improvements include land acquisition, new rail and inter-modal yards, cargo terminal improvements and enhancements to improve servicing of deep-water oil and gas field vessels and equipment.

Since 2000, the Port Authority has undergone nearly $500-million in capital improvements and expansion projects to serve containerized, bulk and break bulk commodities. Improvements include a new rail ferry terminal, steel terminal to service ThyssenKrupp Steel USA’s $4.6 billion steel facility in Calvert, AL, new warehousing, a new container terminal, and expansions at McDuffie.

The Port of Mobile has an estimated statewide economic impact approaching $8 billion annually.

Mobile is a picturesque city located at the mouth of the Mobile River along Mobile Bay, leading to the Gulf of Mexico. More than 590,000 residents live in the metropolitan area covering 2,828 square miles.

As one of the oldest cities in the U.S., Mobile combines Southern tradition, beauty and charm with all the elements of a fast-growing, successful community. Rich in history, Mobile was founded by French explorer Jean Baptiste LeMoyne of Bienville in 1702. French, English, Spanish and Native American influences have blended to create a unique culture influencing everything from the annual celebration of Mardi Gras to food and architecture. In 30 minutes you can be on the sandy-white beaches of Dauphin Island in south Mobile County, or ferry from there across Mobile Bay to Gulf Shores in a few minutes more. The mountains of northern Alabama are within a few hours drive.

Metro Atlanta: A Biomed Sector Keeps Growing
Gov. Nathan Deal, Baxter International Inc. chairman and Chief Executive Officer Robert L. Parkinson, Jr., and other dignitaries recently broke ground for a new manufacturing facility for biological medical treatments that Baxter will locate east of Atlanta near Covington. The facility will employ approximately 1,500 people, and total investment by the company will exceed $1 billion. Around 200 local leaders and public officials were present at the ceremony.

“Georgia supports Baxter’s mission to save lives, and this occasion is one of many milestones we look forward to celebrating with the company as it establishes a presence in Georgia,” said Deal. “Baxter’s decision to build a facility here is a watershed event for the state, not only in our goal to establish Georgia as a hub for global health, but in our mission to provide high-quality jobs for our citizens.”

Baxter announced in April its plans to build a facility in Georgia that will manufacture plasma-based therapies that treat chronic and life-threatening illnesses. The company will also locate warehouse and plasma testing laboratory facilities at the Stanton Springs site. Construction is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2013, and completion of construction of the first manufacturing buildings is planned for 2015. Additional construction will continue into 2016 and the plant is anticipated to begin commercial production in 2018. In addition to the manufacturing facility, Baxter will locate plasma collection centers in a number of communities around the state.

“Today we begin the work to construct a new state-of-the-art biotechnology facility. In a few years, Baxter team members working in facilities located on the ground where we are standing today will produce lifesaving biologic treatments for patients around the world,” said Parkinson.

In addition, Stanton Springs will also be home to a biotech training center that will provide a workforce pipeline for Baxter and other members of the state’s bioscience industry. The training center will be owned by the state and operated by Georgia Quick Start, the top-ranked customized workforce training program in the country.

“Our entire region is excited about Baxter’s arrival and joins together in extending a warm welcome to our newest corporate citizen,” said Alan Verner, chairman of the Joint Development Authority (JDA) of Jasper, Morgan, Newton and Walton counties. “We realize Baxter could have chosen any location in the world, but its decision to settle in this community means quality jobs will be available not just for us, not just for our children, but for our children’s children and generations thereafter.”

“Georgia and Baxter share the goal of building and maintaining a world-class facility operated with a Georgia workforce that will help the company provide top-quality care to patients in need,” said Chris Cummiskey, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

With strong talent, a spirit of collaboration and access to the world, Georgia is at the crossroads of global health. The state offers robust public-private partnerships in bioscience, including the Georgia Research Alliance, through which the state’s six research universities collaborate with businesses to create, improve and grow science- and technology-based companies.

Additionally, Georgia boasts a strong talent pool and one of the largest state university systems in the country, graduating 44,000 students each year. Its bioscience industry cluster includes more than 320 multinational firms, consisting of many small- and medium-sized companies that include the full scope of the bioscience sector.

Georgia’s life sciences industry and university research, plus the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have a $23 billion annual economic impact on Georgia and employ more than 105,000 people, according to statistics from the 2011 “Shaping Infinity” report, released by Georgia BIO. The bioscience industry in Georgia created $19.5 billion in output and contributed $7.5 billion to the state GDP as well as $496 million in tax revenues for state and local governments.

Cincinnati Has Lowest Cost Of Doing Business
Cincinnati’s low costs for facility leasing, transportation and property taxes contributed significantly to its ranking as the least-costly location to do business in the United States among the 27 largest metro areas (all with populations exceeding 2 million), according to a study by KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm.

Cincinnati skyline

Atlanta was the second most cost-competitive location in the large-cities category, followed by Orlando, Tampa and Dallas-Fort Worth, which ranked third, fourth and fifth respectively. Other locations that performed well were Baltimore, St. Louis and Cleveland.

In our 2012 Metro Rankings Report, Cincinnati also was ranked ninth in Economic Growth Potential (less than 450,000 employment), seventh in Best Quality of Life and sixth among Top 10 Manufacturing Cities.

KPMG’s Competitive Alternatives study provides a thorough biennial comparison of more than two dozen large metropolitan area business locations in the United States, offering a comprehensive guide for companies considering sites for their business operations. The KPMG study is particularly valuable for its measurement of significant factors that contribute to business operating costs and which often vary by location, including costs associated with taxes, labor, facilities, transportation and utilities.

KPMG’s 2012 Competitive Alternatives study measured 26 significant cost components in each market, including labor, taxes, real estate and utilities, as they apply to 19 industries over a 10-year analysis horizon. Information is also provided on a variety of non-cost components. The study enables companies to perform a “quick scan” of locations to determine which markets can offer an advantageous business environment.

The KPMG study reveals that Cincinnati had a cost index of 95.9, representing business costs 4.1 percent below the U.S. national baseline of 100.0. Cincinnati was followed closely by Atlanta at 96.2, Orlando at 96.3, Tampa at 96.4 and Dallas-Fort Worth at 96.5.
After a very extensive search in both Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky, Medpace, Inc., an international drug development services company, decided to relocate their new corporate headquarters to the former NuTone site on Red Bank Road within the City of Cincinnati. Medpace anticipates they will occupy 350,000 sq. ft. of new office space by 2014. The company will continue to maintain a presence at their Norwood location until their final lease ends in 2013.

Medpace will move employees to the new Cincinnati campus over five years with approximately 1,339 jobs occupying the entire 350,000-square-foot space by 2014. The new corporate campus will include three separate office buildings of between 110,000 to 130,000 square feet each. The average salary for employees will be $70,192.

The City’s Economic Development Division has estimated that through incentives Medpace will save approximately $7.5 million in taxes over eight years. In return, approximately $41.7 million in new corporate profits tax and local income taxes will be generated by Medpace, Inc. for the benefit of the city during the 16 years the company must remain in Cincinnati under the agreement.

Meyer Tool, Inc. is investing $2 million in a new 30,000 sq. ft. facility at 3154 Spring Grove and will expand its existing facility at 3055 Colerain Avenue in Camp Washington. The company will create 50 full time positions and retain 586 employees. The expansion allows Meyer Tool, Inc. to handle increased work volume over the next few years.
Meyer Tool, Inc. is a maker of turbine engine components and test stands for aircraft engine manufacturers. It also offers technology, multi-axis precision hole drilling, laser machining, material joining, engineering and tooling, and quality services.

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor campus

Sparking New Development In Ann Arbor, MI
The Pure Michigan campaign featuring Ann Arbor as a destination for business growth recently launched.  The four-minute video, a result of a collaborative effort between Ann Arbor SPARK, the Ann Arbor Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Ypsilanti Area CVB, features Ann Arbor business leaders talking about the benefits of locating a company in the region. It is prominently displayed on the Pure Michigan website as well as the sites of its tourism and travel partners.

“The launch of this video propels Ann Arbor SPARK’s efforts to market our region as a destination where innovative businesses thrive,” said Donna Doleman, Ann Arbor SPARK’s vice president, marketing, communications and talent. “By showcasing global brands and startups alike, juxtaposed with scenes from downtown and our natural spaces, the Pure Michigan video tells a compelling story of ‘Why Ann Arbor’. We are thrilled to have this marketing asset as a tool in attracting businesses to consider the Ann Arbor region as a destination for location and expansion.”

The promotion features Ann Arbor SPARK’s president and CEO Paul Krutko, Patrick Doyle of Dominos Pizza, Sean Heiney of Barracuda Networks, Michael Miller of Google, Rich Sheridan of Menlo Innovations, Jan Garfinkle of Arboretum Ventures, and Mark Sutter of Terumo Ca

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Google’s reception area in Bakery Square in the Steel City.

By Jenny Vickers
From the September/October 2012 issue

When you think of U.S. tech hubs, Silicon Valley, Boston, New York City and other areas certainly come to mind. However, technology companies are realizing that to be truly global, they need to tap innovation at more locations and in new high-growth markets. This means that new hot spots of tech innovation are springing up in places like Kansas City, the site of Google’s new high speed Google Fiber network, and Pittsburgh, a new hotbed for innovative tech start-ups.

Some of the locations already are  well-known for developing the next generation of technologies, such as Austin, home to Dell, Apple, Facebook and Google, and Tucson, with its hotbed of solar technology innovation. Regardless of where they are located, these regions all have a few things in common: a large talent pool with lower costs of doing business, innovative technology development, and regional development support. If technology makes the world go ‘round, then these new tech clusters are certainly starting to spin.

Pittsburgh, PA is a Top-ranked Tech City
Pittsburgh was recently ranked by Forbes as one of the “Top 10 Up and Coming Tech Cities” in the nation. Groundbreaking discoveries being made at the region’s leading research institutions, including the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University have made the region a hotbed for high-tech start-ups. Successful partnerships between academia and industries are regularly developing new products and technologies.

One of Pittsburgh’s top regional strengths is its Information and Communications (ICT) industry, which includes nearly 1,600 ICT firms with more than 26,000 employees and 6,000 computer and electrical engineers. In the past decade, nearly $1.8 billion in venture capital was invested in emerging regional business and 300 ICT companies announced plans to add more than 8,600 jobs in the region from 2003-2011.

California-based software development company, Smith Micro Software, has established a significant presence in the Pittsburgh region. The company, which develops software applications for mobile platforms, opened its R&D center in southwestern Pennsylvania in 2010.

With the company counting major conglomerates such as Verizon, AT&T, Dell and Microsoft as clients, its growth potential is evidenced by a global market of mobile broadband users that totals 300 million now and is expected to grow to 3 billion in the next 10 years.

Smith Micro has received $1.8 million in state incentives, including a $1 million opportunity grant, $125,000 in job training assistance and $696,000 in job creation tax credits.

To make downtown Pittsburgh more attractive to technology-driven, innovative companies, the local real estate community has developed Larimer’s Bakery Square and the proposed Bakery Square 2.0, as well as co-working space such as Revv Oakland, Beauty Shoppe and StartUptown. Companies located here include the University of Pittsburgh’s Roar Lab, UPMC’s Technology Development Center and Google’s new office.

Google’s growth in the city has helped put Pittsburgh in the top tier of regional technology sites. Over the summer, the company expanded into a 40,000-square-foot office in Larimer’s Bakery Square.

Google’s Pittsburgh site has focused on three areas of work: the Google Product Search, which presents items available for online purchase; work that determines which ads to display based on a search query; and search infrastructure, which handles the computer systems fueling every result page.

At Google’s Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) location, the company is a roommate with the Apple Pittsburgh office and the local Intel Research Lab, among others.

“Nearly five years ago, we announced that we would begin building an engineering presence in Pittsburgh, a city with a strong technology ecosystem, as well as an entrepreneurial spirit and great quality of life,” said Andrew Moore, Engineering Director, Google Pittsburgh. “Since then, we’ve grown from two engineers to more than 150, and we’re continuing our commitment to growth in the region as we’ve officially opened a new Google Pittsburgh office in an old Nabisco factory in Bakery Square. The Collaborative Innovation Center at Carnegie Mellon University had been our home since 2006, and our relationship with CMU remains invaluable to us.”

Other new tech expansions in the Pittsburgh region include:

• The Resumator: 8 new jobs; recently expanded to 8,000 SF to accommodate growth; develops Web 2.0 recruiting software; President Obama’s re-election website is using The Resumator to power hiring.
• M*Modal: 120 new jobs, CMU spinout focused on voice recognition technology, taking on two additional floors in current space  —27,000 square feet
• Vivisimo: 25 new jobs, IBM recently acquired the Squirrel-Hill based search technology company; Vivisimo also recently unrolled a mobile version of its customer service product.
• UPMC Technology Development Center (TDC): 16 new jobs, 31,000 SF expansion at Bakery Square with an option to expand to 48,000 SF; the TDC identifies, analyzes and develops new solutions to address health care’s greatest challenges and create the next generation of health care IT products.
• Carnegie Learning: 105 new jobs, additional space in the Frick Building; provides innovative, research-based math curricula for middle school, high school and post-secondary students; recently teamed up with NBC Learn, the educational arm of NBC News, to produce ‘Decision 2012: Election Math.’
• Tiversa: 25 new jobs, a cybersecurity company that recently expanded into a $2.6M, seven-story, 48,000-square-foot building in downtown Pittsburgh.
• Medallion Analytics Software: 11-16 new jobs, provides software that enables better communication across the loan origination process; closed on a $1.5M funding round.

Austin: A Tech Hotbed Grows in the Southwest
Austin, Texas has emerged in recent years as a new technology powerhouse, ranking No. 5 on a list of the nation’s leading high-tech metro areas by a national publication, the Atlantic Cities. The study’s ranking index combined a measure of the concentration of high-tech companies (based on the Milken Institute’s Tech-Pole Index) and two measures of regional innovation, patents per capita and average annual patent growth.

And it’s no surprise. The northern Texas city hosts the start-up fest South by Southwest every year and is home to computer giant Dell and top operators such as Apple, Facebook and Google. The city also has a lower cost of living and doing business than other technology centers on the coast and a growing base of engineering talent. Today, more than 3,800 technology companies and 91,000 technology employees call Austin home.

2011 was a record year for tech development in Austin, which saw the addition of 1,000 new tech establishments, 6,000 new tech jobs and 45 regional tech company expansions—the largest increase in over a decade. Regional investment announcements increased 13 percent as well, totaling over $1.1 billion.

Austin is becoming well known for its development of mobile Internet technology, the technology that is rapidly changing how people access the Internet and communicate with friends, bank and make purchases.

The city is home to year-old Chaotic Moon Studios, the team behind multiple groundbreaking mobile brands such as News Corps’s The Daily, The Discovery Channel, Groupon and Best Buy. With more than 60 patents in process, Chaotic Moon Labs incubates, develops, launches and monetizes internal hardware and software innovations as well as manages Chaotic Moon’s investments in other mobile companies.

Chaotic Moon Labs joins other mobile tech companies in Austin including Mutual Mobile, which has created a shopping app for Google, and Phunware, which developed an app for the Discovery Channel show “Mythbusters” as well as the popular Petfinder app.

Austin’s 30-year software and semiconductor industry has proven to be a strong foundation for some of the newer-generation companies. With early investments from corporations such as Motorola and AMD, in addition to the location of two national research consortia, MCC and SEMATECH, the semiconductor industry in Austin has evolved to include the entire value chain from R&D to materials and chips, hardware, software, systems and services.

Samsung’s semiconductor factory in Austin is well known—its investment in Austin represents the largest foreign investment in U.S. history. The facility is the largest fab in the U.S. and is the company’s only semiconductor plant outside of Korea. Samsung joins a host of semiconductor companies which are all headquartered or have significant operations in Austin including AMD, Applied Materials, Freescale, IBM, Intel and Tokyo Electron.

Samsung recently announced it will invest nearly $4 billion dollars to expand and renovate its manufacturing plant, creating 600 new permanent jobs and 3,000 construction jobs. Samsung’s total investment in Austin now exceeds $13 billion.

The remodeled facility is slated to start mass production during the second half of 2013, mainly producing 28-nm system-on-a-chip (SoC) solutions for tablets and smartphones.

According to Samsung, the renovations are needed to better meet the rapidly growing demands of its OEM customers for mobile chip technology.

“We are extremely pleased to extend our presence in Austin and reinforce Samsung’s capacity for highly advanced logic products,” said Woosung Han, president of Samsung Austin Semiconductor, in a press statement. “The added ability in production will allow our customers to better respond to market needs.”

Apple, Inc. also is moving ahead with a proposed plan to create a major operations center in Austin. The tech titan will be investing $304 million in the plan, which will involve hiring 3,600 workers over the next decade. Apple is in line to receive $21 million as part of the state’s business incentives program.

“Apple is known for its bold innovation and game-changing designs, and the expansion of their Austin facility adds to the growing list of visionary high-tech companies that have found that Texas’ economic climate is a perfect fit for their future, thanks to our low taxes, reasonable and predictable regulations, fair legal system and skilled workforce,” said Texas Gov. Rick Perry in a statement.

Greater Kansas City: Silicon Prairie
Greater Kansas City, which straddles the Kansas and Missouri state line, has all the pieces in place for the making of a vibrant technology and entrepreneur community. The region is home to tech giants Sprint Nextel Corp. and Cerner Corp., as well as a growing number of tech start-ups and entrepreneurs.

In 2011, the Wall Street Journal featured the Kansas City area as one of seven national up-and-coming growing innovation centers. Kansas City most notably stood out for its significant growth of tech companies. In 2009, Kansas City’s tech company population jumped by 5 percent to 2,900—a faster growth rate than established tech hubs such as Silicon Valley, Boston and Austin, the report said, citing a 2010 study by the TechAmerica Foundation

One of the most exciting initiatives to come out of Kansas City is the rollout of Google Fiber. In 2011, Google chose Kansas City over 1,100 others to set up its broadband Internet service; making Kansas City the first area where Google’s ultra-high speed service would be available.

“In selecting a city, our goal was to find a location where we could build efficiently, make an impact on the community and develop relationships with local government and community organizations,” said Milo Medin, Vice President, Access Services, in a Google blog. “We’ve found this in Kansas City. We’ll be working closely with local organizations including the Kauffman Foundation, KCnext and the University of Kansas Medical Center to help develop the gigabit applications of the future.

The new ultra high-speed fiber network, which will run 100 times faster than current broadband, will likely help bolster cloud-based technologies and pave the way for high-definition streaming services that will be hard to find elsewhere.

“Google Fiber is another lifestyle asset to draw talented engineers and developers to our region,” said Ryan Weber, President of KCnext, a non-profit industry advocacy group for technology in the region. “From an entrepreneurial standpoint, if you are a tech start-up you are going to have extremely high access for a very low cost and that will reduce your overhead significantly.”

Google Fiber will offer three options. These include a free broadband Internet option, a 1 Gbps Internet option for $70 a month and a version that includes television service for $120 per month. The Internet service includes 1 terabyte of Google Driver service.

According to Weber, Google Fiber is helping to bridge the digital divide that exists in America and in most communities.

“For families that have not been able to afford other options, it’s a real advantage to having an inexpensive connection so you can apply for jobs or take online courses,” said Weber. “That’s a huge asset for our region.”

Photo credit: Sportsaddicts.me

The Google Fiber project also has served as a catalyst to put attention on other exciting technology initiatives happening in the region. Besides IT, Kansas City also is cultivating its biotech industry.

Currently, there are 200 biotech companies located in the Kansas City area, employing more than 20,000. In recent years, Kansas City has developed specific areas of expertise within the broader industry, including animal health and pharmaceutical development and a growing research base. Biotech research spending has more than doubled in the region since the year 2000 and there are 12 new research facilities currently under construction. Public and private research spending now exceeds $1.8 billion.

In June 2012, the Kansas Bioscience Authority (KBA) launched BioResearch Central, a new collaborative network of more than 90 contract research organizations (CROs) and related service providers stretching from central Kansas through to central Missouri. This network represents one of the 15th largest concentrations of CROs in the U.S.

“We have about 90 CROs that employ about 9,000 people and derive over a billion in sales every year,” said Tom Krol, director of commercialization for the KBA. “We’re very hopeful that we can grow the biosciences here and the CROs are a part of that.”

A CRO is defined as a company that does contract work for a pharma, biotech or medical device company in human or animal health. A recent KBA-commissioned study by Tufts University found “tremendous breadth and depth of expertise” among the region’s CROs and related service providers, covering the range from discovery, formulation and toxicology to bioanalytics, clinical trials, regulatory services and commercial support.

In recent years, the 16 largest global pharmaceutical firms have all enlisted BioResearch Central companies for contract research services. In addition, BioResearch companies have contributed to the successful development of more than 60 pharma products.

The KBA has also launched the new Bioscience Park, a 100 acre park located in within the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor, home to one-third of total sales in the $19 billion global animal health market. A key component of the park is the KBAs Venture Accelerator wet lab incubator, which facilitates the growth of early-stage, high-potential bioscience companies.

The year-old Venture Accelerator is now home to Agrilytics, Epic Medical Concepts and Innovations, Expedite Animal Health, Novita Therapeutics and its two spinoff companies, Flow Forward and Metactive.

“The Bioscience Park is a prime location for bioscience companies to locate,” said Mr. Krol. “We have an incubator for start-up companies with offices and wet labs. The idea is that once the companies grow they can move out into their own facility within the bioscience park or alternatively we have land that can be gifted to companies that would like to locate here.”

In May 2012, Ceva Biomune announced it is moving to the Venture Accelerator for the next year as the company completes extensive renovations to its R&D facility in Lenexa. Ceva will be the ninth company in the KBA facility, which is 80 percent leased.

Other recent additions to the accelerator include Pasture USA, which develops medical countermeasures to biological accidents or attacks, disease outbreaks and pandemics, and Wound Care 360, which develops products for wound closure and care.

Albuquerque: High-Tech Haven
The Albuquerque metro is continuously recognized as a high tech haven by national publications such as Wired and Small Times magazines thanks to its variety of companies and technology savvy workforce available to new and expanding companies.

Albuquerque officials and representatives from Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization cut ribbon on smart grid project.

With more than 310 days of sunshine a year and the highest elevation of any major city in the U.S., Albuquerque has built a thriving renewable energy cluster. A renewable energy study published by Ernst & Young in February 2012 ranked New Mexico No. 2 in renewable energy attractiveness, just behind California.

A rapidly developing cluster of solar technologies exist in the Albuquerque metro area including Unirac, Emcore, Array Technologies, Sacred Power and Fraunhofer CFV Solar Test Laboratory. In addition, the New Mexico Technology Corridor, stretching from Los Alamos National Laboratory northwest of Santa Fe to New Mexico State University just north of the Mexican border, contains an array of technology-based organizations involved in the research and development of alternative energy products.

In the past year, New Mexico’s solar companies received a substantial growth in utility- and commercial-scale projects. Unirac Inc, which makes mounting platforms for solar PV systems, projects an 80 percent jump in revenue in 2012.

Array Technologies, Inc., a maker of solar trackers, and Sacred Power Corp, which makes and installs fully assembled solar systems, also forecast double-digit expansion.

In July 2012, the Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems, an applied R&D development laboratory dedicated to the commercialization of clean energy technologies, opened a PV outdoor test field in Albuquerque.
The field is an extension of the center’s Albuquerque solar research annex, which launched in 2011. The Fraunhofer Center also co-owns the CFV Solar Test Laboratory at Mesa del Sol in Albuquerque, which opened in 2011.

“This facility reinforces our commitment to conducting cutting-edge solar research for our clients, and gives our experienced technical team the flexibility to accommodate a broad range of solar power performance testing products,” said Dr. Christian Hoepfner, scientific director at Fraunhofer CSE, in a news release.

The federal government recently unveiled a long-term plan for solar energy development in six Southwestern states, including New Mexico. The plan, announced July 2012, designates 17 solar energy zones totaling about 285,000 acres of public lands as priority areas for utility-scale solar development.

New Mexico’s only solar energy zone under the proposal is the Afton zone, which totals about 30,000 acres in the Las Crucs/Dona Ana County area.

In addition to solar technology, New Mexico has launched a Green Grid Initiative to develop a rapidly growing Smart Grid. In May 2012, Mesa del Sol, Albuquerque’s mixed-use, master planned community, unveiled its new Smart Grid system, the first of its kind in the nation.

The newly installed micro-grid used on-site solar, fuel cell, natural gas and back-up battery storage to power the 78,000 square-foot Aperture Center at Mesa del Sol.

Partnering with Mesa del Sol on the Smart Grid is Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), PNM, Sandia National Laboratories, The University of New Mexico and nine Major Japanese companies including Shimizu Corporation. The system was unveiled today with VIPs and dignitaries on hand.

NEDO is investing $22 million in the smart grid. In addition to funding to construct the system, NEDO will monitor and test the system for the next two years. Once complete, the entire project will be turned over to the University of New Mexico’s Center for Emerging Energy Technologies for continued research and smart grid development.

“The new smart grid has a building management system that is automated and manages the electric supply and distribution between our on-site generation sources, energy storage and PNM’s power grid,” explained Manny Barerra, Mesa del Sol’s Director of Engineering in a statement.

With the global population to exceed 9 billion in 2050, of which 70 percent are estimated to live in an urban environment, the building of smart communities with reduced energy and water needs is essential for a sustainable society. Energy use is on the increase and the Smart Grid will help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and increase the use of more sustainable sources of energy such as renewables, while maximizing energy efficiency.

“The Smart Grid at the Aperture Center is another example of Mesa del Sol walking its talk,” said Mesa del Sol Vice President of Development Chris Anderson in a statement. ‘We have built this community to be sustainable at every level. It’s not an afterthought but a key facet of everything we do.”

Another Green Grid Initiative is the $1.5 billion Tres Amigas Superstation, which will link the nation’s three major electricity grids. In May 2012, the company picked Albuquerque as the location for its new headquarters, creating 75 to 100 high-paying jobs. The company is building a 15,000 to 20,000 square-foot “dual center” complex in Rio Rancho that will house a backup control room and training and simulation space, creating additional jobs.

New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez signed into law this year a specialized tax credit intended to help lure Tres Amigas to New Mexico. “I am excited that Tres Amigas has chosen to invest and locate in New Mexico, and I believe the work that was done to make New Mexico more competitive during last year’s session helped to make this announcement possible,” Gov. Martinez said in a statement.

The superstation will include a hub near Clovis to serve as the meeting point for high-voltage power line interconnections that serve the eastern and western halves of the U.S. and a separate grid that supplies Texas. The project is intended to allow electricity to flow more freely across the grids and break down barriers to ramping up alternative energy in the U.S.

Northeast Ohio: Shaking Off the Rust
A new technology cluster is forming in the Northeast—and it’s not on the coast. Cleveland, long recognized as “America’s Medical Capital,” is developing a robust medical and biotech industry, while Pittsburgh is becoming known for its strengths in developing new and innovative technologies. Together, this new tech cluster is helping to drive regional growth, create jobs and have long-term, positive economic impacts on the region.

The Northeast Ohio technology scene, which consists of Cleveland, Akron, Canton, and Youngstown, is being bolstered by a large biomedical presence. In the past five years alone, the biomedical industry has grown 37 percent. From 2004 to 2010, 189 new bio-related firms began operating in the Cleveland area.

The Cleveland area is now home to more than 700 biomedical facilities, 60 hospitals, 230,000 health care and bioscience workers, outstanding manufacturing capabilities, and a strong network of more than 25 colleges and universities.

Health care is the largest industry sector in Cleveland, making up 18 percent of its economy. In the last ten years, over $1 billion has been invested in over 110 health care start-up companies, 34 health care start-up companies have been acquired, creating economic growth and additional startups and 67 national venture investors have funded Cleveland’s health care companies.

In 2013, the city will unveil its own health care “Pentagon” to the international medical industry. Construction is under way on the Cleveland Medical Mart & Convention Center, which, once completed, will be a state-of-the-art healthcare industry education and training center, attracting the nation’s leading medical societies and association meetings to a facility located within close proximity to the nation’s leading healthcare providers. The Medical Mart will provide the industry’s leading manufacturers with a platform for showcasing medical innovation and technology in the heart of the nation’s medical capital.

The complex will include a 235,000-square-foot, four-story medical mart and an adjacent convention center with 230,000 square feet of Class A exhibition hall space. The $465 million project broke ground in January 2011. Completion is scheduled for August 2013 and the project is currently aiming for LEED Silver certification.

Cleveland also is home to a three-mile, 1600-acre Health-Tech Corridor (HTC), a prime location for biomedical, healthcare and technology companies looking to take advantage of close proximity to four world-class healthcare institutions including the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals, eight business incubators, four academic centers and more than 123 high-tech companies engaged in the business of innovation.

In September 2012, IceCure Medical Ltd., an Israeli medical device company, announced the expansion of its U.S. operations from private clinics to breast cancer institutes at large hospitals, after completing its first year of marketing activity in the U.S.

IceCure opened its U.S. headquarters on June 1, 2011 in Cleveland’s Global Cardiovascular Innovation Center (GCIC). IceCure Medical is leasing space in GCIC’s 50,000 sq. ft. facility adjacent to the Cleveland Clinic, which provides close proximity to clinical researchers and clinicians along with extensive facility and business support services.

“The unique infrastructure for growing biomedical companies, the support we received from many organizations and the progressive health care environment that includes world-class institutions such as the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals Case Medical Center, led us to choose Cleveland for our U.S. operations,” said Hezi Himelfarb, CEO of IceCure Medical.

In addition to locations in Detroit and Newport Beach, Calif., IceCure has installed its IceSense3 systems at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland and the St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown. The installations will give more women access to the company’s cryoablation procedure for the removal of breast cancer tumors. The system replaces the need for surgical excision of the tumors.

The Cleveland Medical Mart will serve as a health care industry training facility and a convention center.

“The Health Tech Corridor builds on one of our region’s economic strengths and is an international destination for medical technology companies,” said Mayor Frank G. Jackson. “Cleveland’s ability to attract companies like IceCure and help them develop their business is essential for the growth and success of the area.”

In addition to IceCure, Cleveland has attracted Israeli medical tech companies MDG Medical, NI Medical and Simbionix. The Ohio Capital Fund and Bridge Investment Fund LP, which provided the companies with innovative technology set up operations, played a key role in attracting foreign companies to the region.

The University of Akron has created the FirstEnergy Advanced Energy Research Center to develop technology to generate efficient electric power with minimal carbon dioxide emissions. Specifically, the center will research and create ways to capture carbon dioxide, which then would be used at fossil-fueled power plants, and to develop coal-based fuel cells for commercial use.

Because of its well-known expertise in several engineering and manufacturing disciplines, including mechanical, corrosion and polymer engineering, as well as research, development and technology commercialization, The University of Akron also has been selected to be a key collaborator in the pilot program of a major national effort to revitalize the U.S. manufacturing industry. An announcement introducing this pilot effort was made  at M-7 Technologies in Youngstown.

The TechBelt Regional Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute (AMII) is part of President Obama’s new National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI) program announced last March. The NNMI would be the catalyst for a network of up to 15 Institutes of Manufacturing Innovation around the country, each serving as a hub of manufacturing excellence that will help make U.S. manufacturing facilities and enterprises more competitive while encouraging investment in them as well. Additive manufacturing was deemed as the technical focus of the pilot institute.

Additive manufacturing, the science of manufacturing three-dimensional, functional objects, is a rapidly growing technology being used to create usable parts for industries such as aerospace, energy, medical and consumer products. A revolutionary suite of manufacturing technologies for building up parts, and potentially entire systems, AM creates these systems in a layer-by-layer fashion, placing material precisely as directed by a 3D digital file. It also is being touted for its cost savings and waste reduction.

Each Institute of Manufacturing Innovation (IMI) will be competitively selected. The proposal by UA and its partners in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia for the pilot institute stood out among a host of other industrial and academic partnership proposals.

UA’s strengths in various engineering disciplines—particularly the “multi-layering” of polymer films and multiple electronic printing technologies available in its National Polymer Innovation Center (NPIC), corrosion engineering and finishing the surfaces of materials—make it uniquely positioned to play a major role in the AMII.

UA’s part of the winning proposal was a collaborative effort between the College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering and the College of Engineering. Proposal and technical team members included Cakmak; Bryan Vogt, Ph.D., associate professor of polymer engineering; Jae-Won Choi, Ph.D., assistant professor of mechanical engineering; David Simmons, Ph.D., assistant professor of polymer engineering; and Ajay Mahajan, Ph.D., associate dean for research in the College of Engineering.

Tucson is the Sun King
One of the fastest-growing regions in the Southwest, Tucson’s technology assets includes a renowned bioscience global hub and an internationally-recognized location for solar energy activities.

Tucson has been identified as one of thirteen Solar America Cities by the U.S. Department of Energy, and several large scale initiatives are underway, including a new project to build a 14.5-megawatt photovoltaic (PV) solar array, the Air Force’s largest in terms of generating capacity, at Davis-Monthan (D-M) Air Force Base. D-M  already is home to the largest residential PV installations in the nation, 6 megawatts worth of solar at D-M’s Soaring Heights Communities base housing complex.

Construction on the D-M project, initially announced in September 2010, will begin soon with completion planned for no later than December 2012, the Air Force said. The base has entered into an agreement with California-based solar developer SunEdison LLC to design, finance, build, operate and maintain the array on 170 acres of underutilized base property.

The $38.4 million power purchase agreement provides electricity to D-M at a reduced rate for a period of 25 years, saving the base from $400,000 to $500,000 a year in utility costs, the Air Force said. The project will provide 35 percent of the energy needed to power the base.

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Gov. Chris Christie

By Shana Daley
From the September/October 2012 issue

New Jersey’s largest electric utility recently unveiled a major expansion of its solar program that will build solar farms on brownfields, landfills and large roofs as well as finance projects by home and business owners.

The $883 million proposal by Public Service Electric and Gas could generate 233 megawatts of electricity, enough energy to power as many as 233,000 homes. Business Facilities recently ranked New Jersey no. 2 in the nation for Installed Solar Power Capacity.

“Solar energy is important to the sustainable future, and we hear it from our customers time and time again,” said Ralph Izzo, chief executive officer of Newark-based PSEG, the utility’s parent company.

Izzo announced the plans with Gov. Chris Christie at a news conference in Hackensack, where the utility is building a 1-megawatt solar farm on a former industrial site on River Street. Christie lauded the plan, saying it would help New Jersey reach its renewable energy goals, create jobs and protect the environment.

“I’m proud that this is happening without the heavy hand of government involved,” said Gov. Christie, surrounded by union laborers. “It’s happening in a partnership between the private sector and government.”

The Solar 4 All program is broken into two components. The first is a $690 million plan to add 136 megawatts of solar power over the next five years by installing panels on landfills, brownfields (former industrial sites), warehouse roofs, large parking lots, schools and municipal facilities.

The second part of the program will provide up to $193 million to finance 97.5 megawatts of electricity. The utility’s 4-year-old solar loan program has issued 736 loans worth $177 million.The loans are offered to PSE&G customers at a rate of 11.85 percent and can be repaid over 10 years with either cash or credits earned by energy generated by the customer’s system.

PSE&G’s announcement came a week after Christie signed a bill that calls for utility companies to increase the percentage of power derived from solar to more than 4 percent by 2028 from about 2 percent next year.
Gov. Christie’s energy master plan calls for 22.4 percent of the state’s energy to come from renewable sources such as solar and wind by 2020, down from 30 percent under a previous plan by former Gov. Jon Corzine. Christie also wants 70 percent of the state’s electric use to come from “clean” sources by 2050 and has said that category has to include nuclear, natural gas and hydroelectric facilities. Environmental advocates said none of those are clean energy sources.

PSE&G’s solar farm in Hackensack is expected to be completed by October, said Fletch Creamer Jr., CEO of Creamer Cos., which is building the project.

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From the people to the technology and the resources to the components, the system that moves a product from the supplier to the customer involves many steps. A process needs to be in place to move materials, services, people or any other “product” from point A to point B and possibly all the way to Z. Sophisticated planning is required to account for never ending variables that help to keep supply chain costs down and quality and profits up. Logistics incorporates the complexity of integrating information, transportation, inventory, warehousing, material handling and packaging. It is the largest business practice a company has to manage and to be deemed successful and efficient it should be done in a cost-effective, timely, safe and secure fashion.

According to the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals’ (CSCMP) 23rd Annual State of Logistics Report (authored by transportation consultant Rosalyn Wilson of Delcan, Inc.) total U.S. business logistics costs include three main categories: Inventory Carrying, Transportation and Administration. The report reveals that this number rose to $1.28 trillion in 2011, a 6.6 percent increase from the previous year and a 17 percent increase from 2009. This accounts for 8.5 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), bringing us back to 2003 levels.

Titled “The Long And Winding Recovery,” the report reveals that U.S. exports of goods and services increased by 14.5 percent in 2011 to $2.10 trillion, while imports increased 13.8 percent to $2.66 trillion. 2011 also saw U.S. exports of manufactured goods reach a record $1.27 trillion, up 15.1 percent from 2010. Industrial supplies represented the largest goods export category with a record $499.5 billion worth of exports followed by capital goods with a record $491.4 billion. Record amounts of gasoline, heating oil and diesel were also exported to meet higher global fuel demand, while U.S. fuel consumption dropped.

The Railroad sector was the big winner with a 15.3 percent increase from 2010 to 2011, particularly gaining market share in intermodal. Trucking, which comprises 77 percent of the transportation component, posted a 6.2 percent rise with companies also using intermodal rail help to offset the impacts of driver shortages and the costs of acquiring and maintaining new equipment. The air cargo sector experienced a decline, with domestic revenue down more than 3 percent compared with less than a 1 percent decline in international revenue. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) continues to expect net post-tax profits for the entire industry to fall from $7.9 billion in 2011 to $3 billion in 2012, which is just 0.5 percent of revenues. Ocean cargo also experienced decline with excess capacity, rate erosion, service declines and operational losses.

The United States has the largest freight transportation system in the world. It is comprised of 3.9 million miles of public roads and two million miles of oil and natural gas pipelines. There are networks with 120,000 miles of major railroads, more than 25,000 miles of commercially navigable waterways and more than 5,000 public-use airports. The highway network consists of four million miles of roads and streets with about 600,000 bridges and the transit system is operated by more than 5,000 public transportation systems with 129,000 active service vehicles. But whether traveling by land, air, track or sea, locating in the right area can be a company’s biggest time and profit saver.

Hoosier Energy: Service in a Logistically Magnetic Region
The Hoosier Energy service region is so well suited to the logistics industry that in just the last six months of 2011 five logistics projects in the areas around Indianapolis, Louisville and Greensburg (home of Honda’s auto assembly plant) were announced, as new and existing facilities grew to take advantage of the many favorable factors that southern and central Indiana and southeastern Illinois offer to logistics and distribution companies.

The communities that are served by rural electric cooperatives in this region have the advantage of proximity to the vast majority of the United States population. Within a 900 mile drive of Hoosier Energy services are communities from Dallas to Jacksonville and New York City to Minneapolis. Interstates 64, 65, 70 and 74 all provide access to points along some of the most vital highway corridors east of the Mississippi. In addition, by the end of 2012 a new interstate—I-69—will be open for traffic in southwestern Indiana, a brand new highway that opens up new territory for potential logistics facility sites.

Both Indianapolis and Louisville have established reputations for being communities that logistics projects must examine as potential sites; business parks filled with large distribution centers are available in many communities, and UPS in Louisville and FedEx in Indianapolis are key parts of the air shipping industry. Amazon recently announced that another one of its facilities would spring to life in Indiana as well.

Not only is there a deep pool of existing workers who have experience in the logistics field, but education facilities throughout the Hoosier Energy region also have begun to develop training curriculum materials that are specifically tailored to meet the needs of logistics firms. Six Indiana high schools have started using an Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics (AML) curriculum that is a mixture of hands-on, project-based, and online lessons that will lead to better prepared students who will have logistics training as they enter the work force. Ivy Tech Community College has worked with the AML curricula to position the students for relevant certifications and associate degrees related to logistics.
And the cost of doing business in the communities the Hoosier Energy cooperatives serve is another attractive advantage. According to the Council for Community and Economic Research, all the areas in the Hoosier Energy region have costs that are below the national average composite price index.

The regional business climate is so favorable that businesses of all sorts are expanding in these communities. In the past six years almost 300 business attraction or expansion projects on rural electric served sites led to the announcement of 12,500 new jobs to be created. Automotive parts suppliers, food processing firms and furniture manufacturers—all are flocking to the pro-business region that is serviced by Hoosier Energy.

Low costs, trained labor, available sites and proximity to interstates and the eastern U.S. population—these are the factors that have made the Hoosier Energy region a powerful magnet for new business.

Joplin, MO: Well Connected to Deliver
For companies seeking a central location that reaches numerous major metro areas, excellent transportation connections and a capable labor force, Joplin, Missouri is a great place to locate.

Northpark Mall, Joplin, MO.

The Joplin Metro area in southwest Missouri is in the center of North American markets. Major metros such as Dallas, Kansas City, St. Louis, Tulsa, Little Rock and Memphis are just hours away. Transportation to those markets is efficient thanks to Interstate highways and substantial rail connections. Commercial air service is available at Joplin Regional Airport and three other major airports within 90 minutes drive time.

Companies in the Joplin Metro area benefit from a productive, available labor pool of more than 93,000 people. Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) in Joplin offers a broad range of standard and business-specific classes as well as a strong industrial technology program. Crowder College is a source for customized technical training. Overall, between the Joplin schools and MSSU, more than $100 million has been spent on educational facilities.

Joplin’s quality of living is enhanced with two major regional medical centers, more than 150 restaurants and a wide variety of retail options from locally owned shops to the 114-store Northpark Mall.

With Walmart’s headquarters in nearby Bentonville, AR (just 45 miles away), Joplin is well positioned geographically to serve as a distribution center for suppliers who have a directive to provide just-in-time deliveries. Joplin is located within two hours of six Walmart centers, which gives the region a logistics advantage for supplying the Walmart system, the largest retailer in the U.S.

Joplin is an excellent location for distribution based on the population within 150 and 250 miles. A market of 5.2 million people can be reached within a 150-mile radius of the Joplin area. Among its competitors within that radius, Joplin’s population is the largest. The population in the local market has as much of an influence on distribution costs as the overall population within the distribution radius, as it is far cheaper to distribute to local customers than to customers that are at least two hours from the distribution center.

The Joplin Metro area’s position for serving national markets is nearly as advantageous as Chicago or Kansas City. Interstates 40 and 44 (east-west) and US Highway 71 (north-south) connect to every region in the country. Four airports within 110 miles serve the region, providing commercial and cargo service to markets throughout the world. Two Class 1 and one local railroad are important parts of the transportation system. Both UPS and FedEx offer daily early morning deliveries in Joplin and Neosho through their regional hub in Springfield, MO.

The Joplin area already has several back office operations that have prepared a large pool of full- and part-time workers in this industry. Companies such as La-Z-Boy, General Mills and Owens-Corning transport their finished products from the area.

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ALABAMA

INCOME TAX CAPITAL CREDIT: Currently codified as Article 7, Chapter 18, Title 40, Code of Alabama 1975. It is a credit of five percent of the capital costs of a qualifying project, to be applied to the Alabama income tax liability or financial institution excise tax generated by the project income, each year for 20 years. This credit cannot be carried forward or back, and cannot be used to generate a refund to the taxpayer. The capital credit is used only after all other deductions, losses or credits permitted under Titles 40 and 41 of the Code of Alabama 1975. The credit will follow the income generated by the project and, therefore, will be allowed to “pass-through” entities such as: corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, etc. Types of Capital Credit projects include:

• New Project or Expansion Project: Consists of new investment at a new site in Alabama, or new investment that will expand the capacity and the number of employees at an existing facility. The law allows more than one project on the same site. A company may have any number of projects in Alabama, as long as each project meets the statutory requirements for a qualifying project.

• Small Business Addition: A small business addition is an addition to an existing facility of a small business. A small business is a business located in Alabama that has 100 or fewer full-time employees, prior to the date on which the addition is placed in service.

CERTIFIED CAPITAL COMPANY PROGRAM (CAPCO): Promotes investment in Alabama-based businesses by creating several venture capital funds required to invest in Alabama companies. Businesses that request CAPCO investment funding must meet certain criteria and requirements set by the Alabama Development Office. CAPCO financing, an alternative to conventional bank financing, can accommodate a slightly higher risk profile and provide a more flexible structure for growing businesses. Eligibility requirements include:

• Headquartered in Alabama or will be relocated to Alabama
• Principal business operations in Alabama or will be relocated to Alabama
• Have no more than 100 full-time employees, and 80 percent of employees are in Alabama or 80 percent of payroll is paid to employees in Alabama
• Industries that qualify for the CAPCO program may include manufacturing, processing, or assembling products; conducting research and development; or providing services.

SALES & USE TAX ABATEMENTS: Taxes on construction-related transactions, pollution control devices are exempt from sales and use taxes.

ENTERPRISE ZONE CREDIT: To stimulate growth in depressed areas of the state, Alabama offers certain tax credit incentives to business that locate or expand within a designated enterprise zone.

“MADE IN ALABAMA” JOB INCENTIVES ACT: Qualifying companies may receive a transferable income tax credit to offset import tariff costs during local construction process.

FULL EMPLOYMENT ACT OF 2011: Businesses with 50 or fewer employees may receive a one time income tax credit equal to $1,000 per new job paying over $10 per hour.

BROWNFIELD DEVELOPMENT TAX ABATEMENTS: Gives cities and counties the ability to abate the following:

• Non-educational city and county sales & use taxes;
• Non-educational state, city and county property taxes—up to 20 years;
• Mortgage and recording taxes.

ALABAMA INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT PROGRAM: Funds are available for extension of water, sewer and road facilities.

ALABAMA INDUSTRIAL ACCESS ROAD & BRIDGE PROGRAM: Provides financial assistance to communities for industrial access to new and expanding industries. It allows for the construction of roads, bridges, etc. on public right-of-ways in conjunction with industrial projects.

INDUSTRIAL REVENUE BONDS: May be used as long-term financing of up to 100 percent of a project for:

• Acquisition of land, buildings, site preparation and improvements;
• Construction of buildings;
• Acquisition and installation of furnishings, fixtures and equipment;
• Capitalizable soft costs (e.g., architectural and engineering, interest incurred during construction, etc.)

Typically, tax-exempt IRBs have interest rates ranging from 70-85 percent of prime and are limited to $10 million per single issuance and $40 million total maximum per company. Taxable IRBs have an interest rate equal to conventional loans and have no limit. Terms for both are normally 10-20 years and can finance up to 100 percent of the project costs. The principal and interest on the bonds are paid solely from the funds derived from leasing or selling the facilities to the user company. Under most circumstances, upon complete payment of the bond issue, the lessee or user company acquires ownership of the industrial facility for a nominal sum.

ALABAMA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOAN PROGRAM: The state has more than 2,300 commercial lending sources with assets of over $61.3 billion. The Alabama Economic Development Loan Program is used to work with commercial lenders for projects in non-entitlement communities.

EMPLOYER EDUCATION CREDIT: A tax credit is statutorily available to employers who provide approved basic skills education programs to Alabama resident employees. The credit is 20 percent of the actual costs limited to the employer’s income tax liability. The requirements are:

• Program must have written approval from the Alabama Department of Education.
• Employees shall have been continuously employed for at least 16 weeks for at least 24 hours per week.
• Employer cannot receive or require reimbursement or any form of remuneration for any cost of  education.

RENEWAL COMMUNITY PROGRAM: Created by Congress in 2000, provides federal income tax incentives to businesses that are located or will locate in designated areas. Three of the nation’s 40 Renewal Community areas are in Alabama.  The sites include the Greene and Sumter Renewal Community, made up of both counties, the Mobile Renewal Community, which includes Prichard and a section of east Mobile, and the Southern Alabama Renewal Community, which includes Wilcox County and parts of Butler, Conecuh, Dallas, Hale, Lowndes, Marengo, Monroe and Perry Counties.

ALABAMA INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING (AIDT): State training program certified in compliance with ISO 9001:2000, the International Organization for Standardization Principle for Quality Management. Services are provided at no cost to employers or trainees. The workforce management system includes recruitment, assessment and training of potential employees, development and production of job-related training materials, provision of training facilities and delivery of job-specific services. It also provides certified manager training and supervisory and team leadership training.

ALASKA

RURAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE FUND: Provides private sector employment by financing the start-up and expansion of businesses that will create significant long-term employment.

• Loans may be made to a business located in a community with a population of 5,000 or less that is not connected by road or rail to Anchorage or Fairbanks, or with a population of 2,000 or less that is connected by road or rail to Anchorage or Fairbanks.
• Loans may be made for working capital, equipment, construction or other commercial purposes.
• Loans may not be made to pay costs that were incurred more than 6 months before loan application.
• Loans must result in the creation of new jobs or the retention of existing jobs in the eligible community.

SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (SBED): Provides private sector employment by financing the start-up and expansion of businesses that will create significant long-term employment. Generally, a business must have fewer than 500 employees, have a net worth under $6 million and have an average net income after federal taxes for the preceding two years less than $2 million to qualify. Eligibility for the SBED program includes all communities in the state of Alaska with a population of less than 30,000. Loans in communities of 30,000 or more are available on a limited basis, depending on funds availability.

ALASKA FILM PRODUCTION INCENTIVE PROGRAM: Applicants can qualify for up to 44 percent in a transferable tax credit on qualified production expenditures in Alaska. Eligible projects are broadly defined as film, documentary, commercial and video productions requiring a minimum of $100,000 of qualified expenditures in Alaska.

OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION TAX CREDITS: Allow for a production tax credit for certain exploration geophysical survey and drilling activities as an alternative to the QCE credits under AS 43.55.023. Provisions for exploration drilling credits under this statute are different for areas inside of and outside of the Cook Inlet sedimentary basin.

MINERALS EXPLORATION TAX CREDITS: Taxpayers may take a credit for 100% of eligible costs of exploration activities related to determining existence, location, extent or quality of a locatable mineral or coal deposit. The incentive may not exceed $20 million and must be applied within 15 tax years after the taking of the credit is approved. Application of the credit is limited to 50 percent of the lesser of the taxpayer’s mining license tax liability or 50 percent of the taxpayer’s total corporation net income tax liability.

The COMMERCIAL FISHING AND AGRICULTURE BANK provides loans to fishing, tourism, natural resources and agriculture-based projects. The Division of Investments provides loans to fishing enterprises and other small business ventures.

ALASKA GROWTH CAPITAL: Provides financing to nontraditional borrowers/businesses that use innovative technology, are in rural Alaska and are minority-owned.

COMMERCIAL FISHING LOAN FUND: Provides long-term, low interest loans to promote the development of predominantly resident fisheries, and continued maintenance of commercial fishing vessels and gear for the purpose of improving the quality of Alaska seafood products. Must be an Alaska resident for the past 2 years, child support payments must not be past due and must provide a copy of each applicant’s valid government issued identification at or before loan closing.

FILM INCENTIVE PROGRAM: Provides a transferable tax credit for qualified film production expenditures as an incentive to attract large scale film production in Alaska.

•    Must spend at least $100,000 in a consecutive 24 month period.
•    30 percent transferable tax credit on qualified expenditures.
•    Claim an extra 10% for wages paid to Alaska residents.
•    Claim an extra 2% if filming in a rural area.
•    Claim an extra 2% if filming between October 1 and March 30.
•    No salary cap per employee per production.

MICRO LOAN PROGRAM FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS: Provides lending opportunities to women-owned businesses which may or may not qualify for conventional funding. The loans also serve as an opportunity for women to establish credit for their businesses. Women entrepreneurs interested in a loan of up to $10,000 to start, develop or stabilize a viable business must:

• be a U.S. citizen
• be at least 21 years old and have no criminal record
• be 51% owner and operator of the small business
• have a solid, completed business plan for a viable enterprise
• show proof of entrepreneurship capabilities
• submit a complete loan package

ARIZONA

THE ARIZONA COMPETITIVENESS PACKAGE (HB 2001) is a brand new incentive package which includes the following new incentive programs and updates:

QUALITY JOBS TAX CREDIT PROGRAM: Provides Arizona income tax credits for companies creating new jobs and investing in Arizona. The credit is valued at up to $9,000 over a 3-year period per each new employee and offers a 5-year carry forward provision for any unused tax credits. Eligibility qualifications are different for rural and metro areas. The program is capped at 10,000 new jobs being claimed each year by all participants; whereas a taxpayer is limited to a maximum of 400 new jobs per year.

JOB TRAINING PROGRAM: Originally set to expire in 2011, the Arizona Competitiveness Package extended the program an additional five years until December 31, 2016 and modified the definition of a “rural area.”

$25 MILLION DEAL-CLOSING FUND: Arizona has taken a progressive position by offering attraction funds to companies meeting performance measures that benefit both the company and the citizens of Arizona. Utilization of the Arizona Competes Fund will generate investment in business projects that stimulate and promote industries providing high-wage and stable jobs. In order to assure a return on investment to the state, performance safeguards are a requirement of these funds. To request more information as it becomes available, please click here.

Arizona now offers a 100 PERCENT ELECTABLE SALES TAX FACTOR FOR MULTI-STATE CORPORATIONS. The new legislation increases the electable sales factor for multi-state corporations from 80 percent to100 percent. The increase is to occur in equal increments over a four year period, between 2014 and 2017. This provides businesses with the opportunity to reduce their Arizona tax burden.

30 PERCENT REDUCTION IN ARIZONA’S CORPORATE INCOME TAX RATE: Corporate Income Tax rates will be decreasing in Arizona from 6.97 percent down to 4.9 percent, between 2014 and 2017. This new 30 percent lower rate makes Arizona’s rate one of the five lowest in the country.

PROPERTY TAX REFORM:

• Business: Accelerated Depreciation schedules for prospective acquisitions of commercial personal property have also been improved. Five-year accelerated depreciation schedules have been increased to help companies recover their investments even faster.
• Personal Property Tax Exemption: 15 percent increase in personal property exemptions. The exemption on personal property is currently $67,000; it is being increased to $79,000 beginning in 2011 by using the Employment Cost Index (ECI) rather than the Gross Domestic Product Implicit Price Deflator (GDP IPD).
• Commercial Property: Reduced by 10 percent, the commercial property assessment ratio will be 18 percent by 2017. This continues a 10-year trend of reducing property taxes in Arizona.

EXTENSION OF THE ANGEL INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT PROGRAM: Originally set to expire in 2011, the program is now available until June 30, 2016. Additional improvements to the program include expanded company eligibility and beginning in 2014 elimination of capital gains tax on income derived from investments in companies certified by the ACA.

ENHANCEMENT OF THE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT TAX CREDIT PROGRAM: The R&D program now offers up to a 34 percent Arizona income tax credit for R&D made in conjunction with an Arizona public university. Tax credits are based upon R&D increases over prior years.

RENEWABLE ENERGY TAX INCENTIVE PROGRAM:  Encourages business investment that will produce high quality employment opportunities and enhance Arizona’s position as a center for production and use of renewable energy products. The program provides tax incentives to companies in the solar, wind, geothermal and other renewable energy industries who are expanding or locating in AZ. It offers two benefits; up to a 10 percent refundable income tax credit and up to a 75% reduction on real and personal property taxes.

ARIZONA INNOVATION ACCELERATOR FUND: An $18.2 million loan participation program funded through the U.S. Department of Treasury’s SSBCI and managed by the Arizona Commerce Authority. Its goal is to stimulate financing to small businesses and manufacturers, in collaboration with private finance partners, to foster business expansion and job creation in Arizona. The program ends December 2016. Loan proceeds are to be used for working capital, inventory, equipment purchase, and real property improvements but cannot be used for refinancing of existing debt or outstanding debt payments.

COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL SOLAR ENERGY TAX CREDIT PROGRAM: Stimulates the production and use of solar energy in commercial and industrial applications by subsidizing the initial cost of solar energy devices. The program achieves this goal by providing an Arizona income tax credit for the installation of solar energy devices in AZ business facilities. The tax credit is equal to 10% of the installed cost of the solar energy device not to exceed $25,000 in credits for one building in a single tax year and $50,000 total credits per business per tax year. Tax credits can be used to offset Arizona income tax liability; any unused credit amounts can be carried forward for a five-year period.

HEALTHY FOREST ENTERPRISE INCENTIVES PROGRAM (HF): Provides incentives for certified businesses that are primarily engaged in harvesting, initial processing or transporting of qualifying forest products. The program offers the following incentives:

• Transaction Privilege Tax Exemption (TPT Exemption) on purchased qualifying equipment and leased or rented qualifying equipment
• Use Tax Exemption – on qualifying equipment purchased out-of-state
• New Job Income Tax Credit – Arizona income tax credit earned over a three-year period for each net new job created, totaling up to $3,000 per employee

ARKANSAS

TARGETED BUSINESS INCENTIVES: “Targeted businesses” may qualify for three special incentives designed to help new, knowledge-based businesses in their early years. These discretionary incentives are for start-up companies in emerging sectors (Advanced materials and manufacturing systems; Agriculture, food and environmental sciences; Biotechnology, bioengineering and life sciences; Information technology; Transportation logistics; and Bio-based products):

• A refund of sales and use taxes paid on the purchase of building materials and machinery and equipment associated with the approved project
• A transferable income tax credit equal to 10 percent of payroll for up to five years
• A transferable income tax credit equal to 33 percent of eligible research and development expenditures

Companies must be less than 5-years old; have an annual payroll between $100,000 and $1 million; show proof of an equity investment of at least $250,000; pay at least 150 percent of the lesser of the state or county average hourly wage where the business is located; and meet requisite payroll thresholds.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES:

• University Based Research and Development – An eligible business that contracts with one or more Arkansas colleges or universities in performing research may qualify for a 33 percent income tax credit for qualified research expenditures.
• In-House Research and Development – New and existing eligible businesses that conduct “in-house” research that qualifies for federal research and development tax credits may qualify for in-house research income tax credits. The credit allowed is twenty percent of qualified research expenditures that exceed the base year, for a period of three years and the incremental increase in qualified research and expenditures for the succeeding two years. The income tax credit earned for in-house research and development may be used to offset 100 percent of the businesses’ state income tax liability.
• Research and Development in Area of Strategic Value – For qualifying businesses that invest in: 1) in-house research in an area of strategic value—fields having long-term economic or commercial value to the state, and that have been identified in the research and development plan; or 2) a research and development project offered by the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority. The income tax credit is equal to 33 percent of qualified research expenditures with a maximum of $50,000 per tax year.

TOURISM DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES: The Arkansas Tourism Development Act provides state sales and use tax credits and income tax credits to businesses initiating approved tourism attraction projects. Sales tax credits shall be determined in accordance with the following criteria:

• Eligible minimum project costs must be $1 million, except in high unemployment counties (Arkansas, Chicot, Clay, Crittenden, Dallas, Desha and Mississippi) where it is $500,000.
• Sales tax credits are calculated based upon 15 percent (25 percent in high unemployment counties) of eligible project cost for projects spending more than $1 million.
• Sales tax credit may be applied against the business’s increased sales tax liability resulting from the project.
• Other review criteria may be requested to determine whether the project meets the intent of the Act.

Additionally, eligible businesses may receive a state income tax credit equal to 4 percent of the annual payroll of each new, full-time, permanent employee. The income tax credits begin in the year in which the new employees are hired.

NON-PROFIT INCENTIVES: Provides an incentive payment (payroll rebate) equal to 4 percent of the payroll of the new, full-time, permanent employees for a period of up to five years. Eligible non-profit organizations must create a payroll for new, full-time, permanent employees of at least $500,000 and pay an average wage in excess of 110 percent of the state or county average wage (whichever is less) in the county in which the organization locates or expands. In addition, the non-profit organization must receive 75 percent of its income from out-of-state sources. In addition to the payroll rebate, this program also provides a sales and use tax refund for eligible projects that invest a minimum of $250,000. The refund is eligible for taxes paid on construction materials, and machinery and equipment associated with the approved project.

TAX BACK (SALES & USE TAX REFUND): Advantage Arkansas participants investing at least $100,000 are eligible for a refund of sales and use taxes for building materials and taxable machinery and equipment associated with the approved project. The business must sign a job-creation agreement under the Advantage Arkansas program within 24 months of signing the Tax Back agreement. Applicants for Tax Back must obtain an endorsement resolution from the local governing authority that authorizes the refund of its local taxes. Applicants must meet the same qualification criteria as Advantage Arkansas and must be approved by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.

INVESTARK (SALES & USE TAX CREDIT): Available to businesses established in Arkansas for at least two years that invest $5 million or more in plant or equipment for new construction, expansion or modernization.

The business must be approved for the program prior to beginning construction or incurring eligible project costs. The business must obtain a direct-pay sales and use tax permit from the State of Arkansas. All project expenditures must be incurred within four (4) years of the project eligibility date. All projects will be audited upon completion to confirm the tax credits.

ADVANTAGE ARKANSAS (INCOME TAX CREDIT): Offers a state income tax credit for job creation based on the payroll of new, full-time, permanent employees hired as a result of the project. The proposed average hourly wage of the new employees hired as a result of the project must be equal to or greater than the lowest county average hourly wage.

The Advantage Arkansas income tax credit is earned each tax year for a period of five years. The income tax credit cannot offset more than 50 percent of a business’ income tax liability in any one year and may be carried forward for nine years beyond the tax year in which the credit was first earned. The credit begins in the tax year in which the new employees are hired. Employees must be Arkansas taxpayers.

EQUITY INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT: Targeted toward new, technology-based businesses that pay wages in excess of the state or county average wage. This program allows an approved business to offer an income tax credit to investors purchasing an equity investment in the business. The income tax credits issued under this program are equal to 33 1/3 percent of the amount invested by an investor in an eligible business. The income tax credit earned may be used to offset 50 percent of the investor’s Arkansas income tax liability. Any unused credit may be carried forward for a period of nine years.

The following incentives may be offered at the discretion of the director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission in highly competitive situations:

CREATE REBATE PROGRAM: Provides annual cash payments based on a company’s annual payroll for new, full-time, permanent employees. The benefit depends on the tier in which the company locates. The incentive is available for non-retail businesses engaged in commerce for profit that fall into certain categories.

ARKPLUS: A state income tax credit program that provides tax credits of 10 percent of the total investment in a new location or expansion project. ArkPlus requires both a minimum investment and a minimum payroll of new, full-time, permanent employees hired as a result of the project, depending on the tier in which the business locates. Arkansas’s counties are ranked into four tiers based on poverty rate, population growth, per capita income and unemployment rate.

Total project expenditures must be incurred within four years of the date the project is approved by AEDC. New, full-time, permanent employees must be hired within 24 months of the date the financial agreement is signed. The income tax credits may be used to offset 50 percent of the Arkansas income tax liability in the tax year the credit is earned. Any unused credits may be carried forward for nine years beyond the tax year in which the credit was first earned.

CALIFORNIA

ENTERPRISE ZONES: Businesses located within the boundaries of an EZ are eligible for tax credits. The first major EZ tax credit is equivalent to the sales and use tax paid on the first $1,000,000 of Personal Income Tax or Corporations can earn sales tax credits on purchases of $20 million per year of qualified machinery and machinery parts. The second major EZ benefit takes the form of a credit equal to a percentage of the wages paid to a qualified employee. The credit is based on the lesser of the actual hourly wage or 150 percent of the state-established minimum wage. The credit is provided over a five-year period with 50 percent of the wages creditable in the first year of employment, 40 percent the second year, 30 percent the third year, 20 percent the fourth year, and 10 percent the fifth year. If the employee stays with the company for the entire 5-year period, the company receives credits totaling nearly $37,440 per qualified employee. If the employee is terminated prior to 270 days of employment, the credit is recaptured.

LAMBRA zones are a companion to EZs. The most notable differences in incentives include enhanced equipment purchase eligibility under the sales and use tax credit; an annual wage limitation of $2 million per year under the hiring tax credit; and redefinition of qualified employees to include displaced military or civilian employees of the former base.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TAX CREDIT: Designed to encourage businesses to increase their basic research and development activities in California, the research and development tax credit allows companies to receive a 15 percent credit against their bank and corporation tax liability for qualified in-house research expenses, and a 24 percent credit for basic research payments to outside organizations. This tax credit is applied to a tax payer’s state tax liability. The federal tax credit may be collected for the same research activity. Qualified research expenses generally include wages, supplies and contract research costs. To qualify, a taxpayer’s research must be conducted within California and include basic or applied research of scientific inquiry, original investigation for the advancement of scientific or engineering knowledge or improved function of a business component. The research activity must be conducted in California to qualify for the credit.

EMPOWERMENT ZONES: The federal government has designated sections of several California communities as Renewal Communities, Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities (RC, EZs and ECs). The cities of Fresno, Los Angeles, Santa Ana, San Francisco, Orange Cove, Parlier, and the counties of Imperial and Riverside have designated RCs, EZs or ECs. Benefits to businesses locating or expanding in these areas include:

• Employer wage credits of 20 percent for the first $15,000 in wages paid to an individual who resides in the EZ up to $3,000.
• Section 179 deduction allowing businesses to deduct all or part of the cost of eligible property (machinery, furniture, equipment, computers) up to an additional $20,000.
• Availability of low interest rate tax-exempt private activity bonds to finance industrial projects typically between $1-3 million (some zones have substantially larger limits), often with fewer restrictions than those normally associated with tax-exempt bond financing.
• Possible city business tax exemption.
• Postponement of capital gains on the sale of EZ/EC assets.

NET OPERATING LOSS CARRYOVER: California tax law allows businesses that experience a loss for the year to carry this loss forward to the next year in order to offset income in the following years. New businesses can carry over 100 percent of their losses for 20 years if the loss is in their first year of operation.

FOREIGN TRADE ZONES (FTZs): Secured areas legally outside of U.S. customs territory usually located in or near customs points of entry that allow entry of foreign or domestic merchandise without formal customs entry or government excise taxes. California FTZs are located in San Francisco, San Jose, Long Beach, Oakland, West Sacramento, San Diego, Palmdale, Los Angeles, Port Hueneme, Merced/Madera/Fresno counties, Stockton, Palm Springs, Santa Maria, Victorville, Eureka and Imperial, Butte and Riverside counties.

The NEW MARKETS TAX CREDIT (NMTC) Program permits taxpayers to receive a credit against federal income taxes for qualified equity investments in designated Community Development Entities (CDEs). Substantially all of the qualified equity investment must in turn be used by the CDE to provide investments in low-income communities. The credit provided to the investor totals 39 percent of the cost of the investment and is claimed over a seven-year period. In each of the first three years, the investor receives a credit equal to 5 percent of the total amount paid for the stock or capital interest at the time of purchase. For the final four years, the value of the credit is 6 percent annually.

FILM AND TV PRODUCTION TAX CREDIT: For the next five fiscal years, the California Film Commission will certify and administer a tax credit for new production in the state or production that returns to California from another state. The credit will be equal to 20 percent of expenditures in the state related to the film production, and 25 percent for production returning to the state and independent films. It will be capped at $100 million per year.

WORK OPPORTUNITY TAX CREDIT: The amount of the tax credit varies by target group. The tax credit for target groups A, B, C, D, E, G and H is 40 percent of qualified first year wages up to $6,000 if the individual is retained for at least 400 hours. If retained less than 400 hours but at least 120 hours a 25 percent tax credit is available on qualified first year wages up to $6,000. The exception is target group F (summer youth). The maximum amount of wages to which the tax credit may be applied shall not exceed $3,000.

The tax credit for target group I, long-term family assistance recipient, is 40 percent of first year qualified wages up to $10,000 and 50 percent of second year qualified wages up to $10,000. The individual must be retained at least 180 days or 400 hours. In certain circumstances you may be able to claim either the 40 percent of $6,000 tax credit or the 40 percent of $10,000 tax credit.

CALIFORNIA EMPLOYMENT TRAINING PANEL (ETP): Assists employer efforts to effectively train workers and maintain skilled workforces capable of responding to changing business and industry needs. Employers make decisions about their own training programs. ETP job training funds are available to all CA manufacturing companies, companies that face out-of-state competition and businesses that are expanding or relocating to California from other states or countries.

In addition to the manufacturing industry and California’s small business employers, the Panel also prioritizes nanotechnology, biotechnology and life sciences, goods movement and transportation logistics, aerospace and defense, advanced IT services, multimedia/entertainment, healthcare, construction, agriculture and renewables.

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BONDS (IDB): Provide a method for middle market manufacturers to access the private capital markets at tax-exempt rates. The IDB interest rate is significantly lower than bank financing because the interest paid to the investor is exempt from state and federal income tax, resulting in substantial savings to the borrower, depending on the amount financed. IDBs can be issued by the California Infrastructure & Economic Development Bank (I-Bank), cities, counties and joint powers authorities and do not constitute an obligation of either the state or the local government issuer.

A governmental entity will issue bonds and loan the proceeds to the company. The company’s obligation to repay the loan is secured by a direct-pay Letter of Credit from a bank rated ‘A’ or better. The interest rate on the bonds is adjustable and is reset weekly by the underwriter in its capacity as remarketing agent.

SALES & USE TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR CLEAN TECH MANUFACTURING (CAEATFA): The goal is to create a strong, new clean-tech industry within California that reduces green house gas emissions and creates new, long-term high value-added jobs. Approved businesses would be able to make tax-exempt clean-tech manufacturing equipment.

POLLUTION CONTROL FINANCING: The California Pollution Control financing Authority (CPCFA) provides tax-exempt bond financing for pollution control projects. Their Tax-Exempt Bond Financing Program gives CA businesses help with acquisition or construction of qualified pollution control, waste disposal or waste recovery facilities, and the acquisition and installation of new equipment.

They also offer a Sustainable Communities Grant and Loan Program that assists communities implementing “smart growth strategies,” and the CalReUSE Program that offers low-interest, forgivable loans to assist public and private partners in redeveloping contaminated “brownfields.” The California Capital Access Program (CalCAP) helps small-business borrowers obtain loans.

ALTERNATIVE & RENEWABLE FUEL & VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM: AB 118 authorizes the

Energy Commission to develop and deploy alternative and renewable fuels and advanced transportation technologies to help attain the state’s climate change policies. The statute allows the Energy Commission, with an annual program budget of approximately $100 million, to use grants, loans, loan guarantees, revolving loans and other appropriate measures to support projects that:

• Develop and improve alternative and renewable low-carbon fuels.
• Optimize alternative and renewable fuels for existing and developing engine technologies.
• Produce alternative and renewable low-carbon fuels in California.
• Decrease, on a full fuel cycle basis, the overall impact and carbon footprint of alternative and renewable fuels and increase sustainability.
• Expand fuel infrastructure, fueling stations and equipment.
• Improve light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicle technologies.
• Retrofit medium- and heavy-duty on-road and non-road vehicle fleets.
• Expand infrastructure connected with existing fleets, public transit and transportation corridors.
• Establish workforce training programs, conduct public education & promotion and create tech centers.

SMALL BUSINESS LOAN GUARANTEE: Allows a business to not only acquire a loan it could not otherwise obtain, but to establish a favorable credit history with a lender so that the business may obtain future financing on its own. Eligible applicants include any small business as defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration (typically businesses that employ one hundred people or less). Proceeds must be used primarily in California and for any standard business purpose beneficial to the applicant’s business, such as expansion into new facilities or purchase of new equipment. Guarantees can cover up to 90 percent of the loan amount, with the guaranteed portion of the loan not exceeding $500,000. The guaranteed percentage varies and the term of the loan guarantee may extend up to seven years:

MARKET DEVELOPMENT & EXPANSION GRANT PROGRAM: The Dept. of Conservation provides up to $20 million annually to increase beverage container recycling in CA and to improve processing and manufacturing with recycled aluminum, glass and plastic. It encourages projects that advance environmentally and economically sustainable containers, packaging and other products. The program supports R&D of new technologies and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions by strengthening “green” industries in the state.

BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECYCLING GRANT PROGRAM: The Dept. of Conservation provides funding annually in the form of grants for beverage container recycling and litter reduction programs. Projects typically sought include those that provide convenient beverage container recycling opportunities in CA; however, the focus may change with each new solicitation. Grant proposals are evaluated on criteria set forth in each year’s Grant Solicitation. There are no restrictions on who can apply for the grants.

BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECYCLING INFRASTRUCTURE LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM: The Dept. of Conservation provides continuous funding in the form of loan guarantees for up to $10 million for capital expenditures for new infrastructure that would add recycling capacity, re-use and/or remanufacture beverage container materials into new products. Uses: equipment costs, building and facilities, rent and utilities, travel, contractual services, salaries, and benefits, other operating and non-operating costs. Private companies, non-governmental organizations, governmental agencies, manufacturers and trade associations are eligible.

RECYCLING MARKET DEVELOPMENT ZONE (RMDZ) REVOLVING LOAN PROGRAM: Provides direct loans to eligible businesses that manufacture recycled raw materials, produce new recycled products or that reduce waste from the manufacture of a product. These loans promote market development for post consumer and secondary waste materials and divert waste from non-hazardous California landfills. Funds may be used to acquire equipment, make leasehold improvements, purchase recycled raw materials and inventory or acquire real property. Applicants may borrow a maximum of 75 percent of the cost of a project or $2 million. Terms are generally 10 years and low interest rates are fixed.

SBA (Small Business Administration) 504 LOANS: Marketed, processed, closed and serviced by Certified Development Corporations (CDC) that provide up to 90 percent of fixed-asset financing costs. The second mortgage, long-term, fixed-rate financing allows banks to participate in business expansion by reducing risk exposure. The benefit to the borrower is a lower down payment requirement (10 percent) and a longer-term, fixed-rate loan, which translates into reduced monthly payments. The maximum SBA debenture is $1,500,000 when meeting the job creation criteria or a community development goal. Generally, a business must create or retain one job for every $50,000 provided by the SBA except for “Small Manufacturers” which have a $100,000 job creation or retention goal. Eligible 504 loan uses include the purchase of land, existing buildings, new construction and the acquisition of machinery and equipment with a 10-year useful life.

The private sector participant finances 50 percent of the project cost and takes a first lien on assets pledged as collateral. The SBA takes a second lien on assets and finances up to 40 percent of the project cost, up to $1 million in some cases. Borrowers inject 10 percent in the form of cash or equity in real estate.

USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) sponsors “Business & Industry” guaranteed loans in rural communities and guarantees up to 80 percent on loans from $750,000 to $5 million and up to 70 percent on loans up to $10 million. Terms are typically seven years for working capital, 15 years on equipment and 30 years on real estate. Lenders negotiate their own fees and the USDA charges 2 percent of the guaranteed amount as a one-time fee. Most types of businesses qualify but the project must be in a rural area beyond the urbanized periphery surrounding a city of 50,000 or more.

LOCAL REVOLVING LOAN FUNDS (RLF): The U.S. Economic Development Administration, Dept. of Agriculture & Housing and Urban Development’s Community Dev. Block Grant Program typically capitalize RLFs. Their proceeds often provide critical capital to deserving small businesses, which in turn, provide needed jobs in urban and rural areas throughout CA. Certain businesses may be targeted for assistance and most often the loan will be provided as part of an overall package in the form of gap financing. RLFs are guided by policies that outline loan or loan guarantee sizes, uses, rates, terms, special conditions and participation levels.

For a complete list of California incentives, visit: www.business.ca.gov/RelocateorExpand/BusinessIncentives.aspx

COLORADO

AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURER NEW EMPLOYEE TAX CREDIT: Aircraft manufacturers located in a Colorado aviation development zone may qualify for a state income tax credit of $1,200 per new employee. An ‘aviation development zone’ is any airport in Colorado that is a public-use facility designated by the FAA in its latest National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems, which has registered with the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT). A business or portion of a business involved in the maintenance of aircraft is not eligible. If a facility performs both manufacturing and maintenance functions, only employees working exclusively in the manufacturing portion of the business may qualify for the credit.

BIOTECHNOLOGY SALES & USE TAX REFUND: Biotechnology industries may recover the sales and use taxes paid in the preceding year on equipment and supplies purchased to conduct biotechnology research and development. Qualified taxpayers may seek a refund every year for all Colorado sales and use taxes they paid on purchases of tangible personal property used directly and predominately in research and development of biotechnology. This includes property such as microscopes, chemical reagents, and software.

COLORADO FIRST/EXISTING INDUSTRY CUSTOMIZED TRAINING PROGRAMS: Jointly administered by the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT) and the Colorado Community College System (CCCS). Colorado First grants are for companies that are relocating to CO or existing companies that are undertaking a major expansion. Existing Industry grants are designed for CO companies that are implementing new technology to remain competitive and keep jobs in the state. Approved training is for transferable job skills that support both the company’s economic competitiveness by re-training its workers in new skills, while enhancing the workers’ resumes and long-term employment opportunities.

ENTERPRISE ZONE PROGRAM: Provides tax incentives to encourage businesses to locate and expand in designated economically distressed areas of the state. There are 16 Enterprise Zones and 2 sub-zones in Colorado.

LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE ASSISTANCE: Designed to create new permanent jobs and retain existing jobs, primarily for low- and moderate-income persons. It encourages new business development, expansions and retentions of businesses located in non-entitlement cities and counties (that shall minimize, to the extent practicable, displacement of existing businesses and jobs in neighborhoods). Funds may be provided for the construction and/or improvement of water lines & wastewater facilities, sewer lines, sewage treatment facilities, roadways, natural gas-line services, electric power services, railroad spurs, lighting, sidewalks and alternative power sources such as solar.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROPERTY TAX INCENTIVES (BUSINESS INCENTIVE AGREEMENTS): The Colorado Urban and Rural Enterprise Zone Act and House Bill 02-1399 enable local governments, at their discretion, to provide property tax credits or incentive payments (‘Business Incentive Agreements’ or ‘BIA’s’) based on the amount of increased property taxes for qualifying new business activity in their jurisdictions.

MANUFACTURING REVENUE BONDS: Provides favorable tax-exempt Private Activity Bond financing targeted to small manufacturers in Colorado. It provides for the financing of real estate, machinery and equipment associated with expansion projects specific to manufacturers. Borrowers must meet all eligibility thresholds and federal tax code requirements and often must compete for available volume, which is capped statewide under federal rules.

STATE OF COLORADO BUSINESS LOAN FUNDS: Every year, the State of Colorado receives an allocation of federal funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to use for both community development and economic development efforts in the state. The funds are allocated to the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), which uses the funds for community development projects such as housing and public facilities. The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) receives approximately 1/3 of the annual allocation of funds to use specifically for economic development efforts statewide.

OEDIT uses its allocation of funds to capitalize the state’s Business Loan Funds. Currently, the state has 15 Business Loan Fund locations which have service areas covering the majority of the rural areas of the state. The state’s program does not cover any of the metropolitan or ‘entitlement’ cities in Colorado (since these communities receive their own allocation of funds).

The 15 programs are responsible for promoting and fostering economic development efforts at the local level by providing financial assistance in the form of loans and loan guarantees to businesses in their respective regions. The loan program is locally driven, with each loan fund having its own local loan review committee and local Board of Directors who approve the types of businesses they feel will have a positive economic impact in the community. All funding decisions (of $100,000 or less) are made at the local level, with final oversight approval provided by OEDIT. All funding requests over $100,000 also require final approval by the Governor’s Financial Review Committee.

COLORADO ENTERPRISE FUND (CEF): Founded in 1976 as a non-profit lending source specializing in loans that range from $1,000 to $250,000 to support small and startup business by offering loans, guidance, training and resources. Many small businesses that are not able to receive traditional bank financing can get support through CEF.

COLORADO FILM INCENTIVE PROGRAM: Offers producers a 10 percent cash rebate for production costs taking place in the State. It covers feature films (both independent and studio), television pilots, television series (broadcast and cable), television commercials, music videos, industrials, documentaries and video game design and creation. To qualify for the program a Colorado production company must have qualified in-state spending of at least $100,000 on the project while an out-of-state production company must have at least $250,000 in qualifying expenses. In addition to the qualifying expenses, at least 25 percent of the workforce on every project must be Colorado residents in order for the project to meet state incentive guidelines.

The JOB CREATION PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE FUND (PIF): Provides a performance‐based incentive payment to qualifying companies that have created and hired net new full‐time permanent jobs paying above average wages. The employer must maintain all of the new jobs for at least one year in order to claim an incentive from $1,500 to $4,500 per net new full‐time job. The program is designed to support and encourage new business development, business expansions and relocations that have generated new jobs throughout the state. Due to the overwhelming success of this program, funding is limited. Please contact program staff or visit our web site at www.AdvanceColorado.com, Business Finance, to determine program status.

JOB GROWTH INCENTIVE TAX CREDIT: Provides a state income tax credit to businesses undertaking job creation projects that would not occur in Colorado without this program. Businesses have to create at least 20 net new jobs (full‐time equivalents) in the state (if located in an Enhanced Rural Enterprise Zone must create at least 5) during the credit period (60 consecutive months where the business may qualify for an annual tax credit) with an average yearly wage of at least 110 percent of the county average based on where the business is located. All net new jobs must be maintained for at least one year after the positions are hired to qualify for the minimum amount of tax credits. All net new jobs must be maintained for one year after the credit period to qualify for the maximum tax credits that may be available to a business. The EDC has oversight authority but a business should work with the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) to introduce a project to the EDC in order to determine if the EDC will consider an application from the business for the project at a later date. A business may not start the proposed project in Colorado (including locating or expanding in the state, hiring employees related to this project or making material expenditures for this project) until a final application has been submitted and approved.

Businesses already receiving an incentive from the EDC’s Strategic Fund or Performance Incentive Fund may not receive an incentive from the Job Growth Incentive Tax Credit Program for the same net new jobs.

BIOSCIENCE DISCOVERY EVALUATION GRANT PROGRAM: Created by the Colorado legislature in 2006 to strengthen the bioscience industry and the creation of quality jobs within the state. Grants are provided to Offices of Technology Transfer at qualified, Colorado non‐profit research institutions for advancing bioscience research toward commercialization. Grants are also available to qualified, early‐stage Colorado bioscience companies that are commercializing technologies founded at one of Colorado’s qualified research institutions. Additionally OEDIT is using some of the funds to develop infrastructure that results from the cooperation of industry and research institutions, and that will support the development of the industry throughout the state.

COLORADO EXPORT DEVELOPMENT GRANT: Attempts to increase Colorado companies’ ability to export products and services to global markets. The Colorado International Trade Office (ITO) funds this grant to assist Colorado exporters of products and services in all sectors of manufacturing and services, excluding agricultural commodities and food products (agriculture companies may contact the Colorado Department of Agriculture at 303‐239‐4114 to learn about assistance specifically for this industry sector). The CEDG will provide funding for Colorado small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) (200 or fewer employees worldwide) that may be applied towards travel expenses (airfare/hotel), trade show exhibition and/or attendance, business matchmaking services or other direct expenses for developing a new target market.

CONNECTICUT

URBAN AND INDUSTRIAL SITE REINVESTMENT TAX CREDIT: Dollar-for-dollar corporate tax credit of up to 100 percent for an investment up to a maximum of $100 million in an urban area or an industrial project; minimum investment is $5 million in distressed communities and $50 million in all other communities.

FILM PRODUCTION & DIGITAL MEDIA TAX CREDIT: A tax credit equal to 30 percent of qualified digital media and motion picture production, pre-production and post-production expenses in the state that exceed $50,000.

JOB EXPANSION TAX CREDIT (JET): Connecticut businesses can be eligible for tax credits of $500 per month for each new full-time job created. If the new employee is receiving vocational rehabilitative services from the Bureau of Rehabilitative Services, receiving unemployment benefits or is a veteran employee who, at the time of hiring by the taxpayer, is a member of, was honorably discharged from or released under honorable conditions from active service in the armed forces, then the tax credit is increased to $900 per month.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TAX CREDITS: A tax credit equal to 20 percent of the R&D expenditures in Connecticut in the current income year exceeding R&D expenditures of the prior taxable year; unused R&D credits can be carried forward and, for companies with gross income of $70 million or less, can be sold to the state for 65 percent of their value; credit equal to 100 percent of property taxes owed and paid on electronic data processing hardware peripheral equipment and software; credit may be applied against certain other Connecticut taxes.

CORPORATE BUSINESS TAX CREDITS: Financial institutions constructing new facilities and adding new employees can receive a credit of as much as 50 percent of the tax for up to 10 years; may be extended for an additional 5 years; based on size of the facility and level of employment.

CORPORATE BUSINESS TAX EXEMPTIONS: Available for:

• All insurance companies, Connecticut incorporated and non-Connecticut incorporated
• Corporate income, insurance premium and sales and use taxes for certain banks, insurers and investment companies locating in the Hartford Financial Service Export Zone that conduct all business with non-U.S. persons
• Capital gains from the sale of protected open space or Class I or II water company land to the state or certain entities
• Non-U.S. corporations whose sole activities in CT are trading stocks, securities or commodities of their own account

SMALL BUSINESS EXPRESS PROGRAM (EXP): Provides loans and grants to Connecticut’s small business to spur job creation and growth. Small businesses employing not more than 50 employees are eligible.  Assistance focuses on:

• Access to capital (EXP Revolving Loan Fund)
• Incentive loan and grants to create jobs (EXP Job Creation Incentive & EXP Job Creation Matching Grant)

SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE REVOLVING LOAN PROGRAM: Provides Connecticut’s small businesses with the financial resources they need to operate and grow in the State.  Connecticut-based businesses with less than 100 employees are eligible for loans and lines of credit of up to $500,000.

DELAWARE

The state of Delaware takes a comprehensive approach in supporting businesses and entrepreneurs of all sizes and has special programs that play to Delaware’s strengths, including:

The DELAWARE STRATEGIC FUND: represents the primary funding source used by the Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO) to provide customized financial assistance to businesses. For businesses considering locating in the State of Delaware, financial assistance may be provided in the form of low interest loans, convertible loans to grants, or other creative instruments to support the attraction of businesses hiring Delawareans.

SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR): The Delaware Strategic Fund represents the primary funding source used by for SBIR Bridge Grants. The SBIR Matching Grant program provides grants funds to businesses located in the State that have obtained a federal SBIR Grant.

BROWNFIELD GRANT PROGRAM: The Delaware Strategic Fund represents the primary funding source used for the Brownfield Grant program that helps reduce the capital expenditure of redeveloping a Brownfield site where at least five jobs will be created.

TAX CREDITS FROM NEW ECONOMY JOBS PROGRAM: Eligible businesses receive an initial 25 percent rebate on withholding taxes. To qualify, the business must add at least 50 new jobs, each of which must have an annual salary of at least $100,000. Participating businesses may receive a maximum rebate of up to 40 percent after 250 qualifying employees have been hired and the business operates within targeted growth zones, incorporated municipalities or former Brownfields. Qualifying firms are eligible for credits for a ten-year period.

TARGETED INDUSTRY TAX INCENTIVES: Businesses in targeted industries are eligible for tax credits of $400 for every $100,000 of capital investment, as well as $400 for every new job created. This credit can be used for a period of up to ten years. It requires a minimum capital investment of $100,000, which may not exceed 50 percent of annual pre-tax liability. Select commercial businesses may also qualify for a ten-year reduction in gross receipt taxes. Targeted industries include manufacturing, wholesaling, computer Processing, engineering, computer credit, aviation, telecommunications, laboratories and scientific research.

TARGETED LOCATION TAX INCENTIVES: Targeted industries (as defined above) that expand or relocate to targeted locations are eligible for corporate income tax credits of $650 for every $100,000 of capital investment, as well as $650 for every job created. This credit can be used for a period of up to ten years. Select commercial businesses may also qualify for a ten-year reduction in gross receipt taxes. Targeted locations include Targeted Census Tracts*, Government Owned Property, Foreign Trade Zones and Non-profit Owned Property for Economic Development

GREEN INDUSTRIES: Green manufacturers may be eligible for tax credits if they reduce chemical waste by 20 percent, reduce other waste by 50 percent, use 25 percent recycled materials in their manufacturing and take other steps to remove materials from Delaware’s solid waste stream.

BROWNFIELD TAX CREDITS: Businesses that develop property on former Brownfields and make more than a $100,000 capital investment are eligible for tax credits. Brownfields in targeted locations are eligible for a $900 credit for every $100,000 of capital investment and $900 for every job created. Those in non-targeted areas are eligible for a $400 credit for every $100,000 of capital investment and $400 for every job created.

PUBLIC UTILITY TAX REBATES: Tax Credits are available for a rebate of 50 percent of the public utilities tax imposed on new or increased consumption of gas and electricity for five years. The public utilities tax rate is 4.25 percent. The utility tax on the consumption of electric by licensed manufacturers and food or agribusiness processors is reduced to 2 percent. Additionally, electricity consumed in the manufacturing of automobiles is exempt from utility taxes.

BUSINESS FINDERS FEE (BFF): Existing Delaware companies that successfully recruit other companies to the state are eligible for a tax credit of $500 for each new job that the new company brings. This is an innovative new program that will help strengthen local supply networks and sectors.

LIMITED INVESTMENT FOR FINANCIAL TRACTION (LIFT): This loan program allows participating small businesses to defer interest payments on their line of credit for a two-year period. Eligible businesses must meet the following requirements:
· Have been in business for at least three years
· Have an existing line of credit with a Delaware commercial bank
· Have between 3 – 50 employees

SMALL BUSINESS ENERGY AND FACILITIES REVOLVING FUND: Created by a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce and matched with funds from the Delaware Strategic Fund, this fund provides loans at market or below-market interest rates to businesses that will create or retain jobs in industries that promote energy efficiency or recycling.

TAX-EXEMPT FINANCING: The Delaware Economic Development Authority (DEDA) provides statewide financial assistance to new or expanding businesses, governmental units and certain organizations that are exempt from federal income taxation (collectively, “assisted persons”) by issuing tax-exempt bonds and lending the proceeds of such bonds to these assisted persons. Tax-exempt bonds bear lower interest rates than comparable taxable bonds, because the interest paid to bond holders is exempt from federal and Delaware income taxes. DEDA is able to pass on this lower interest rate to the assisted persons. DEDA does not guarantee the payment of principal or interest on the bonds, and the bonds are not backed by the full faith and credit of the State. Tax exempt financing may be cost effective for projects involving the issuance of more than $1,250,000.

DELAWARE ACCESS PROGRAM: Designed to give banks a flexible and extremely non-bureaucratic tool to make business loans that are somewhat riskier than a conventional bank loan, in a manner consistent with safety and soundness. It is designed to use a small amount of public resources to generate a large amount of private bank financing, thus providing access to bank financing for many Delaware businesses that might otherwise not be able to obtain such access. Based on a risk-pooling concept, the approach is fundamentally different from the traditional type of insurance or guarantee program, such as the Federal Small Business Administration 7(a) Program, which guarantees a percentage of a loan on a loan-by-loan basis. When a bank makes a loan under the Program, the borrower pays a one-time premium charge, which is matched by a bank premium payment. DEDA then matches the combined total of the borrower’s payment and the bank’s payment. The borrower’s premium is one of the terms of the loan to be worked out privately between the bank and the borrower.

BLUE COLLAR TRAINING GRANT: Available to help Delaware businesses provide customized training programs to upgrade and/or retrain their employees and provide financial assistance to full time employees.

FLORIDA

QUALIFIED TARGET INDUSTRY TAX REFUND (QTI): Available for new or expanding companies that create high wage jobs in targeted high value-added industries. It includes refunds on corporate income, sales, ad valorem, intangible personal property, insurance premium and certain other taxes. Pre-approved applicants who create jobs in Florida receive tax refunds of $3,000 per net new Florida full-time equivalent job created, $6,000 in an Enterprise Zone or Rural Community (county). For businesses paying 150 percent of the average annual wage, add $1,000 per job; for businesses paying 200 percent of the average annual salary, add $2,000 per job; businesses falling within a designated high impact sector or increasing exports of its goods through a seaport or airport in the state by at least 10 percent in value or tonnage in each year of receiving a QTI refund, add $2,000 per job; projects locating in a designated Brownfield area (Brownfield Bonus) can add $2,500 per job. The local community where the company locates contributes 20 percent of the total tax refund. There is a cap of $5 million per single qualified applicant in all years, and no more than 25 percent of the total refund approved may be taken in any single fiscal year.

QUALIFIED DEFENSE AND SPACE CONTRACTOR TAX REFUND (QDSC): Florida defense, homeland security and space business contractors are given a competitive edge in consolidating contracts or subcontracts, acquiring new contracts or converting contracts to commercial production. Pre-approved applicants creating or retaining jobs in Florida may receive tax refunds of $3,000 per net new Florida full-time equivalent job created or retained; $6,000 in an Enterprise Zone or rural county. For businesses paying 150 percent of the average annual wage, add $1,000 per job; for businesses paying 200 percent of the average annual salary, add $2,000 per job.

CAPITAL INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT (CITC): Used to attract and grow capital-intensive industries, it is an annual credit, provided for up to 20 years, against the corporate income tax. Eligible projects are those in designated high-impact portions of the following sectors: clean energy, biomedical technology, financial services, information technology, silicon technology, transportation equipment manufacturing, or be a corporate headquarters facility. Projects must also create a minimum of 100 jobs and invest at least $25 million in eligible capital costs. Eligible capital costs include all expenses incurred in the acquisition, construction, installation, and equipping of a project from the beginning of construction to the commencement of operations. The level of investment and the project’s Florida corporate income tax liability for the 20 years following commencement of operations determines the amount of the annual credit.

HIGH IMPACT PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE GRANT (HIPI): A negotiated grant provided to pre-approved applicants in certain high-impact sectors designated by the Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development (OTTED). In order to participate in the program, the project must operate within designated high-impact portions of the following sectors: clean energy, corporate headquarters, financial services, life sciences, semiconductors and transportation equipment manufacturing; create at least 50 new full-time equivalent jobs (if a R&D facility, create at least 25 new full-time equivalent jobs) in Florida in a three-year period; and make a cumulative investment in the state of at least $50 million (if a R&D facility, make a cumulative investment of at least $25 million) in a three-year period. Once recommended by Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) and approved by OTTED, the high impact business is awarded 50 percent of the eligible grant upon commencement of operations and the balance of the awarded grant once full employment and capital investment goals are met.

QUICK RESPONSE TRAINING PROGRAM (QRT): Employer-driven and designed to assist new value-added businesses and provide existing Florida businesses the necessary training for expansion. A state educational facility is available to assist with application and program development or delivery. The educational facility will also serve as fiscal agent for the project. The company may use in-house training, outside vendor training programs or the local educational entity to provide training. Reimbursable expenses include: instructors’/trainers’ wages, curriculum development and textbooks/manuals.

INCUMBENT WORKER TRAINING (IWT): A program that provides training to currently employed workers to keep Florida’s workforce competitive in a global economy and to retain existing businesses. It is available to all Florida businesses that have been in operation for at least one year prior to application and require skills upgrade training for existing employees. Priority is given to businesses in targeted industries, Enterprise Zones, HUB Zones, Inner City Distressed areas, Rural Counties and areas, and Brownfield areas.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TRANSPORTATION FUND: Commonly referred to as the “Road Fund,” it is an incentive tool designed to alleviate transportation problems that adversely impact a specific company’s location or expansion decision. The award amount is based on the number of new and retained jobs and the eligible transportation project costs, up to $3 million. The award is made to the local government on behalf of a specific business for public transportation improvements.

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY INCENTIVES

• Florida offers increased incentive awards and lower wage qualification thresholds in its rural counties. Additionally, a RURAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REVOLVING LOAN FUND and RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUND exist to meet the special needs that businesses encounter in rural counties.

• URBAN INCENTIVES: Florida offers increased incentive awards and lower wage qualification thresholds for businesses locating in many urban core/inner city areas that are experiencing conditions affecting the economic viability of the community and hampering the self-sufficiency of the residents.

• ENTERPRISE ZONE INCENTIVES: An assortment of tax incentives to businesses that choose to create employment within an enterprise zone—a specific geographic area targeted for economic revitalization. These include a sales and use tax credit, tax refund for business machinery and equipment used in an enterprise zone, sales tax refund for building materials used in an Enterprise Zone and a sales tax exemption for electrical energy used in an enterprise zone.

• Florida offers incentives to businesses that locate in Brownfield sites— underutilized industrial or commercial sites due to actual or perceived environmental contamination. The BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT BONUS REFUND is available to encourage Brownfield redevelopment and job creation. Approved applicants receive tax refunds of up to $2,500 for each job created.

• JOBS FOR THE UNEMPLOYED TAX CREDIT PROGRAM (JUTC): Provides incentives to businesses throughout Florida to hire qualified employees who were previously unemployed. The program is available to all businesses that are identified as a “target industry”. The business may receive a tax credit of $1,000 for every employee hired as of July 1, 2010. The business may claim only new hires that were previously unemployed for a minimum of 30 days, and that remain employed after a 12-month period at an average of 36 hours per week. This program will run until June 30, 2012 with a limit of $10 million available for tax credits.

• LOCAL GOVERNMENT DISTRESSED AREA MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM (LDMG): Assists local governments in attracting and retaining targeted businesses. Applications are accepted from local governments/municipalities that plan on offering financial assistance to a specific business in the area. These targeted businesses are required to create at least 15 full-time jobs and the project must either be new to Florida; expanding operations in Florida; or leaving Florida unless it receives local and state government assistance. The amount awarded by the State will equal $50,000 or 50 percent of the local government’s assistance amount, whichever is less, and be provided following the commitment and payment of that assistance.

• MANUFACTURING AND SPACEPORT INVESTMENT INCENTIVE PROGRAM (MSII): Encourages capital investment and job creation in manufacturing and spaceport activities in Florida. Applications are accepted by eligible businesses from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2012. A tax refund up to $50,000 will be given on the State Sales and Use Tax paid for eligible equipment purchases. Purchase cost must exceed a business’ total expenditures on eligible equipment purchased and placed into service in this state during the 2008 tax year.

GEORGIA

SINGLE FACTOR APPORTIONMENT: 2005, Georgia became the first state in the Southeast to adopt a “Single Factor Gross Receipts” apportionment formula. This formula treats a company’s gross receipts, or sales in Georgia, as the only relevant factor in determining the portion of that company’s income subject to Georgia’s 6 percent corporate income tax. This significantly reduces the effective rate of Georgia income taxation of companies with substantial sales to customers outside the state. In addition, GA does not use the so-called “Throw Back Rule,” which many states use to tax income from sales of goods or services to out-of-state  customers if the customer’s state does not already tax that income.

CORPORATE TAX CREDITS

• QUALITY JOBS TAX CREDIT: Companies that create at least 50 jobs in a 12 month period where each job pays wages at least 110 percent of the county average are eligible to receive a tax credit of $2,500-$5,000 per job, per year, for up to five years, based on a scaled system. New quality jobs created within seven years can qualify for the credit. Credits may be used to offset the company’s payroll withholding once all other tax liability has been exhausted, and may be carried forward for 10 years.

• JOB TAX CREDIT: Companies and their headquarters that are engaged in strategic industries such as manufacturing, warehousing & distribution, processing, telecommunications, broadcasting, tourism and R&D may qualify. Depending on the community’s tier, companies must create between five and 25 net new full-time jobs in the first year. Credits may also be accrued for additional jobs created in years 2-5. Jobs created outside of year five may not be claimed unless a new threshold for job creation (year 1) is met. Qualified companies can claim a tax credit with a value of $750—$3,500 per job, per year, beginning with the first taxable year in which the new job is created and for the following four years the job is maintained. An additional $500 credit is offered in counties that participate in a multi-county Joint Development Authority. Increased job tax credits, equal to Tier 1 credits, are also allowed for companies that create jobs in Less Developed Census Tracts, Opportunity Zones (OZ) or Military Zones (MZ). OZs, MZs and Georgia’s 40 least developed counties offer job tax credits to businesses of any nature. Credits may be taken against 100 percent of state corporate income tax liability in Tier 1 & 2 counties, or 50 percent of state corporate income tax liability in Tier 3 & 4 counties.

• PORT TAX CREDIT BONUS: Available to taxpayers who increase imports or exports through a Georgia port by 10 percent over the previous or base year. Base year port traffic must be at least 75 net tons, five containers or 10 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units); if not, the percentage increase in port traffic will be calculated using 75 net tons, five containers, or 10 TEUs as the base. The port tax credit bonus can be used with either the Job or the Investment Tax Credit program, provided that the company meets the requirements for one of those programs. Port Tax Credits may be used to offset up to 50 percent of the company’s corporate income tax liability. Cannot be utilized with the Quality Jobs Tax Credit and can only be used in Opportunity Zones, Military Zones and Less Developed Census Tracts in limited cases by existing large distribution centers.

o     Port Tax Credit bonus for JOB Tax Credits – an additional $1,250/job credit for taxpayers with qualified increases in shipments through a GA port. The $1,250 is added to the Job Tax Credit.

o      Port Tax Credit bonus for INVESTMENT Tax Credit – increases the Investment Tax Credit to the equivalent of a Tier 1 location regardless of the tier level. The port bonus would therefore be equal to 5 percent of the qualified investment in expenses directly related to manufacturing or providing telecommunication services, with the credit increasing to 8 percent for recycling, pollution control and defense conversion.

• RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT TAX CREDIT: An incentive to new and existing business entities performing qualified R&D in Georgia. Companies may claim a 10 percent tax credit of increased R&D expenses subject to a base amount calculation: The base amount = Current Year Georgia Gross Receipts x (the average of the ratios of the company’s qualified GA research expenses to GA gross receipts for the preceding three taxable years) OR 0.300, whichever is less. For new Georgia companies or for companies with no prior R&D expenditures in the state, the base amount is 30 percent of the current year’s GA gross receipts.The credit is determined by taking the current year’s qualified R&D expenses, subtracting the base amount and multiplying by 10 percent. The credit is applied to 50 percent of the company’s net GA income tax liability after all other credits have been applied. In the first five years of a newly formed business entity in GA, any excess R&D credit can then be applied to the company’s state payroll withholding. Unused credits can be carried forward up to 10 years from the close of the taxable year in which the qualified research expenses were made.

• MEGA PROJECT TAX CREDIT: Companies that employ at least 1,800 net new employees, and either invest a minimum of $450 million or have a minimum annual payroll of $150 million may claim a $5,250 per job, per year tax credit for the first five years of each net new job position. Credits are first applied to state corporate income tax, with excess credits eligible for use against payroll withholding. Credits may be carried forward for 10 years.

• CHILD CARE TAX CREDITS: Employers who purchase or build qualified child care facilities are eligible to receive GA income tax credits equal to 100 percent of the cost of construction—the credit is spread over 10 years [10 percent each year]. Unused credits from the purchase or construction of a child care facility can be carried forward three years. The child care facility must be licensed by the state.Employers who provide or sponsor child care for employees are eligible for a credit against Georgia income tax equal to 75 percent of the employer’s direct costs. Credits that are related to the operating cost of the facility may be carried forward five years. All child care credits can be used against 50 percent of the taxpayer’s income tax liability in a given year.

• WORK OPPORTUNITY TAX CREDIT PROGRAM (WOTC): Coordinated by the Georgia Dept. of Labor, it is a federal tax credit incentive that the U.S. Congress provides to private-sector businesses for hiring individuals from nine target groups who have consistently faced significant barriers to employment. Among others, target groups include certain TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) and food stamp recipients, and certain residents of an Empowerment Zone or Rural Renewal County. Participating companies are compensated by being able to reduce their federal income tax liability with a tax credit between $1,200 and $9,000 per qualified employee, depending on the target group. See www.doleta.gov/business/incentives/opptax/

TAX EXEMPTIONS

• SALES & USE TAX EXEMPTION: Qualified equipment purchases or leases are exempt from sales tax when the equipment purchased is used in the manufacturing process. Under certain conditions, primary material handling equipment (in warehouses and distribution centers), computer equipment and Class 100 (or less) clean room machinery, equipment and materials can also be exempted.

• INVENTORY TAX EXEMPTION: Effective January 1, 2011, business inventory is exempt from state property taxes (0.25 mills). Many Georgia counties also exempt from property tax up to 100 percent of qualified raw material, work-in-process and finished goods inventory under Georgia’s local-option “Freeport” law. In most of these counties, distribution center and warehouse inventories are exempt if the inventory is destined to be shipped out of state.

• FOREIGN TRADE ZONE (FTZ): Allows qualified companies to defer, decrease or eliminate duties on materials imported from overseas that are used in products assembled in Georgia.

HIRING, TRAINING & EDUCATION

• HIRING ASSISTANCE: Georgia’s Department of Labor (GDOL) assists companies in recruitment by posting job notices, collecting and screening applications and/or résumés, providing interview space, scheduling interviews and hosting job fairs. GDOL will work with private employment agencies that list jobs with the state.

• QUICK START EMPLOYEE TRAINING: Provides customized training for new employees in skill-based jobs at no cost to qualifying companies. The training program is given to the company for its future use. Quick Start provides training space, instructors and all needed materials related to the program, potentially saving companies millions of dollars in training costs. See georgiaquickstart.org

• GEORGIA WORK READY: Available for companies meeting minimum hiring requirements. GA companies can implement Work Ready two ways—through job profiling and Work Ready Certificates. Work Ready job profiles identify the job tasks and skill levels necessary to be successful in any job. Companies match those profiles to employees’ Work Ready Certificates, which measure core skills, to ensure the right person is placed in the right job. See www.gaworkready.org

• RETRAINING TAX CREDIT: A company’s direct investment in training can be claimed as a tax credit. It is available to all GA businesses that file a GA income tax return. 50 percent of the employer’s direct cost, up to $500 per full-time employee, per approved training program, may be claimed as a credit. The total amount cannot exceed $1,250 per employee per year. Training programs must be approved by the Technical College System of Georgia and must be for quality and productivity enhancements and certain software technologies. This tax credit can be used to offset up to 50 percent of a company’s state corporate income tax liability. Unused credits can be carried forward for 10 years. These credits can be combined with other tax credits.

• GEORGIA’S INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM (ICAPP): The University System of Georgia’s economic development program created by the Board of Regents in 1995 that connects the intellectual resources of GA’s 35 public college and universities to the state’s business community. ICAPP staff and a team of economic development leaders from each campus help Georgia businesses tap into the University System of GA for college-educated employees, access to the latest research and business and operations advice. See icapp.org

ASSISTANCE FOR SMALL BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURS

• ANGEL INVESTOR TAX CREDIT: An income tax credit for qualified investors who invest in certain qualified businesses in Georgia in calendar years 2011, 2012 and 2013. The credit is claimed two years later, in 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively. The credit is 35 percent of the investment with an individual investor cap of $50,000 per year. The aggregate annual cap for this program is $10 million. The qualified investor must get approval from the Georgia Department of Revenue before claiming the credit.

• SMALL BUSINESS TAX RELIEF: Allows small businesses making capital investments of less than $410,000 to write off up to $102,000 of those expenses. For capital investments greater than $410,000, the tax write-off is reduced dollar for dollar.

• ENTREPRENUER AND SMALL BUSINESS LOAN (ESB) GUARANTEE PROGRAM: In partnership with the OneGeorgia Authority, the state can provide loan guarantees to spur entrepreneurial growth in specified rural communities throughout GA. The guarantee amounts can range between $35,000 and $250,000, can be used for hard assets or for start-up and working capital and require a 10 percent cash equity injection by the borrower. See onegeorgia.org/programs/esb

• WORK READY REIMBURSEMENTS: Businesses employing fewer than 50 people are eligible to receive $250 (up to $1,250) per certified Work Ready individual hired to assist with hiring and training costs. See www.gaworkready.org

ASSISTANCE FOR GEORGIA’S EXISTING INDUSTRIES

• INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT: Existing Georgia companies that have operated a manufacturing or telecommunications support facility in the state for at least three years, and that make a minimum $50,000 additional qualified capital investment, may claim from 1 to 5 percent (depending on tier status) of the new investment directly related to manufacturing or providing telecommunications services as a tax credit. Higher credits (3 to 8 percent, depending on tier status) are available for investments in recycling or pollution control equipment and for defense plant manufacturing conversion to a new product. Taxpayers must choose either the investment tax credit or the job tax credit. This credit may be applied against 50 percent of state corporate income tax liability and carried forward for 10 years.

• OPTIONAL INVESTMENT TAX CREDITS: Can be taken in lieu of the investment tax credit. The credits range from 6 to 10 percent of qualified capital investment. This credit is available to taxpayers that qualify for investment tax credits, with the minimum investment ranging from $5 million to $20 million. A taxpayer can use the tax credits up to the calculated amount for a given year. The credit may be claimed up to 10 years after the year the property was first placed in service, provided the property remains in service. The optional investment tax credit is a calculated risk. Without large increases each year in income tax liability, the usable tax credit could be very small and possibly zero.

• CENTERS OF INNOVATION: Georgia’s six Centers of Innovation provide unique, technology-oriented support to businesses and start-ups in the areas of Aerospace, Agribusiness, Energy, Life Sciences, Logistics and Advanced Manufacturing. Each center provides direct access to university and technical college applied research, commercialization resources, technology connections, matching grant funds, potential investor networks and key government agencies. Client companies are connected with industry-specific experts who are on the leading edge of technology and new ideas. See georgiainnovation.org

• GEORGIA FILM TAX CREDIT: The Georgia Entertainment Industry Investment Act offers an across-the-board flat tax credit of 20 percent based on a minimum investment of $500,000 on qualified productions in the state. An additional 10 percent uplift can be earned by including an imbedded animated GA logo on approved projects. Qualified expenditures include materials, services and labor. Eligible productions include feature films; television movies, pilots or series; commercials; music videos; and certain interactive projects including types of animation, special effects and video game development. The minimum expenditure threshold can be met with one or the total of multiple projects aggregated. The income tax credit may be used against GA income tax liability or the company’s GA withholding. If the production company chooses, they may make a one-time sale or transfer of the tax credit to one or more Georgia taxpayers.

HAWAII

HAWAII SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH PROGRAM (SBIR): A $2.2 billion three-phased Federal program that provides small businesses the opportunity to win federal R&D awards. Hawaii-based companies that receive Phase I feasibility study SBIR awards can apply for funds from HTDC’s Hawaii SBIR Matching Grant program. The matching grants provide up to $25,000 to assist companies with enhancing their Phase I project development, compete for the more lucrative Phase II awards to typically conduct prototype development, and ultimately reach successful commercialization.

MOTION PICTURE, DIGITAL MEDIA & FILM PRODUCTON INCOME TAX CREDIT: A refundable tax credit based on a production company’s Hawaii expenditures while producing a qualified film, television, commercial or digital media project. The credit equals 15 percent of qualified production costs incurred on Oahu, and 20 percent on the neighbor islands (Big Island, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai).

ROYALTIES TAX EXEMPTION: Royalties derived from performing arts products are excluded from a Hawaii taxpayer’s income and not subject to state income tax.

HAWAII ENTERPRISE ZONES PARTNERSHIP: A joint state-county effort intended to stimulate—via tax and other incentives—certain types of business activity, job preservation and job creation in areas where they are most appropriate or most needed. Up to six zones can be designated per county. If a business (or a branch of business) is eligible and is located in an Enterprise Zone (EZ), it can reduce its state taxes and receive other county benefits for up to seven years by satisfying the EZ hiring and gross receipts requirements.

HIGH TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP (HTDC-MEP): A federal program administered in Hawaii by the State’s High Technology Development Corporation and designed to bring best practices to small and medium-sized businesses at an affordable cost. Almost every business in Hawaii that develops products can take advantage of the services. It serves all industries and all companies who are willing to invest time, money and people to improve business. HTDC-MEP acts as a general practitioner in providing a wealth of knowledge and meeting various industry-specific needs. It can help increase profitability & competitiveness in the following business areas:

• Reduce costs & lead-times while improving your quality, productivity, capacity and profits.
• Process design and improvements
• Lean Manufacturing
• Plant Layout
• Value Stream Mapping
• Business Planning
• Strategic Planning
• Marketing Research and Planning
• Product development
• Supply chain management
• E-commerce and web development
• Quality control issues
• Business operations and management coaching
• Training (Lean, Value Stream Mapping, TQM, etc.)

HAWAII STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (HSDC): An agency of Hawaii established in 1990 to promote technology based economic development and economic diversification in the state through a return driven investment program in partnership with private capital. HSDC has adopted an indirect investment policy whereby it seeks to invest in venture capital partnerships that in turn will make direct investments into Hawaii-based companies. The general partners of the venture capital partnerships, or fund managers, are private sector investors who pool funds from a number of investors, identify and invest in promising businesses, and manage the investments until an exit from the investment is achieved. In this manner, HSDC is able to leverage public funds with private capital and utilize the investment acumen of the private sector in selecting suitable investments. HSDC seeks to invest in fund managers with experience in venture capital investing and that have a commitment to build a portfolio of Hawaii-based investments. Emphasis is given to investment opportunities that further technological innovation in Hawaii. HSDC is currently precluded by law from investing in retail businesses, housing construction and the tourism sector.

PRIORITY PERMIT PROCESSING FOR GREE BUILDINGS: Hawaii requires priority processing for all construction or development permits for projects that achieve LEED Silver or equivalent.

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY LOANS: Act 209 was enacted in 2008 to establish a new loan program to help full-time farmers, ranchers and aquaculturalists to reduce dependence on fossil fuel by producing renewable energy through sources such as photovoltaic, hydroelectric, wind, methane, biodiesel and ethanol. The act also allows for loans for food safety projects to ensure a safe food supply for Hawaii’s people. The maximum loan amount is $1,500,000 or 85 percent of the project cost (whichever is less). Funds can be used for infrastructure, equipment, land improvement and operating costs associated with the project. The program offers favorable interest rates with a maximum loan term of 40 years.

SOLAR AND WIND ENERGY CREDIT: Originally enacted in 1976, it allows individuals or corporations to claim an income tax credit of 20 percent of the cost of equipment and installation of a wind system and 35 percent of the cost of equipment and installation of a solar thermal or photovoltaic (PV) system. For solar thermal energy systems, a commercial property is eligible for a maximum credit of 35 percent of the actual cost or $250,000, whichever is less; for photovoltaic systems, the maximum allowable credit is 35 percent of the actual cost or $500,000, whichever is less; and for wind powered energy systems the maximum allowable credits is 20 percent of the actual cost or $500,000, whichever is less.

IDAHO

The HIRE ONE TAX CREDIT rewards employers that create new jobs. Business that hire new employees to fill newly created positions can receive a refundable income tax credit for the gross wages paid during the first 12 months of employment. The new employer must make at least $12 an hour in counties where the unemployment level is 10 percent or higher and $15 an hour in counties with unemployment below 10 percent. The amount of the refund is based on the employer’s unemployment insurance tax rating.

IDAHO BUSINESS ADVANTAGE: Businesses that invest a minimum of $500,000 in new facilities and create at least 10 new jobs averaging $40,000 annually, plus benefits qualify for a variety of incentives:

a. An enhanced Investment Tax Credit of 3.75 percent up to $750,000 OR 62.5 percent of tax liability in any one year.

b. A new jobs tax credit starting at $1,500 and climbing to $3,000 per job (note, this section may be used in lieu of the Hire One Tax Credit)

c. A 2.5 percent real property improvement tax credit up to $125,000 in any one year along with a 25 percent rebate on sales tax paid on construction materials for the new facilities

d. Upon request of the company, the respective county commissioners may also authorize a full or partial property tax exemption.

CUSTOMIZED WORKFORCE TRAINING is tailored to the specific needs of the company and designed to develop skills for their precise requirements. Financial reimbursement up to $3,000 per employee is available to eligible companies to cover the cost of training new employees or retaining ones facing permanent layoff.

3 PERCENT INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT: Businesses that make qualifying new investments may earn an income tax credit. This credit can be offset up to 50 percent of a company’s state income tax liability and may be carried forward up to 14 years.

QUALIFIED INVESTMENT EXEMPTION: May be applied in lieu of the investment tax credit. A two-year exemption from property tax on qualified personal property is available only if a loss was incurred in the second preceding year in which the property is placed in service. The loss must have been computed without regard to net operating loss carry over or carry back.

NET OPERATING LOSS DEDUCTIONS: A tax provision for losses up to $100,000 per tax year. Losses may be carried back for two years, or, if not absorbed in those two years, the remainder may be carried forward for up to 20 years.

5 PERCENT RESEARCH INCOME TAX CREDIT: Businesses conducting basic and qualified research may earn an income tax credit of 5 percent that may be carried forward up to 14 years.

3 PERCENT BROADBAND INCOME TAX CREDIT: Businesses that purchase qualified broadband equipment and infrastructure for the benefit of end users in Idaho may earn a 3 percent income tax credit up to $750,000. This credit is transferable and may be carried forward up to 14 years.

SALES TAX INCENTIVES

• PRODUCTION SALES TAX EXEMPTION: Businesses purchasing equipment and raw materials used directly in manufacturing, processing, mining, fabrication or logging operations; for clean rooms used in semiconductor and semiconductor equipment manufacturing; for any equipment or material used in research and development activities; and processing materials, substances or commodities for use as fuel for the production of energy may earn a sales tax exemption.

• POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT SALES TAX EXEMPTION: Businesses purchasing required pollution control equipment are exempt from sales tax on those purchases. Required pollution control facilities are exempt from property tax.

• UTILITY & INDUSTRIAL FUELS SALES TAX EXEMPTION: Businesses are exempt from paying sales tax on utilities and industrial fuels. Examples include power, water, natural gas and telephone.

• 100 PERCENT GOODS-IN-TRANSIT TAX EXEMPTION: The state’s free port law provides that goods in transit (goods purchased by a carrier in its business and delivered outside the state under a bill of lading for use by the carrier in its business) are exempt from taxation.

IDAHO PRIME RATE LOAN PROGRAM: Commercial banks offer low-interest loans to qualifying small business with up to 85 percent Small Business Administration guaranty.

INDUSTRIAL REVENUE BONDS: Up to $20 Million is available in tax-free bonds to finance manufacturing, processing, production and assembly projects are issued by a public corporation with the project or business serving as collateral.

IDAHO FILM INCENTIVES

• SALES TAX REBATE ON GOODS: Idaho has a rebate of the 6 percent sales tax on tangible personal property (which excludes consumables such as food) when $200,000 is spent on a wide variety of qualifying expenses.

• LODGING EXEMPTION: Production personnel who are staying 30 days or more in Idaho lodging facilities are totally exempt from both sales and lodging taxes, currently 8 percent. Local option taxes levied in certain communities would also be exempt.

• IDAHO’S NATURAL INCENTIVES:  Built-in incentives include reasonable prices on crew hires, lodging, goods and services. Permits are not required for any cities other than Coeur d’Alene but are required for Idaho’s public lands.  Federally managed public lands in Idaho include national monuments and reserves (National Park Service), national forests (US Forest Service) and lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

• FEDERAL TAX INCENTIVE (American Jobs Creation Act): The incentives are for all taxpayers, including companies, as long as they pay taxes.

o Section 181 – any taxpayer, individual or company that invests in a qualifying film receives 100% loss in the year or years the money is spent.

o The limit is up to $15 million per film and $15 million per episode for television with a maximum of 44 episodes. The incentive, unless extended, expires at the end of 2008.

o Section 199 applies to film, music, video and all other manufacturing companies. As to music, it would apply only to those who compose, manufacture, and receive income from the sale of their music. It is the same for film and video. The deduction is 9 percent from 2010 on.

CAPITAL INVESTMENT PROPERTY TAX INCENTIVES

• PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION: Businesses that invest in new manufacturing facilities may receive partial or full property tax exemptions from local county commissioners. To qualify, businesses need to invest a minimum of $3 million.

• LARGE BUSINESS PROPERTY TAX CAP: Businesses that invest a minimum of  $1 billion in capital improvements will receive a property tax exemption on all property in excess of $400 million in value per year.

• LARGE EMPLOYER PROPERTY TAX CAP: Businesses that employ at least 1,500 people within an Idaho county may receive a property tax exemption on property values in excess of $800 million. To qualify, the business must make a yearly capital investment of at least $25 million within that county.

• 100% PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION: Business inventory and registered motor vehicles, vessels and aircraft are exempt from property tax.

NEW JOBS INCOME TAX CREDITS

• $1,000 TAX CREDIT: Businesses may earn a $1,000 tax credit for each additional employee added. New employees must work a minimum of 20 hours per week, make at least $15.50 an hour and be eligible to receive employer-provided coverage under an accident or health plan. The credit may be carried forward up to three years
• $500 TAX CREDIT: Businesses may earn a $500 tax credit for adding new jobs in the production, assembly, fabrication, manufacturing or processing of natural resources. This credit cannot be combined with the $1,000 new jobs credit.

ILLINOIS

The ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR A GROWING ECONOMY (EDGE) incentive program encourages companies to locate or expand operations in Illinois when there is active consideration of a competing location in another state. The program can provide tax credits to qualifying companies, equal to the amount of state income taxes withheld from the salaries of employees in the newly created jobs. The non-refundable credits can be used against corporate income taxes to be paid over a period not to exceed 10 years.

The EMPLOYER TRAINING INVESTMENT PROGRAM (ETIP) supports companies in retraining their employees to stay competitive. Through the program, Illinois companies are reimbursed for up to 50 percent of eligible training costs. Potential reimbursements include trainers, tuition, trainee wages and fringes, new technology or processes, new machinery, regulatory compliance, and a continuous improvement system.

The LARGE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (LBDP) is for companies undertaking a major expansion or relocation. Funds may be used by large businesses for bondable business activities including financing the purchase of land or buildings; building construction or renovation; and certain types of machinery and equipment.

The COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (CDAP-ED) is a federally funded program designed to provide grants to units of local government for economic development activities related to private business retention or expansion. Local governments can make their grant funds available as loans to businesses growing or moving to their community. Funds may be used for machinery and equipment, working capital, and building construction and renovation.

Illinois is receiving an allotment of funds to accelerate private investment and ease the credit crunch for small businesses through the federal STATE SMALL BUSINESS CREDIT INITIATIVE of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. Illinois’ program is expected to feature three programs to spur institutional lending to businesses up to 750 employees, and one program to leverage private venture capital in start-ups and high-growth businesses.

The ANGEL INVESTMENT CREDIT PROGRAM offers a tax credit to interested firms or persons who make an investment in one of Illinois’ innovative, qualified new business ventures. The tax credit may equal 25 percent of up to a $2 million investment made by the private investor.

REVOLVING LINE OF CREDIT PROGRAM (RLOC): Provides qualifying businesses with a subordinated line of credit through banks and other convention lending institutions at affordable interest rates. It is appropriate for businesses with 500 or fewer employees having seasonal or variable working capital demands. A revolving line of credit allows a business to borrow the amount of money needed to meet the demand for its product/service sales and to repay the loan from the sales revenues.

DCEO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND: Part of the Governor Quinn’s Neighborhood Recovery Initiative, started in November and available until funds are depleted. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is partnering with financial institutions with strong small business lending backgrounds to distribute $5 million in micro loans to start-ups and existing small businesses through the Community Development Fund.

ILLINOIS CAPITAL ACCESS PROGRAM (CAP): Designed to encourage financial institutions to make loans to small and new businesses that do not qualify under conventional lending policies. CAP is a form of loan portfolio insurance, which provides additional reserve coverage to the lender on loan defaults. The borrower and DCEO each contribute a percentage of the loan amount into a reserve fund located at the lender’s bank. This reserve fund enables the financial institution to make loans beyond its conventional risk threshold and is available to draw upon to recover losses on loans made under the program.

ENTERPRISE ZONE PARTICIPATION LOAN PROGRAM (EZ/PLP): A variation of the conventional PLP Program, in that DCEO subordinates the loans through participating lending institutions, but the EZ/PLP may be able to provide small businesses located in an enterprise zone a more attractive loan rate than a conventional PLP. Funds can be used for a number of business activities, such as purchase and installation of machinery and equipment, working capital, purchase of land, construction or renovation of buildings. Funds cannot be used for debt refinancing or contingency funding. Any for-profit small business operating in Illinois which has, including its affiliates, fewer than 500 full-time employees, and is located within an Illinois designated enterprise zone, is eligible for participation in this program.

MANUFACTURING MODERNIZATION LOAN PROGRAM: Designed to provide manufacturers with access to adequate and affordable financing for upgrading and modernizing their manufacturing equipment and operations. Existing Illinois manufacturing companies that employ less than 500 full-time workers, and are retooling, upgrading their equipment, or expanding their business are eligible for this program. Examples of eligible projects include: acquisition and development of land, building costs, fixtures, machinery, new and used equipment.

PARTICIPATION LOAN PROGRAM (PLP): Designed to work through banks and other conventional lending institutions, to provide subordinated financial assistance to Illinois small businesses that employ Illinois workers. A business with 500 or fewer employees may apply for a PLP loan of not less than $10,000 nor more than $750,000. Loans shall not exceed 25 percent of the total project and may not be used for debt refinancing or contingency funding.

COMMUNITY SERVICE BLOCK GRANT (CSBG) LOAN PROGRAM: Administered jointly by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, statewide Community Action Agencies and Illinois Ventures for Community Action, it provides long-term, fixed-rate financing to new or expanding small businesses in exchange for job creation and employment for low-income individuals. CSBG funds usually make up between 20-49 percent of the entire loan project and have a low interest rate of 5 to 7.5 percent.

MINORITY, VETERAN, WOMEN AND DISABLED PARTICIPATION LOAN PROGRAM (MVWD/PLP): A variation of the conventional PLP, in that DCEO may subordinate the loans through participating lending institutions, but the MVWD/PLP program can provide Illinois small businesses that are 51 percent owned and managed by persons who are minorities, veterans, women, or disabled, with loans up to loans up to $100,000 or 50 percent of the total project.

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AgriFIRST GRANT PROGRAM: Designed to provide grants to persons and agribusinesses in Illinois for the purpose of developing projects that enhance the value of agricultural products or expand agribusiness in Illinois.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM (BDPIP): Designed to provide grants to units of local government for public improvements on behalf of businesses undertaking a major expansion or relocation project that will result in substantial private investment and the creation and/or retention of a large amount of Illinois jobs. The infrastructure improvements must be made for public benefit and on public property and must directly result in the creation or retention of private sector jobs. The local government must demonstrate clear need for financial assistance to undertake the improvements. Grant eligibility and amounts are determined by the amount of investment and job creation or retention involved.

ENTERPRISE ZONE PROGRAM: Designed to stimulate economic growth and neighborhood revitalization in economically depressed areas of the state. This is accomplished through state and local tax incentives, regulatory relief and improved governmental services.

HIGH IMPACT BUSINESS (HIB): Designed to encourage large-scale economic development activities by providing tax incentives (similar to those offered within an enterprise zone) to companies that propose to make a substantial capital investment in operations and that will create or retain an above average number of jobs. Businesses may qualify for: investment tax credits, a state sales tax exemption on building materials, an exemption from state sales tax on utilities, a state sales tax exemption on purchases of personal property used or consumed in the manufacturing process or in the operation of a pollution control facility. The project must involve a minimum of $12 million investment causing the creation of 500 full-time jobs or an investment of $30 million causing the retention of 1500 full-time jobs. The investment must take place at a designated location in Illinois outside of an Enterprise Zone.

NEW MARKETS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM: Provides supplemental funding for investment entities that have been approved for the Federal New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program. It will support small and developing businesses by making capital funds more easily available and will make Illinois more attractive to possible investors

The NMTC program provides state and federal tax credits to investors that make investments into approved funds, which will make investments in eligible projects located in low-income census tracks throughout Illinois.

The program provides non-refundable tax credits to investors in qualifying Community Development Entities (CDE’s) worth 39 percent of the equity investment made into the CDE over a 7-year credit allowance period.

RIVER EDGE REDEVELOPMENT ZONE: Designed to revive and redevelop environmentally challenged properties adjacent to rivers in Illinois through the use of several incentives authorized by State law. Sales tax exemption and property tax abatement (if offered in the zone) are administered by the local zone administrators and the others involve tax incentives that may be claimed on Illinois Income Tax filing.

TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT (TIF) Illinois law allows units of local governments the ability to designate areas within their jurisdiction as TIF districts. They are used by local governments as a way to spur economic growth by dedicating the sales tax revenues and additional property tax revenues generated with in the TIF for improvements within the district with the hope of encouraging new economic development and jobs.

More details on these programs are available through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity at www.ildceo.net.

INDIANA

CORPORATE TAX RATE: Indiana’s corporate tax rate was reduced from 8.5 percent to 6.5 percent. This will be phased in from July 1, 2012 to July 1, 2015. The legislature reduced this tax in order to improve upon Indiana’s existing business climate and bring it more in line with rates in other states.

VENTURE CAPITAL INVESTMENT (VCI) TAX CREDIT: The $200 filing fee was eliminated for two years until June 30, 2013. The VCI tax credit cap per qualifying business was raised from $500,000 to $1 million. This change provides greater opportunities for young companies to attract capital and grow in Indiana.

PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT: The law was changed to allow local governments the flexibility to structure the property tax abatement schedules however they wish over ten years. The previous statute defined the schedule. This will give local economic development leaders more control over the incentive packages they offer to companies.

INDUSTRIAL RECOVERY TAX CREDIT: The General Assembly reduced the statutory thresholds in order to allow more vacant buildings in the state to be eligible for this program. The minimum in-service period for building was reduced from 20 to 15 years. The minimum vacancy period was reduced from two to one year. The minimum square footage for building requirement was reduced from 250,000 square feet (50,000 square feet from 2011 to 2014 and 100,000 square feet starting in 2015). These changes may help bring more vacant facilities back into service by providing an incentive to companies for rehabilitation expenses.

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT FUND: Provides money to local governments for off-site infrastructure projects associated with an expansion of an existing Indiana company or the location of a new facility in Indiana. State funding through the IDGF program must be matched by a combination of local government and company financial support.

CERTIFIED TECHNOLOGY PARK PROGRAM: Created as a tool to support the attraction and growth of high-technology business in Indiana. Designation as a Certified Tech Park allows for the local recapture of certain state and local tax revenue which can be invested in the development of the park.

SKILLS ENHANCEMENT FUND (SEF): A tool to encourage companies to invest in their existing workforce and train new employees. It provides reimbursement for eligible training expenses over a two-year term. Companies may reapply for additional SEF Funds after their initial two-year term.

HOOSIER ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLE MANUFACTURER TAX CREDIT: Established by IC 6-3.1-31.9, it provides a credit up to 15 percent of the qualified investment for the manufacture of alternative fuel vehicles. An applicant must compensate its employees at least 150 percent of the state’s hourly minimum wage and agree to maintain operations for at least 10 years.

HOOSIER BUSINESS INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT (HBITC): Established to encourage capital investment in Indiana by providing a credit against a company’s Indiana tax liability. The credit amount is based on a company’s qualified capital investment with the final credit amount determined by the IEDC based on an analysis of the economic benefits of the proposed investment.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR A GROWING ECONOMY (EDGE): Created to reward companies creating new jobs and contributing to the growth of Hoosier income. Credits are calculated as a percentage of payroll tax withholding for net new Indiana jobs and may be awarded for a term of up to ten years. EDGE is a refundable tax credit that can be offered in situations where Indiana is competing against another state or country for a company’s site location investment. The company must commit to maintaining operations in Indiana for at least two years beyond the term of its EDGE award.

HEADQUARTERS RELOCATION TAX CREDIT: When a business relocates its corporate headquarters (defined as the location of the principal office of the principal executives) to Indiana, it is entitled to a credit against its state tax liability equal to half of the costs incurred in relocating the headquarters. A company must have a worldwide annual revenue of at least $100 million to qualify and after relocation, the corporation must have 75 employees in Indiana.

MEDIA PRODUCTION EXPENDITURE TAX CREDIT (MPETC): Established by IC 6-3.1-32, it provides individuals and companies a credit of up to 15 percent on the amount spent in Indiana for qualified production expenditures. The MPETC is refundable; therefore, if the amount of the MPETC exceeds the taxpayer’s state income tax liability for that taxable year, the taxpayer is entitled to a refund of the excess of the credit amount over their state income tax liability. The total amount of tax credits certified by the IEDC for any fiscal year may not exceed $2.5 million, but there is no cap per project.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R&D) TAX CREDIT: Authorized by IC 6-3.1-4-1 and administered by the Indiana Department of Revenue, it provides a credit against state tax liability for qualified company research expenses and is based on the increase in Indiana R&D over the prior three-year base. In the base year, research expenses must have been at least half of the research expenses in the current year. The credit equals 15 percent of qualified research expenses on the first $1 million of investment. The tax credit is applied against income tax liability and may be carried forward 10 years. There is no carry back, and the credit is nonrefundable.

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT (R&D) SALES TAX EXEMPTION: Authorized by IC 6-2.5-5-40, it provides a refund of 50 percent of the Indiana sales taxes paid on purchases of eligible R&D equipment purchased after June 30, 2007. Taxpayers may also file a claim for the refund for tax paid on retail transactions that occur after June 30, 2005

INDIANA SHOVEL READY PROGRAM: Reduces potential costs of site development for businesses and enhances the marketability of certified sites. The goals of the program are to:

• Certify sites and existing buildings to expedite the location and permitting processes for business development
• Help local communities identify and prepare sites and existing buildings for economic development
• Identify and fast track the state and local permits necessary for a specific site (dependent on the end user)

SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH INITIATIVE and SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (STTR) programs stimulate technological innovation and provide opportunities for Indiana small businesses to participate in federally funded research and development programs.

IOWA

The GROW IOWA VALUES FUND (GIVF) is the state’s premier financial assistance program designed to support innovation and job growth. A variety of business development programs are available as included below:

• DIRECT ASSISTANCE TO A COMPANY: Assistance is provided in the form of loans and/or forgivable loans, based in part on job creation, capital investment, the ability to meet certain regional/county wage standards, quality of employment, and economic benefits for the state and local community. Applications are filed by cities, counties or community colleges on behalf of eligible businesses.
• The GROW IOWA VALUES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM serves as the funding source for projects that are focused on job creation or retention, value-added agriculture and entrepreneurial efforts. This program, combined with Iowa’s nationally recognized business climate, tax incentives and proactive state government make Iowa a great place to do business.
• The DEMONSTRATION FUND provides financial awards up to $150,000 to encourage commercialization activities by small and medium-sized Iowa companies in the advanced manufacturing, biosciences, and information technology industries. The fund is designed to encourage product refinements, market planning and market entry activities of unique products to foster competitive, profitable companies that create high paying jobs and wealth in Iowa.
• INFRASTRUCTURE COMPONENT: Designed to financially assist capital-intensive infrastructure projects that create unique opportunities for quality, high-wage jobs and demonstrate a statewide impact. Both Iowa communities and new or existing businesses are eligible for this innovative program. This program may also be used to remediate contaminated sites that have potential development opportunities contingent on the cleanup. Assistance is provided in the form of loans, forgivable loans and cost indemnification agreements.
• The PUBLIC FACILITIES SET-ASIDE (PFSA) program provides financial assistance to cities with less than 50,000 in population and to counties for public infrastructure improvements that enable businesses to create new job opportunities. Projects that will create manufacturing jobs, add value to Iowa resources and/or increase out-of-state exports will be given priority. Eligible projects include adding or improving sanitary sewer systems, water systems, streets, roads, and storm sewers.

BUSINESS TAX CREDITS

• ASSISTIVE DEVICE TAX CREDIT: An assistive device is any item, piece of equipment or product system that is used to increase, maintain or improve the functional capabilities of an individual with a disability in the workplace or on the job. To qualify for the Tax Credit, a business must be located in Iowa, employ 14 or fewer full time employees OR have $3 million dollars or less in gross annual receipts. The credit applies to expenditures made on or after January 1, 2000, and equals one-half of the first $5,000 in qualifying expenses each tax year. Excess credits can be refunded or carried over to the next tax year.

• BROWNFIELD/GRAYFIELD TAX CREDIT PROGRAM: Offers qualifying projects tax credits of up to 24 percent for qualifying costs of a Brownfield project and 30 percent if the project meets green building requirements. “Grayfield” is also included in the tax credit program. A Grayfield project can receive tax credits of up to 12 percent of qualifying costs and 15 percent if the project meets green building requirements. Tax credits are available on a first come first served basis, with a maximum tax credit per project of $500,000 and a $5,000,000 maximum for each fiscal year. An audit of qualifying expenses from an independent Iowa certified public accountant is required prior to issuance of all tax credit certificates.

• ENTERPRISE ZONES: Through state and local tax incentives, businesses and developers are encouraged to make new investments, and create or retain jobs in economically distressed areas in Iowa. The goal of the program is to revitalize these areas and make them competitive with other locations throughout the state. An incentive for housing development may also be available to developers and contractors building or rehabilitating housing in an established enterprise zone.

• HIGH QUALITY JOBS: Provides qualifying businesses tax credits to offset the cost incurred to locate, expand or modernize an Iowa facility. To qualify for this very flexible assistance package that includes tax credits, exemptions and/or refunds, a business must be a non-retail or non-service business.. Actual award amounts will be based on the business’ level of need; the quality of the jobs; the percentage of created or retained jobs defined as high quality; and the economic impact of the project. Created jobs must pay at least 100 percent of the qualifying wage threshold at the start of the project and 130 percent of the qualifying wage threshold by project completion and through the project maintenance period. Retained jobs must pay at least 130 percent of the qualifying wage threshold throughout the project completion and maintenance periods. The business must provide a sufficient benefits package to all full time employees.

• NEW JOBS TAX CREDIT: An Iowa corporate income tax credit available to a company that has entered into a New Jobs Training Agreement (260E) and expands their Iowa employment base by 10 percent or more. The amount of this one-time tax credit will depend upon the wages a company pays and the year in which the tax credit is first claimed. Unused credits may be carried forward up to 10 years. The tax credit may be claimed on Form IA 133 found on the Iowa Department of Revenue Web site.

• RESEARCH ACTIVITIES TAX CREDIT: Iowa is one of very few states to have continuously offered this refundable tax credit for increasing a company’s research activities. Under certain conditions, this credit may be doubled. A company must meet the qualifications of the Federal Research Activities Credit in order to be eligible for the credit in Iowa.

• TARGETED JOBS WITHHOLDING TAX CREDIT: Enacted in 2006, it allows the diversion of withholding funds paid by an employer to be matched by a designated “pilot” city to create economic incentives that can be directed toward the growth and expansion of targeted businesses located within Urban Renewal areas. An approved “pilot” city may enter into a withholding agreement:

1. with a business that is locating to its community from another state and is creating targeted jobs within an urban renewal area; or

2. an existing Iowa business that is creating ten new targeted jobs or makes a qualifying investment of $500,000 within an urban renewal area.

INVESTOR TAX CREDITS

• ENDOW IOWA: Administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority, it was created to enhance the quality of life for Iowa citizens through increased philanthropic activity by encouraging new investments to existing community foundations and facilitating the creation of new community foundations. The major component of the program is a state tax credit equal to 25 percent of a qualifying gift to a community foundation. The gift must be to an endowment fund within the qualified foundation or community affiliate organization. The tax credits can be claimed by individuals, businesses or financial institutions.

• IOWA COMMUNITY BASED SEED FUNDS: A Community Based Seed Fund is a group of individuals pooling their money to create a fund that will invest in start-up or early-stage companies. A fund may choose to invest only in local projects. However, they can also “network” for the opportunity to invest in other projects and partner up with other funds in Iowa. The benefit of this arrangement is to leverage investment dollars and provide more opportunities for a greater return on investment. A statewide group of investors is forming an association to share deal flow and due diligence. As a general rule community based seed fund look for a 40 to 50 percent return on seed and start-up financing, 30 to 40 percent on second stage financing and 25 to 30 percent on later stage financing.

• REVOLVING LOAN FUND: Developed to encourage the growth and development of economic development revolving loan funds in Iowa. Individuals, businesses or non-profit organizations are eligible for a state tax credit equal to 20 percent of the amount they donate to the Revolving Loan Fund. The credit is refundable for organizations that are exempt from federal income tax pursuant to section 501©(3) of the IRS Code. There are over $2 million per year in new credit authority.

TAX INCREMENT FINANCING (TIF): Businesses are given the incentive to construct new industrial or commercial facilities by receiving direct benefit from the property tax increase caused by the added value of those new facilities. How It Works:

1. Business constructs new industrial or commercial facility

2. New facility increases property tax assessed on the business

3. City councils or county board of supervisors may use the additional property tax to:

o Finance direct grants or loans to the business.

o Offset the costs of public improvements or provision of utilities to serve the new private development

o Provide the local match for federal or state economic development assistance programs.

TARGETED SMALL BUSINESS (TSB) ASSISTANCE: Supports the creation and expansion of small businesses certified as a “targeted small business”. The business must be located in Iowa, operating for a profit and have less than $4 million in annual gross income, computed as an average of the preceding three fiscal years. At least 51 percent of the business must be owned, operated and actively managed by a female, a minority group member or a person with a disability. Certified TSB’s can apply for loans to start or expand a small business with these terms:

• Maximum loan amount is $50,000
• Maximum interest rate is 5 percent (determined by the loan review board, varies for each applicant).
• Successful applicants will have 5 years to repay the loan
• The first installment can be deferred for three months for a start-up and one month for an existing business.
• Applicant must have 10 percent equity in cash for the loan.
• Loan funds can be used for most any business purpose such as to purchase equipment, marketing costs, etc.
• Loans cannot be used to refinance/consolidate existing debt, travel/ training nor for purchase of real estate.

EMPLOYEE TRAINING PROGRAMS

To help Iowa companies maintain their competitive edge, the Iowa Economic Development Authority will help develop a workforce and training program to meet the specific needs of a company. By leveraging training resources, filling funding gaps in human resource development initiatives and sponsoring business consortia that address common employment training needs, the skills of Iowa’s workers are enhanced, allowing its industries to grow.

• ACCELERATED CAREER EDUCATION PROGRAM: Assists Iowa’s community colleges in establishing/expanding programs that train individuals in the occupations most needed by Iowa businesses.
• APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM: Funds projects that increase the skills of workers through a combination of classroom and on-the-job training.
• COMMUNITY COLLEGE BUSINESS NETWORK TRAINING PROGRAM: Provides funding assistance to two or more businesses participating in training programs based in one or more community colleges.
• COMMUNITY COLLEGE CONSORTIUM: Provides funding assistance for community college-sponsored employee training projects in which two or more businesses participate.
• IOWA INDUSTRIAL NEW JOBS TRAINING PROGRAM (260E): Provides no-cost or reduced-cost job training services to new employees of eligible businesses through Iowa’s community college system.
• IOWA JOBS TRAINING PROGRAM (260F): Provides job training services to current employees of eligible businesses that are located in Iowa.
• IOWA STUDENT INTERNSHIP PROGRAM: Links college students from Iowa schools to internship opportunities in small and medium sized firms in the biosciences, advanced manufacturing and information technology industries with the goal of transitioning the interns to full-time employment in the state upon graduation.

KANSAS

The PROMOTING EMPLOYMENT ACROSS KANSAS (PEAK) program offers qualified companies the ability to retain 95 percent of their payroll withholding tax for up to five to seven years. PEAK is available to new operations in Kansas as well as relocated operations to the state. In 2013, it will be available for qualifying business retention projects as well. Companies need to create at least 10 new jobs within two years in metropolitan areas or five new jobs within two years in all other counties of the state. High-impact projects that create 100 new jobs within two years can retain 95 percent of payroll withholding tax for up to seven to 10 years. The number of years that the withholding tax can be retained depends on how much the annual median or average wage of the jobs at the Kansas worksite will exceed the current county median wage and the discretion of the Secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce.

The HIGH PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PROGRAM (HPIP) provides a 10 percent corporate income tax credit on the qualified capital investment of an eligible company. Qualified capital investment can include such items as the purchase or lease of a facility or equipment, remodeling or build-out costs, fixtures, furniture and computers. Equipment transferred to Kansas from out-of-state is also credited at the original acquisition cost. The 10 percent tax credit is awarded to companies that operate an eligible business, pay above-average wages and invest in employee training. The credits can be used to significantly reduce a company’s corporate income tax liability in a given year. Credits must be used within a consecutive 16 year period. The minimum investment threshold to qualify for HPIP is $1.0M for urban counties of Douglas, Johnson, Sedgwick, Shawnee and Wyandotte. For all other counties, the minimum investment threshold is $50,000.

MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT EXPENSING DEDUCTION: Effective January 1, 2012, Kansas taxpayers will be allowed to claim an expense deduction for business machinery and equipment, placed in service in Kansas during the tax year. The one-time deduction is allowed for each qualified purchase of machinery and equipment in the year that it is placed in service. The expensing deduction is representative of the difference between the cost of the item and the present value of the stream of depreciation deductions allowed under normal federal depreciation rules. Any unused expense deduction may be carried forward until fully claimed in future years. If the property is relocated outside Kansas or disposed of before the end of its federal depreciable life, the amount of the tax liability relieved by the deduction may be subject to repayment.

MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION: Commercial and industrial machinery and equipment acquired by qualified purchase or lease or transferred into the state is exempt from state and local property tax. The exemption pertains to machinery and equipment used in the expansion of an existing facility or the establishment of a new facility. The exemption covers machinery and equipment used in manufacturing or warehousing/distribution, commercial equipment, computers, desks and chairs, copiers and fax machines.

PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT: Cities or counties may exempt real property from ad valorem taxation. The tax abatement can include all or any portion of the appraised buildings, land and improvements. A total or partial tax abatement may be in effect for up to 10 years after the calendar year in which the business commences its operations. Any property tax abatement is the decision of the city or county.

The RURAL OPPORTUNITY ZONES PROGRAM (ROZ) is designed to reverse dramatic population declines over the past decade in rural areas of Kansas. The program is to spur economic development in and expand job growth in 50 counties around the state. The program has two main incentives:

• A state income tax exemption for up to five years to individuals who move to a ROZs county from outside the state. Individuals must not have lived in Kansas for the past five years, nor have Kansas source income of more than $10,000 per year over the past five years.
• Student loan forgiveness of up to $3,000 per year ($15,000 maximum benefit) for individuals who graduate from an accredited post-secondary institution and move to a ROZs county. The student loan forgiveness portion of the program is a county-state partnership, and counties must opt in to participate.

WIND AND SOLAR BOND FINANCING: This allows for up to $5 million in bond financing per project for eligible wind and solar energy manufacturers. The bonds are paid off from the payroll withholding tax of the new jobs. To qualify, a project must create at least 200 new jobs within five years, pay at least a $32,500 average salary and generate a minimum capital investment of $30 million.

KANSAS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY INITIATIVES FUND: The Department of Commerce can provide a zero-percent interest forgivable loan to qualified companies. This loan can offset costs associated with the establishment of a new facility or the expansion of an existing facility. Eligible costs include site improvements, construction, build-out and purchases and relocation of machinery and equipment. The loan is forgiven in 20 percent annual increments over a five-year period based on meeting the job and payroll targets. Approval of funding for this program is based on the number of new jobs created, the level of wages paid to the new employees and the economic impact of the project.

INDUSTRIAL REVENUE BONDS (IRBs): A method of financing up to 100 percent of a growing business’ land, building and equipment. They are securities issued by cities and counties to provide funds for creditworthy companies to acquire land, construct and equip new facilities or remodel and expand existing facilities. IRBs allow fixed-rate financing for the life of the bond for the project.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG): Eligible small city and county governments may apply for funds to make water, sewer, rail spur, roadway or other infrastructure improvements designed to assist companies in creating jobs. These funds may also be used by a business to acquire land or buildings, construct or renovate facilities, purchase machinery and equipment or for working capital. Companies can apply for up to $35,000 per job created with a maximum limit of $750,000. At least 51 percent of the jobs created with CDBG funding must be held by individuals who, at the time of hire, meet the low to moderate income guidelines for the county location. Infrastructure funding requires that half of the funding be paid back over a 10-year period at a rate of 2 percent. Financing for working capital, equipment and real property carries a fixed rate equal to four percent or 3 percent below prime, whichever is greater, set on the award date. The term of the loan depends on the type of assets being financed: working capital up to five years, equipment up to 10 years and real property up to 15 years.

PARTNERSHIP FUND: Low-interest state funds are provided to cities and counties for infrastructure improvements that support Kansas’ basic enterprises such as manufacturing and distribution. Eligible projects may include construction, rehabilitation or expansion of public facilities, including roads, streets, highways, water supply and treatment facilities, water distribution lines, wastewater collection lines and related improvements.

KANSAS BIOSCIENCE AUTHORITY (KBA): Commerce works in partnership with the Kansas Bioscience Authority to assist in the expansion and recruitment of bioscience companies. The KBA has direct financing programs and other resources that can be used to recruit new bioscience companies and world-class scholars, fund equipment and lab space for research and facilitate the commercialization of bioscience discoveries.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS: The Department of Commerce has two programs to offset a company’s training costs. Companies creating new jobs may qualify for KANSAS INDUSTRIAL TRAINING (KIT) assistance. Eligibility for either program depends on the number of jobs created and the corresponding wages. There is also the KANSAS INDUSTRIAL RETRAINING (KIR) PROGRAM to retrain a Kansas company’s existing workforce on new technology or production activities. Projects involving a Kansas Basic Industry—which includes manufacturing, distribution or regional/national service facilities—may qualify for these programs. Both programs offer direct financial assistance to pay a negotiated portion of the costs to train a company’s employees. Companies may apply the assistance toward items such as instructors’ salaries; meals, travel and lodging (including out-of-state or international travel); video development; textbooks and training manuals; supplies and materials; temporary training facilities and curriculum planning and development.

SALES TAX EXEMPTIONS: Those available include:

• Labor services related to original construction
• Remodeling costs, furnishings, furniture, machinery and equipment for qualified projects
• New machinery and equipment for manufacturing and distribution. This also includes pre- and post-production machinery and equipment, including raw material handling, waste storage, water purification and oil cleaning, as well as ancillary property such as gas pipes, electrical wiring and pollution control equipment
• Tangible personal property that becomes an ingredient or component part of a finished product
• Tangible personal property that is immediately consumed in the production process, including electric power, natural gas and water
• Incoming and outgoing interstate telephone or transmission services (WATTS)
• Real and personal property financed with an Industrial Revenue Bond (IRB)

INVENTORY TAX EXEMPTION: All merchant and manufacturers’ inventories are exempt from property taxes.

RESEARCH TAX CREDIT: An income tax credit equal to 6.5 percent of a company’s investment in research and development above an expenditure of the previous three-year period. 25 percent of the allowable annual credit may be claimed in any one year.

KANSAS RETAIL DEALERS INCENTIVE FUND: Created for the payment of incentives to Kansas retail dealers who sell and dispense renewable fuels or biodiesel through a motor fuel pump. This incentive is currently not funded for fiscal years 2011 and 2012, pursuant to the 2010 Senate Bill 527. The provisions of the Kansas Retail Dealers Incentive Fund shall expire on January 1, 2026.

EFFICIENCY KANSAS: A low-cost loan program that helps make energy-efficiency improvements to small businesses. It connects businesses to qualified energy auditors who will pinpoint the uses (and loses) of energy and give a custom plan to make it more energy efficient. It also provides access to low-cost financing through participating lenders or utilities.

KENTUCKY

The KENTUCKY BUSINESS INVESTMENT (KBI) program provides income tax credits and wage assessments to new and existing agribusinesses, regional and national headquarters, manufacturing companies, and non-retail service or technology related companies that locate or expand operations in Kentucky. Projects locating in certain counties may qualify for enhanced incentives.

The KENTUCKY REINVESTMENT ACT (KRA) provides tax credits to any existing Kentucky company engaged in manufacturing and related functions on a permanent basis for a reasonable period of time who will be investing in eligible equipment and related costs of at least $2,500,000.

The KENTUCKY ENTERPRISE INITIATIVE ACT (KEIA): For new or expanded service or technology, manufacturing, or tourism attraction project in Kentucky. KEIA provides a refund of Kentucky sales and use tax paid by approved companies for building and construction materials permanently incorporated as an improvement to real property. It is also available for Kentucky sales and use tax refunds for eligible equipment used for research and development and data processing equipment.

The KENTUCKY SMALL BUSINESS INVESTMENT CREDIT (KSBIC): program is designed to encourage small business growth and job creation by providing a nonrefundable tax credit to eligible businesses hiring one or more eligible individuals and investing at least $5,000 in qualifying equipment or technology. With certain exceptions, most for-profit businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees are considered eligible for this program. The KSBIC program is limited to allocating a total of $3 million in tax credits per state fiscal year.

KENTUCKY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FINANCE AUTHORITY DIRECT LOAN PROGRAM (KEDFA): Provides business loans at below-market interest rates (subject to the availability of state revolving loan funds) for fixed asset financing for agribusiness, tourism, industrial ventures or the service industry. Retail projects are not eligible. KEDFA may participate in projects with loans ranging from $25,000 to $500,000.

INDUSTRIAL REVENUE BONDS (IRB): Issued by state and local governments in Kentucky, they can be used to finance manufacturing projects and their warehousing areas, major transportation and communication facilities, most health care facilities and mineral extraction and processing projects.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS (CDBG): Federally funded low interest loans made available through the Department for Local Government.

KENTUCKY INDUSTRIAL REVITALIZATION ACT (KIRA): Investments in the rehabilitation of manufacturing or coal mining and processing operations that are in imminent danger of permanently closing or that have closed temporarily may qualify for tax credits. An eligible company shall also include one that has closed but resumes mining operations. Eligible entities include manufacturing companies that save or create 25 jobs and coal mining and processing companies that intend to employ a minimum of 500 persons and have a raw production of at least three million tons from the economic revitalization project facility.

HIGH-TECH INVESTMENT/CONSTRUCTION POOLS: Provides funds to help further the commercialization of a product, process or other innovation. Incentives awarded are in the form of forgivable loans, with the amount of the loan primarily based on the applicant company’s projected high-tech job creation. These forgivable loans typically range from $150,000 to $400,000 depending upon the project.

SBIR-STTR MATCHING FUNDS PROGRAM: The Cabinet will match, on a competitive basis, Phase 1 and Phase 2 federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards received by Kentucky high-tech small businesses and those willing to become Kentucky-based businesses. This includes matching Phase 1 federal awards up to $150,000 to support the exploration of the technical merit or feasibility of an idea or technology, and up to $500,000 of federal Phase 2 awards, which support full-scale research and development.

COMMONWEALTH SEED CAPITAL, LLC (CSC): An independent, non-profit fund that makes debt or equity investments in early-stage Kentucky business entities to facilitate the commercialization of innovative ideas and technologies. CSC invests in companies that have a significant Kentucky presence, the prospect for substantial growth, and the potential to generate an appropriate rate of return.

Investments are typically made in these specified innovation areas: health and human development; information technology and communications; bioscience; environmental and energy technologies; and materials science and advanced manufacturing.

KENTUCKY ENTERPRISE FUND AND RURAL INNOVATION FUND: Provides seed-stage capital to Kentucky-based companies that are commercializing a technology-based product or process. The funds exist to stimulate private investment in Kentucky-based technology companies with high growth potential. The Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation administers the funds under contract with the Council on Postsecondary Education.

KENTUCKY NEW ENERGY VENTURES FUND: Provides seed stage capital to support the development and commercialization of alternative fuel and renewable energy products, processes and services in Kentucky. The funds exist to stimulate private investment in Kentucky-based technology companies with high growth potential. KNEV makes grants of $30,000 and investments ranging from $250,000 to $750,000+. Qualified companies must be Kentucky-based and funds are to be used for business development activities.

INCENTIVES FOR ENERGY INDEPENDENCE ACT (IEIA): Requires a capital investment of at least $25 million for an alternative fuel facility using biomass, or an investment of at least $100 million for an alternative fuel facility using coal, as its primary feedstock. A capital investment of at least $1 million is required for a renewable power facility that meets minimum electric output standards based upon the power source. The negotiated incentives cannot exceed 50 percent of the capital expenditures and may include a reimbursement of sales and use taxes paid on tangible personal property; a tax credit of the income tax and limited liability entity tax owed by the company; and, wage assessment incentives up to 4 percent of gross wages of each employee whose job was created as part of the project. Advanced disbursements may also be available.

KENTUCKY ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP ACT (KESA): For companies manufacturing products that have a substantial positive impact on human health and the environment. Companies with projects approved under KESA must have at least $5 million in eligible cost and can potentially recover up to 25 percent of the projects fixed asset cost and 100 percent of employee skills training. The tax incentive is available for recovery over a 10-year period.

SMALL BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM: Designed to help small businesses acquire funding. A small business must be engaged in manufacturing, agribusiness or service and technology. Loan funds may be used to acquire land and buildings, purchase and install equipment or for working capital. The minimum loan amount is $15,000 and the maximum is $100,000. The approved company must create one new full-time job within one year of the loan closing. KEDFA can fund up to 100 percent of the project costs and the loan can be used in conjunction with other lenders. The term of the loan can range from 3-10 years.

KENTUCKY MICROENTERPRISE LOAN PROGRAM: Provides technical assistance and business loans, up to $50,000, to entrepreneurs in 25 Kentucky counties that formerly had no access to such a program. Funds may be used for, among other purposes, working capital, equipment purchases and inventory purchases.

BLUEGRASS STATE SKILLS CORPORATION SKILLS TRAINING INVESTMENT CREDIT: Provides credit against Kentucky income tax to existing businesses that sponsor occupational or skills upgrade training programs for the benefit of their employees.

BLUEGRASS STATE SKILLS CORPORATION GRANT REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM: Provides matching grant funds for customized business and industry-specific training programs.

TAX INCREMENT FINANCING (TIF): A tool to use future gains in taxes to finance the current improvements that will create those gains. The state participates with local governments and eligible agencies in three TIF programs: the Commonwealth Participation Program for State Real Property Ad Valorem Tax Revenues, the Signature Project Program and the Commonwealth Participation Program for Mixed-Use Redevelopment in Blighted Urban Areas.

TIF LOAN SUPPORT PROGRAM: Any agency with a Tax Increment Financing Signature Project approved by the former Tax Increment Financing Commission and which executed its tax incentive agreement prior to January 1, 2008 may apply for The Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Loan Support Program. The Loan Support Program facilitates a supplemental reserve fund to cover debt service related to the bond financing of the TIF project.

LOCAL REDEVELOPMENT TIF: Available for use to redevelop blighted areas into mixed use development by using the incremental additional local taxes such as property or occupational taxes realized as a result of the development. The community or agency can request state participation in this program with certain additional requirements.

LOCAL VACANT LAND TIF: Available to develop vacant land by using the additional incremental local taxes, such as property or occupational taxes, realized as a result of the new development (example: construction of infrastructure at a local industrial park). State tax increment is not available for this type of development area.

KENTUCKY AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT FUND: Provides incentives for innovative proposals that increase net farm income, stimulates markets for Kentucky agricultural products, creates new ways to add value to Kentucky agricultural products and explores new opportunities for Kentucky farmers.

KENTUCKY AGRICULTURAL FINANCE CORPORATION: Provides capital access for agricultural diversification and infrastructure projects. Participating Loan Programs Include: Agricultural Infrastructure, Beginning Farmer, Diversification through Entrepreneurship in Agri-business and Large Animal Veterinary Programs. Direct Loan Programs include the Agricultural Process Loan Program and the Coordinated Value-Added Assistance Loan Program.

KENTUCKY INVESTMENT FUND ACT (KIFA): Provides tax credits to individuals and companies that invest in approved venture capital funds. Investors in KIFA approved funds are entitled to a 40 percent credit against Kentucky individual or corporate income tax or Kentucky corporate license tax. KEDFA approves investment funds and fund managers.

TOURISM DEVELOPMENT ACT: Provides developers of approved new or expanding tourism projects the ability to recover up to 25 percent of the project’s development costs over a 10-year term. Projects including, but not limited to, lodging facilities constructed on state park, federal park or national forest lands are eligible to recover up to 50 percent of the development costs over a 20-year term.

KENTUCKY FILM INCENTIVE: Provides qualifying applicants the ability to recover up to 20 percent of qualified expenditures through a refundable income tax credit. Qualifying applicants must invest a minimum of $50,000 for documentaries and national touring Broadway shows, $200,000 for commercials, $500,000 for full-length films.

LOUISIANA

LOUISIANA FASTSTART™ is a workforce development program, providing customized workforce recruitment, screening, training development and training delivery to eligible, new or expanding companies – all at no cost. Any manufacturing, corporate headquarters, warehouse and distribution, research and development or other strategic facility must create at least 15 jobs; and, service providers must create at least 50 jobs.

The QUALITY JOBS PROGRAM provides a 5 percent or 6 percent rebate on annual payroll expenses for up to 10 years, and either a 4 percent sales/use tax rebate on capital expenditures or an investment tax credit equal to 1.5 percent of qualifying expenses. A project must create at least 5 jobs, and there are no minimum investment requirements. The program is eligible to businesses that fall within one of the state’s target industries or have total annual out-of-state sales of at least 50 percent.

The DIGITAL MEDIA AND SOFTWARE INCENTIVE provides a 25 percent refundable tax credit on qualified production expenditures and a 35 percent refundable tax credit for Louisiana resident labor expenditures. There are no minimum investment requirements and no cap on costs. The incentive is eligible to digital interactive media productions in Louisiana, excluding largely static Internet sites and products regulated under the Louisiana Game Control Law.

The MEGA-PROJECTS DEVELOPMENT FUND provides grants of up to 30 percent of the total cost of a project that creates or retains at least 500 direct jobs or that provides a major investment in the state. A project must create 500 direct jobs, create or save at least 500 direct jobs at a facility that has been closed or a facility that risks closure, or provide a minimum initial investment of $500 million through the creation of a new facility or the expansion of an existing facility. In addition, the project must provide a substantial return on the investment by the state as measured by projected tax revenues.

The RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TAX CREDIT provides a refundable tax credit of up to 40 percent to businesses that conduct research and development activities (or secure certain federal SBIR/STTR grants) within Louisiana. The tax credit depends on the number of Louisiana resident employees. Companies who incur research and development expenses may be able to receive credits against state income and corporate franchise taxes. Companies whose research and development tax credits exceed their tax liabilities receive a refund from the state.

ANGEL INVESTOR TAX CREDIT: Provides up to a 35 percent tax credit for individual investors who invest in early stage, wealth-creating businesses.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AWARD PROGRAM: Provides funding for site and/or infrastructure improvements for projects creating new jobs.

ENTERPRISE ZONE: Provides a $2,500 tax credit for each certified net new job created; and either a 4 percent sales/use tax rebate on capital expenditures or income and franchise tax credits up to 1.5 percent of investment.

INDUSTRIAL TAX EXEMPTION: Provides a100 percent property tax abatement for up to 10 years on materials used in new manufacturing.

LIVE PERFORMANCE TAX CREDIT: Provides a tax credit up to 35 percent on qualified production or infrastructure development expenditures, with additional tax credits available for payroll and transportation expenditures.

MODERNIZATION TAX CREDIT: Provides a 5 percent refundable state tax credit for manufacturers modernizing or upgrading existing facilities in Louisiana.

MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT TAX CREDIT: A transferable tax credit of 30 percent for qualified motion picture production expenditures and an additional 5 percent tax credit for Louisiana resident labor expenditures.

RESTORATION TAX ABATEMENT: Provides a five-year 100 percent property tax abatement for the rehabilitation of an existing structure.

SOUND RECORDING INVESTOR TAX CREDIT: Provides a 25 percent refundable tax credit for qualified production expenditures on state-certified sound recording projects.

TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALIZATION CREDIT AND JOBS PROGRAM: Provides a 40 percent refundable tax credit for companies that invest in the commercialization of Louisiana technology and a 6 percent payroll rebate for the creation new, direct jobs.

MAINE

COMMERCIAL LOAN INSURANCE PROGRAM: Insures a portion of a loan to a business made by a participating financial institution. Insurance Types:

• Pro-rata: covers a certain percentage of lenders loss after a default and liquidation, up to 100 percent.
• Leveraged: Covers 100 percent of lenders loss up to 25 percent of the loan amount.

PINE TREE DEVELOPMENT ZONE PROGRAM: Offers eligible businesses the chance to greatly reduce or virtually eliminate state taxes for up to ten years. Eligible Sectors include Biotechnology, Aquaculture and Marine Technology, Composite Materials Technology, Environmental Technology, Advanced Technologies for Forestry and Agriculture, Manufacturing (including Precision Manufacturing) IT and Financial Services.

SMALL ENTERPRISE GROWTH FUND (SEGF): Provides Maine companies and entrepreneurs access to patient sources of venture capital. The fund is a $9 million dollar revolving, “evergreen” fund. The SEGF is a professionally managed venture capital fund that invests exclusively in Maine companies that demonstrate a potential for high growth and public benefit.

STATE SMALL BUSINESS CREDIT INITIATIVES (SSBCI): $13.2 million in funds will help create new private sector jobs and spur more than $132 million in additional small-businesses lending in the state. The funding will take place in three stages, with the first allocation of $4.3 million now taking place. The SSBCI funds will be used to recapitalize three existing, successful programs:

1. $7 million will be available to a group of 15 regional economic development agencies to make loans to businesses in their area. See FAME’s Regional Economic Development Revolving Loan Program.
2. $3.2 million will be allocated to FAME for the Economic Recovery Loan Program – loans of up to $1 million that meet the program’s underwriting requirements, which can be used statewide;
3. $3 million will be allocated to the Small Enterprise Growth Fund–Maine’s state-run venture capital fund.

ECONOMIC RECOVERY LOAN PROGRAM: Provides subordinate (gap) financing to assist businesses in their efforts to remain viable and/or improve productivity. From time to time, funds are used to address specific business community needs. Maine-based businesses that exhibit a reasonable ability to repay the loan and demonstrate that other sources of capital have been exhausted are eligible for the $750,000 maximum loan amount. Interest rate is fixed at Wall Street Journal Prime plus 2 percent, set at commitment. Loan term is a maximum of five years. Amortization may be based on the useful life of the assets being financed or additional collateral pledged. Balloon payments typically required.

SEED CAPITAL TAX CREDIT: Designed to encourage equity and near-equity investments in eligible Maine businesses, directly and through private venture capital funds. State income tax credits may be authorized to investors for up to 60 percent of the cash equity they provide to eligible Maine businesses. Investments may be used for fixed assets, research or working capital.

MAINE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT VENTURE CAPITAL REVOLVING INVESTMENT PROGRAM: Designed to allow the State to invest as an equal partner with others in eligible private venture capital funds to support emerging and early-growth businesses in Maine. There is a maximum investment of $1,000,000 per fund. It is intended to utilize experienced professional fund managers to increase the probability of successful investments in recipient companies and is available only to established venture capital funds that have a strategy for the creation and retention of jobs in Maine through:

• Investments in Maine high-growth businesses.
• A marketing and technical assistance plan.
• Appropriate monitoring of its investments.
• A technical assistance program to assist the businesses in which it invests.
• A process for complying with proposed measurement and goals.

MAINE NEW MARKETS CAPITAL INVESTMENT PROGRAM: Provides refundable state tax credits of up to 39 percent to investors in qualified community development entities (CDEs) that reinvest in certain businesses in eligible low-income communities in Maine. The program is modeled after the federal New Markets Tax Credit Program, and is administered by the Finance Authority of Maine, in cooperation with Maine Revenue Services and the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development.

In order to be eligible to participate in the program, a CDE must be certified as a qualified community development by the Secretary of the United States Treasury, and be a party to an existing allocation agreement with the Department of Treasury’s CDFI Fund that is in effect and not subject to revocation or cancellation. The allocation agreement must have Maine in its service area.

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING LOAN FUND: Provides low interest financing to help eligible businesses employ new and innovative technologies and processes in order to improve, expand and enhance the manufacturing, marketability and production of Maine-made agricultural products. Funds may be used for the design, construction or improvement of facilities such as commodity storage buildings and packing and marketing facilities. Funds may also be used to purchase or retrofit machinery and equipment. Depending on the type of project, the loan amount is up to 90 percent of total project cost, if project cost is $100,000 or less; up to 75 percent of total project cost, if project cost is more than $100,000; and up to 45 percent of total project cost, if project is related to the production of potatoes. Maximum loan amount is $250,000, and acquisition costs for start-up enterprises is limited to $100,000.

ENERGY CONSERVATION LOAN PROGRAM: Funded through the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC), it provides low-interest loans to improve energy efficiency in Maine workplaces. Loan amount is 90 percent of project cost, up to a maximum loan amount of $35,000 and the interest rate is 1 percent, fixed for the term of the loan. Loan term is usually 5 years. Longer terms may be negotiated depending on the useful life of the assets being financed or additional collateral pledged.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM (CDBG): Provides funding and technical support for community projects that meet economic development objectives and lead to job creation or retention for Maine residents with low to moderate incomes.

TAX INCREMENT FINANCING (TIF): Provides municipalities with a local tool to finance the cost of private development. Maine municipalities may redirect some or all of the new property taxes from an investment project within a designated district to assist in that project’s financing. Municipalities have three disbursement options for the tax increment:

• Give directly to the investing business to pay project costs.
• Use to retire bonds issued as part of the project.
• Retain for allowable economic development.

TIF districts may be designated for up to 30 years. Bonds may be issued for up to 20 years. Financing terms are determined by the municipality. Community designation of a TIF district requires proper public notice, a public hearing, and a majority vote of the municipal legislative body.

SMALL ENTERPRISE GROWTH FUND (SEGF): Provides initial investments, typically between $150,000 and $350,000, in patient capital to small businesses that demonstrate a potential for high growth and public benefit. Funds must be matched in cash. Investments from the fund may be structured as convertible debentures or direct purchases of preferred stock.

MARYLAND

INVEST MARYLAND: Designed to unlock capital for early-stage companies, InvestMaryland will fuel investment in our innovation economy, capitalize small and minority businesses, and replenish the DBED-administered Maryland Venture Fund. The program is effective January 2011 with first round of funds available by June 2012. The program will provide $100 million in insurance premium tax credits that will be auctioned to raise venture capital for the State’s entrepreneurs. Two-thirds of the funds will be invested on behalf of the State by private venture capital firms, while the Maryland Venture Fund and the Maryland Small Business Development Financing Authority will administer the remaining one-third. The bill also allocates $250,000 to the Rural Maryland Council, an organization that promotes the State’s natural resource based industries.

STATE SMALL BUSINESS CREDIT INITIATIVE: Passed as part of President Obama’s Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, this initiative awarded Maryland with $23 million to strengthen existing financing programs that support lending to small businesses. The State is allocating the funds to programs that leverage private lending to help finance small businesses that are creditworthy, but are not getting the loans they need to expand and create jobs.

MARYLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE AUTHORITY AND FUND: There are five financing capabilities offered through the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Authority and Fund (MEDAAF), with assistance being provided to the business community and political jurisdictions. To qualify for assistance from MEDAAF, applicants are restricted to businesses located within a priority funding area and an eligible industry sector. With a few exceptions, assistance cannot exceed 70 percent of the total project costs.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM: Provides funding to commercial and industrial economic development projects. Program funds are dispersed to a local jurisdiction in the form of a conditional grant and are then used for public improvements or loaned to a business.

MARYLAND VENTURE FUND: A state-funded seed and early-stage equity fund; an evergreen fund that receives annual allocations from the Maryland State Legislature. The Fund makes direct investments in technology and life science companies and indirect investments in venture capital funds. Approximately 60 percent of the Fund is invested in technology companies in the areas of software, communications, and IT security, and 40 percent of the Fund is invested in life sciences companies in the areas of therapeutics, medical devices, and diagnostics.

CHALLENGE INVESTMENT PROGRAM: Provides financing for seed-stage companies to cover a portion of the initial costs associated with bringing new products to market. Initial investments of $50,000 to $100,000 are made with incremental investments to a maximum of $150,000. These incremental investments are awarded based upon the client’s performance and the client’s ability to achieve milestones set by the Maryland Venture Fund at the time of the initial closing.

BIO-HEATING OIL TAX CREDIT: Allows an individual or corporation to claim a credit for each gallon of heating oil blended with biodiesel purchased for space or water heating. For any tax year, the credit allowed under this section may not exceed $500, or the state income tax for that tax year. It is available for the tax years beginning after December 31, 2007, but before January 1, 2018 and remains effective for 10 years. Sole proprietorships, corporations and pass through entities, such as partnerships, subchapter S corporations, limited liability companies and business trusts may claim the tax credit.

BIOTECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT: An individual or business may be allowed a tax credit of up to 50 percent of the amount contributed to a qualified Maryland biotechnology company, not to exceed $250,000. The credit may be taken against corporate income tax or personal income tax. Sole proprietorships, corporations and pass-through entities, such as partnerships, subchapter S corporations, limited liability companies and business trusts, may claim the tax credit.

BUSINESSES THAT CREATE NEW JOBS CREDIT: Businesses located in Maryland that create new positions and establish or expand business facilities in the state may be entitled to a tax credit. To be eligible for the tax credit, businesses must first have been granted a property tax credit by a local government of Maryland for creating the new jobs.

The credit may be taken against corporate income tax, personal income tax or insurance premiums tax. The credit may be applied to only one of these tax types in addition to the property tax. Sole proprietorships, corporations and pass-through entities, such as partnerships, subchapter S corporations, limited liability companies and business trusts may claim the tax credit.

CELLULOSIC ETHANOL TECHNOLOGY R&D TAX CREDIT: Businesses that incur qualified research and development expenses for cellulosic ethanol technology in Maryland are entitled to a tax credit. The total credits for all businesses may not exceed $250,000 per year. This credit is available for tax years beginning after December 31, 2007, but before January 1, 2017. The credit may be taken against corporate income tax or personal income tax. Sole proprietorships, corporations and pass through entities, such as partnerships, subchapter S corporations, limited liability companies and business trusts may claim the tax credit.

CLEAN ENERGY INCENTIVE TAX CREDIT: Businesses that use certain renewable energy sources or waste materials to produce electricity that is sold to an unrelated person may be entitled to an income tax credit. The facility must be placed in service, or co-firing with coal must begin, on or after January 1, 2006, but before January 1, 2016. Sole proprietorships, corporations and pass-through entities, such as partnerships, subchapter S corporations, limited liability companies and business trusts may claim the tax credit.

COMMUNITY INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT: Businesses and individuals that donate to qualified organizations’ approved projects can earn credits equal to 50 percent of the value of the money, goods or real property contribution operated by tax exempt organizations (under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3)) are eligible for a tax credit of up to $250,000. This credit is in addition to any charitable contribution deduction that is allowed for these contributions on both the state and federal income tax returns. The credit may be taken against corporate income tax, personal income tax, insurance premiums tax or public service company franchise tax. The same credit may not, however, be applied to more than one tax type.

COMMUTER TAX CREDIT: Maryland-based businesses that provide commuter benefits for employees may be entitled to a tax credit for a portion of the amounts paid during the taxable year. Commuter benefits include certain costs for an employee’s travel to and from home and the workplace, a Guaranteed Ride Home program or a parking “Cash-Out” program. The credit may be taken against corporate income tax, personal income tax, state and local taxes withheld (for tax-exempt organizations) or insurance premiums tax. The same credit may not, however, be applied to more than one tax type. Sole proprietorships, corporations, tax-exempt nonprofit organizations and pass-through entities, such as partnerships, subchapter S corporations, limited liability companies and business trusts may claim the tax credit.

EMPLOYER-PROVIDED LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE TAX CREDIT: Employers who provide long-term care insurance as part of an employee benefit package may claim a credit for costs incurred. The credit may be taken against corporate income tax, personal income tax, insurance premiums tax or public service company franchise tax. The same credit may not, however, be applied to more than one tax type. Sole proprietorships, corporations and pass-through entities, such as partnerships, subchapter S corporations, limited liability companies and business trusts may claim the tax credit.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY TAX CREDIT: Businesses that hire an individual who is receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) or Family Investment Program (FIP) entitlements may be entitled to a tax credit for wages paid to the employee and for child care and transportation expenses paid on behalf of the employee. The credit may be claimed for individuals hired before July 1, 2009. The credit may be taken against corporate income tax, personal income tax, state and local taxes withheld (for certain tax-exempt organizations only), insurance premiums tax or public service company franchise tax. The same credit may not, however, be applied to more than one tax type.

ENTERPISE ZONE TAX CREDIT: Businesses located in a Maryland enterprise zone may be entitled to a tax credit for wages paid to newly hired employees. The local enterprise zone administrator must certify the business to qualify for the credit. The credit may be taken against corporate income tax or personal income tax.

JOB CREATION TAX CREDIT: Businesses that expand or establish a facility in Maryland before January 1, 2013, resulting in the creation of new positions in the state may be entitled to a tax credit. The amount of the tax credit is based on the number of positions created or on the wages paid to the new employees hired to fill those positions.

MARYLAND DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT TAX CREDIT: Businesses that hire people with disabilities may be entitled to a tax credit for wages paid to the employees and for child care or transportation expenses paid on behalf of the employees. A person with a disability includes a veteran released from the armed forces for a service-related disability. The credit may be claimed for individuals hired before July 1, 2012.

MARYLAND-MINED COAL TAX CREDIT: A co-generator, a public service company or an electricity supplier that purchases coal mined in Maryland on or before December 31, 2020 may be eligible for a tax credit.

ONE MARYLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TAX CREDIT: Certain businesses that establish or expand a business facility in a priority funding area or as part of a project approved by the Board of Public Works, and that are located in a “distressed” Maryland county, may be entitled to a tax credit for costs related to the new or expanded facility. A “distressed” county has, for the most recent 24-month period, an average rate of unemployment that is 150 percent higher than the statewide average or an average per-capita personal income that is equal to or less than 67 percent of the statewide average, and includes a county (including Baltimore City) that no longer meets one of these requirements, but did so at some time during the preceding 12-months.

R&D TAX CREDIT: Businesses that incur qualified research and development expenses in Maryland are entitled to a tax credit. The total credits for all businesses may not exceed $6 million per year.

SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES TAX CREDIT: This credit replaces the Heritage Structure Rehabilitation Tax Credit as of June 1, 2010. This credit is an expansion of the Heritage Structure Tax Credit and alters eligibility requirements of the credit. A refundable credit may be allowed for substantial expenditures incurred to rehabilitate certified structures in Maryland on or after June 1, 2010, but before July 1, 2014.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROPERTY TAX CREDIT: A telecommunications company that is a public utility is allowed a credit for a portion of the total property taxes paid by the company on its operating real property in Maryland, other than operating land, that is used in its telecommunications business. The credit may be taken only against corporate income tax. Only corporations may claim the tax credit.

WORK-BASED LEARNING PROGRAM TAX CREDIT: Businesses that hire students as part of an approved work-based learning program in the state may be entitled to a tax credit for a portion of the wages paid to the individuals. The credit may be claimed only for tax years beginning after December 31, 2008. The tax credit is in effect for five years and ends June 30, 2013.

MASSACHUSETTS

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE PROGRAM (EDIP): Participating companies may receive state and local tax incentives in exchange for job creation, manufacturing job retention and private investment commitments. It offers incentives in several ways:

• In municipalities that are Economic Target Areas, expansions can be assisted with locally‐approved TIF agreements which are exemptions on the value added to a property in the expansion and a state‐approved 3‐5 percent Investment Tax Credit,
• For projects that result in 100 or more new jobs (Enhanced Expansion Projects), companies can be approved by the state for the Investment Tax Credits of up to 10 percent, without the need for any local approvals,
• For projects in select “Gateway Communities” that create 100+ jobs, companies can pursue both a local TIF agreement and state‐approved Investment Tax Credits of up to 10 percent. Manufacturing Retention projects can receive up to a 40 percent.

INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT (ITC): Offers a 3 percent credit for qualifying businesses against their Massachusetts corporate excise tax. The credit is to be used for the purchase and lease of qualified tangible property used in the course of doing business. The ITC can reduce the cost of expansion, includes a carry forward provision and is considered a permanent incentive.

R&D TAX CREDIT: A tax incentive for research and development investment for both manufacturers and R&D companies. It was designed to remove any obstacles to R&D investment and spur growth and innovation throughout the Commonwealth. The R&D tax credit closely resembles the federal credit program, however, it specifically offers qualifying Massachusetts companies many unique features for doing business in Massachusetts. It is available to any foreign or domestic corporation subject to the corporate excise under Chapter 63 Massachusetts Law

SINGLE SALES FACTOR: Tax apportionment that significantly reduces the tax burden for manufacturers and other qualifying companies and may apply to the following types of companies that have multi-state tax filings:

• Manufacturing companies
• Qualifying defense contractors
• Qualifying financial service providers

TAX INCREMENT FINANCING: Allows municipalities to provide flexible targeted incentives to stimulate job-creating development

• Negotiated Agreement between business and host municipality;
• 5 year minimum, 20 year maximum or anything in between;
• Business pays full tax rate on the “base value”;
• Exemption from property taxation on all or part of the increased value accrued as a result of development
• Percentage of exemption may range from 5% to 100%;
• Personal property tax exemption for both existing and new property;
• M.G.L. 40 § 59 governs all TIF Agreements.

BROWNFIELDS REDEVELOPMENT FUND: Created in 1998 to encourage the reuse of Brownfields in Economically Distressed Areas (EDAs) throughout MA. Brownfields are vacant, abandoned or underutilized industrial or commercial properties where expansion, redevelopment or improvement is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination and liability. MassDevelopment administers the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund programs.

• The Brownfields Site Assessment Program – Provides unsecured, interest free financing up to $100,000 for environmental assessment of Brownfields.
• The Brownfields Remediation Loan Program – Provides flexible loans up to $500,000 for environmental clean-up of Brownfields.

WORKFORCE TRAINING FUND (WTF): Provides grants up to $100,000 to upgrade skills of new or incumbent workers. The Hiring Incentive Training Grant provides up to $2,000 in training funds for hiring eligible unemployed workers.

GREEN LOAN PROGRAM: Bridges the gap between energy efficiency project costs and the rebates or subsidies provided by utility companies and state/federal incentive programs. To be eligible, an organization must be a non-profit or for-profit business in Massachusetts that has been in existence for at least five years and demonstrates an ability to repay the loan.

Loans are available in the amounts of $50,000 to $500,000 and are net of project-related rebates or subsidies.

Loans may only be made for projects that receive approval for a utility rebate under a public utility sponsored energy efficient program authorized by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities or approval for a subsidy from a state/federal energy efficiency incentive. Funds may be used for:

• HVAC replacements or improvements
• Windows, insulation, and other building improvements
• Lighting
• Energy control systems
• Chillers and Boilers
• Hot water heaters
• Photovoltaic panels

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY FUND (ETF): Targets technology companies that are starting up or expanding manufacturing in Massachusetts by providing financing for manufacturing facilities and equipment. It offers loans or loan participations up to $2,500,000 and loan guarantees up to $1,000,000. Companies that receive ETF financing must have strong management teams, demonstrated technical feasibility, market demand for their products and a proven fundraising record. To qualify for ETF financing:

• Borrower must be a technology company starting or expanding manufacturing operations in Massachusetts
• Financing must be for the purchase, expansion or improvement of real estate, and/or the purchase of equipment
• There must be at least two other parties at risk
• Financial investment must benefit the Massachusetts economy

COMMUNITY SERVICE 501(C)(3) LOAN FUND: Flexible financing for capital improvements for community-based nonprofit organizations such as elder care centers, daycare facilities, community centers and girls’ and boys’ clubs. The fund will provide loans ranging from $100,000 up to $500,000. Eligible applicants must be registered as a Massachusetts-based 501(c)(3) organization; have an operating budget of less than $5 million for each of the last five years; provide social, youth or family services; primarily work in underserved or disadvantaged communities; and, be ineligible for financing under existing loan programs.

MA CULTURAL FACILITIES FUND (CFF): An initiative of the Commonwealth to increase public and private investment in cultural facilities throughout the state. The Program is administered jointly with the Massachusetts Cultural Council and three types of grant programs are available:

1. Capital Grants for expenses related to acquisition, design, construction, repair, renovation and rehabilitation of other capital improvements or deferred maintenance of a cultural facility
2. Feasibility and Technical Assistance Grants for expenses related to planning and feasibility assessment for a cultural facility
3. Systems Replacement Grants for expenses to undertake the production of 20-year capital needs assessments of their buildings and mechanical systems

All Fund grants must be matched by contributions from the private or public sector and are available to:

• Nonprofit 501(c) 3 organizations primarily engaged in the arts, humanities or interpretive sciences. Eligible facilities include, but are not limited to, museums, historic sites, zoos, aquariums, theaters, concert halls, exhibition spaces, classrooms and auditoriums, and must be owned, leased or used by one or more nonprofit cultural organizations and accessible to the public
• Public/private institutions of higher education that own cultural facilities providing service and open access to the community and the general public beyond their educational mission and demonstrate financial need
• Municipalities that own cultural facilities provided that the cultural facility is at least 50,000 square feet, and 50 percent devoted to cultural purposes

SMALL FARM LOAN PROGRAM: To help small farmers in Massachusetts finance projects that improve their operations and increase their income, MassDevelopment, The Strolling of the Heifers, Inc. and The Carrot Project have teamed together to offer a small farm loan program that provides loans ranging from $3,000 to $35,000. Eligible farmers will own or lease farms in Massachusetts.

TECH DOLLARS: MassDevelopment offers a special loan program to help non-profit 501(c) 3 organizations purchase and install technology equipment. TechDollars provides loans from $25,000 to $250,000 and 100 percent of cost of purchase of new or used telecommunications and IT equipment and installation costs

To be eligible, the borrower must be a Massachusetts 501(c) 3 organization and equipment purchased must be installed in facilities located in the state.

LIFE SCIENCE INCENTIVES

• COOPERATIVE RESEARCH GRANT: Supports industry‐sponsored research at universities and facilitates scientific discoveries that lead to medical applications with grants of $250,000 per year for up to three years, in a 1:1 match with its industry partner.

• NEW FACULTY STARTUP GRANT: Targets investments to attract and retain nationally prominent faculty at Massachusetts’ colleges and universities with grants of $250,000 per year for up to three years, in a 1:1 match with the academic institution.

• NEW INVESTIGATOR GRANT: Spurring innovative new research and advancing the careers of new investigators who are working on cutting‐edge research at Massachusetts academic research centers with grants of $100,000 per year for up to three years.

• LIFE SCIENCES ACCELERATOR: Financing, up to $750,000, for early‐stage companies to help leverage additional sources of capital.

• SMALL BUSINESS MATCHING GRANT (SMBG) – Provides “matching” support—capped at $500,000 per company—to Phase II or Post Phase II SBIR or STTR grants already received by applicant companies.

• LIFE SCIENCES TAX INCENTIVE PROGRAM: Companies that are growing jobs, investments and revenue are prospects for the nine distinct tax incentives of the LSI. To receive benefits, companies must apply to the MLSC to become a Certified Life Science Company. The incentives include:

o Refundable 10% Investment Tax Credit
o Refundable FDA User fee Credit
o Refundable Research Tax Credit
o Elimination of Sales Factor Throwback
o Deduction for Orphan Drug Clinical Testing
o Special Sales Tax Exemption
o Life Sciences Research Credit
o Construction Sales Tax Exemption

MICHIGAN

BUSINESS TAX REFORM: The unpopular Michigan Business Tax (MBT) will be replaced effective January 1, 2012 with a simpler and competitive corporate income tax. What does this mean? All industries are in line for significant tax cuts. Lower rates will tax C corporations at 6 percent on federal taxable income apportioned to Michigan. Other entities—individuals, partnerships and LLCs—have income flow to their personal income tax. It is expected that 100,000 businesses will pay no business taxes. The personal income tax rate remains 4.35 percent and is scheduled to decline to 4.25 percent in 2013. The new simplified tax system eliminates a laundry list of MBT credits and deductions. The alternative business income tax for small business remains intact. When the 2012 tax changes take effect, Michigan is projected to rank #13 in the Tax Foundation’s U.S. overall business tax climate ranking, and #22 for corporate taxes, up from #48.

PURE MICHIGAN BUSINESS CONNECT: Michigan businesses now have new ways to buy and sell, raise capital and connect with one another. Pure Michigan Business Connect is a $3 billion public-private economic gardening initiative matching people with resources and strengthening relationships to fuel economic growth, including:

• venture capital, debt financing, collateral support, other funding assistance
• customized market research
• executive and professional talent search assistance
• training support
• customized site searches
• ombudsman services
• entrepreneur services
• export assistance
• legal services
• matchmaking with Michigan suppliers

NEW INCENTIVE PROGRAMS FOR BUSINESS, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: New economic development and community revitalization programs will provide $100 million in incentives for highly competitive projects in Michigan.

The Michigan Business Development and Michigan Community Revitalization Programs replace the state’s previous MEGA, Brownfield and Historic tax credit programs that were features of the old Michigan Business Tax.

The Michigan Business Development Program will provide grants, loans or other economic assistance of up to $10 million to businesses that are creating qualified new jobs and making new investments in Michigan. Factors to be considered in making these awards include: out-of-state competition, private investment in the project, business diversification opportunities, near-term job creation, wage and benefit levels of the new jobs, and net-positive return to the state. Business retention and retail projects are not eligible for consideration of these incentives.

The Michigan Community Revitalization Program will provide grants, loans, or other economic assistance of up to $10 million to projects that will revitalize regional urban areas, act as a catalyst for additional investment in a community, reuse vacant or historic buildings and promote mixed use and sustainable development.

NEW TALENT PORTAL: Through the MEDC Job Portal, employers can register to post openings and work closely with the MEDC’s Talent Acquisition team to devise strategies to meet their talent needs. Companies posting on the Job Portal will also have access to the MEDC’s other talent acquisition services, including targeted marketing and social media outreach, career events, assistance with identifying relocation services and a triage approach to addressing hard-to-fill positions and hiring challenges. The portal also allows job seekers to search for positions around the state, create profiles and add their resumes to the talent database. The MEDC Job Portal is currently being used in concert with the Michigan Talent Bank. Both systems are working together to effectively connect Michigan’s businesses and job seekers.

COST-CUTTING & OMBUDSMAN SERVICES: The MEDC helps companies save money through Workers’ Compensation Cost Control Service. Companies are also assisted in finding property for expansions. The Business Ombudsman Office provides impartial, independent and confidential assistance in resolving disputes and investigating business complaints against state government agencies.

FEDERAL CONTRACT ASSISTANCE: With the growing need for qualified defense contractors, the Michigan Defense Center strategically connects defense industry buyers and prime contractors with Michigan based-companies. In addition, Procurement Technical Assistance Centers assist companies throughout the entire government procurement process from pre-award to post-award. MEDC also tracks federal grant programs and makes companies aware of opportunities and offer letters of support where applicable.

PATENT/TRADEMARK WORK: In conjunction with Michigan law firms and the Small Business Technology Development Center network, the MEDC is launching an initiative to make available pro bono services in the IP sectors of patents, trademark and copyright laws.

MINNESOTA

DATA CENTER SALES TAX EXEMPTIONS: Enacted in July 2011, Minnesota created a major tax exemption for data center projects. Qualified data centers will receive a 20-year exemption from sales tax on equipment and energy used in the center (Minnesota state sales tax is 6.875 percent.). To be qualified, the data center must be at least 30,000 square feet of new or substantially renovated space, and represent at least $50 million in construction and equipment costs within 24 months. The incentive takes effect July 1, 2012. Minnesota is also blessed with no personal property or inventory tax. Other benefits in Minnesota are cooler climate to reduce cooling costs, low risk for earthquakes and other natural disasters, a robust fiber network, and reasonably priced and abundant energy.

JOB OPPORTUNITY BUILDING ZONE (JOBZ): Provides local and state tax exemptions to qualified companies that start up or expand in targeted areas of Greater Minnesota. There are 10 job zones comprising more than 29,000 acres in about 325 communities. Each zone includes acres for primarily manufacturing, value-added or high paying service businesses. Benefits are determined by the exact nature of the business expansion, as well as its effective date. JOBZ benefits accrue from the date businesses qualify and continue until December 31, 2015, when the JOBZ program is scheduled to expire. Businesses that startup or expand in a zone or relocate from other states or from elsewhere in Minnesota are eligible for the incentives if they meet certain job and wage goals:

• They must increase employment by a minimum of five jobs or 20 percent (whichever is greater) within the first full year of operations in the zone.

o  They must pay each employee (including benefits not mandated by law) at a level equal to at least 110 percent of the federal poverty level for a family of four.

ANGEL TAX CREDIT: Signed into law on April 1, 2010, it offers incentives to investors or investment funds that put money into startup and emerging companies focused on high technology or new proprietary technology. Funding for years 2012-2014 is set at $12 million per year. To qualify, businesses must meet these general criteria. At minimum they must:

• Be headquartered in Minnesota
• Have a minimum of 51 percent of employees and 51 percent of payroll in Minnesota
• Have fewer than 25 employees
• Pay employees annual wages of at least 175 percent of poverty level
• Pay interns 175 percent of federal minimum wage
• Not have been in operation for more than 10 years
• Not previously have received private equity investments of more than $4 million
• Not have been disqualified from investment under MN Stat. 80 A.50 (b)(3)
• Not have generated more than $4 million in investments that have received an Angel Tax Credit.
• Be certified by DEED before investment is made. The non-refundable certification filing fee is $150

In addition, qualifying businesses must also be engaged in—or committed to engage in—technological innovation in MN. Their primary business activities must include one or more of the following:

• Using proprietary technology to add value to a product, process or service in a qualified high-technology fiel
• Researching or developing a proprietary product, process, or service in a qualified high-technology field
• Researching, developing, or producing a new proprietary technology for use in the fields of: agriculture, tourism, forestry, mining, manufacturing or transportation

STATE SMALL BUSINESS CREDIT INITIATIVE (SSBCI): Uses federal funding to stimulate private-sector lending and improve access to capital for small businesses and manufacturers that are creditworthy but not getting loans they need to expand and create jobs. It allocates up to $15.4 million into four state programs: The Capital Access Program, Emerging Entrepreneurs Fund, Small Business Loan Guarantees and Early Stage Fun

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT TAX CREDIT: Individuals involved in partnerships, S-corporations and limited liability companies are allowed to claim the credit against their individual income taxes. This opens up the tax credit to more small and medium-sized businesses. The tax credit for R&D expenditures is10 percent, up to the first $2 million in eligible expenses and 2.5 percent for eligible expenses above $2 million.

MINNESOTA INVESTMENT FUND: Provides grants to help add new workers and retain high-quality jobs on a statewide basis. The focus is on industrial, manufacturing and technology-related industries to increase the local and state tax base and improve economic vitality statewide. Grants are awarded to local units of government (one grant per state fiscal year) who provide loans to assist expanding businesses. Cities, counties, townships and recognized Indian tribal governments are eligible for this fund. All projects must meet minimum criteria for private investment, number of jobs created or retained and wages paid. There is a maximum of $500,000 per grant. At least 50 percent of total project costs must be privately financed through owner equity and other lending sources. Grant terms are for a maximum of 20 years for real estate and a maximum of 10 years for machinery and equipment. Interest rates are negotiated.

SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT LOAN PROGRAM: Provides loans for business expansions that result in the creation of new jobs. Small business loans up to $5 million are made by the Minnesota Agricultural and Economic Development Board (MAEDB) through the issuance of industrial development bonds. Manufacturing and industrial companies located or intending to locate in Minnesota and meet the federal definition of a small business (generally those with 500 or fewer employees) are eligible.

URBAN INITIATIVE LOAN PROGRAM: Created to support the growth of minority owned and operated businesses and to create jobs in economically distressed areas of the Twin Cities. Grant funds are provided to a network of nonprofit lenders to use for loans to start-up and expanding businesses. Start-up and expansion costs, including normal expenses such as machinery and equipment, inventory and receivables, working capital, new construction, renovation and site acquisition are eligible for the program. Businesses eligible for loans include technologically innovative industries, value-added manufacturing and information industries. Project must demonstrate potential to create jobs for low-income people; be unable to obtain sufficient capital from traditional private lenders; and demonstrate the potential to succeed. Businesses must be located in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Burnsville, Columbia Heights, Coates, Coon Rapids, Fridley, Lauderdale, Lexington, Mendota, Miesville, New Germany, New Brighton, New Hope, Newport, Richfield, Spring Lake Park, South St. Paul and West St. Paul. Micro enterprises, including retail businesses, may apply for up to $25,000. Businesses that are seeking more than $25,000 will be required to find private financing to match the state’s investment. The maximum Urban Initiative investment in any one business is $150,000.

INDIAN BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM: Supports the development of Indian-owned and operated businesses and promotes economic opportunities for Indian people throughout the state. The Minnesota Chippewa Tribe has authority to use IBLP funds to make loans to businesses owned and operated by an enrolled member of its six participating bands–Bois Forte, Fond du Lac, Grand Portage, Leech Lake, Mille Lacs and White Earth. Applicants must be enrolled members of a federally recognized Minnesota-based band or tribe. Businesses must be wholly owned by an enrolled member and can be located anywhere in the state, although the bulk of the loans are made to businesses on a reservation. Loan proceeds may cover start-up and expansion costs. Loans may not exceed 75 percent of the projects costs or the balance of the funds available to any one tribe. Owners must provide a portion of the financing needed to undertake the project. The amount varies between 5 percent and 10 percent, depending upon the requirements of each band or tribe.

BORDER CITIES ENTERPRISE ZONE PROGRAM: Provides business tax credits (property tax credits, debt financing credit on new construction, sales tax credit on construction equipment and materials, and new or existing employee credits) to qualifying businesses that are the source of investment, development and job creation or retention in the Border-Cities Enterprise Zone cities of Breckenridge, Dilworth, East Grand Forks, Moorhead and Ortonville

SEED CAPITAL INVESTMENT CREDIT PROGRAM: Provides tax incentives for investing in innovative business located in the Minnesota border cities of Breckenridge, Dilworth, East Grand Forks, Moorhead and Ortonville. Investors may receive a 45 percent tax credit on their investment, up to $112,500 per year. The credit is non-refundable and may be carried forward up to four years.

TOURISM BUSINESS SEPTIC TANK REPLACEMENT: Makes low-interest financing available to existing tourism-related businesses that provide overnight lodging and need to replace a failed septic system. Participation loans in cooperation with financial institutions can be made for up to 50 percent of the total cost of the project.

SBIR PROGRAM: Provides federal grants for small companies in the critical startup and development stages, helping them to compete with larger, more established companies. Each year, 11 federal departments and agencies set aside a portion of their research and development funds for award to small business. To be eligible, companies must be at least 51-percent American-owned, independently operated and located in the United States. Other requirements include:

• Perform all work in the United States.
• Be for-profit.
• Be the primary employer of the lead researcher at the time of award. That researcher may not be employed full time by another institution or company.
• Perform the majority of work themselves, rather than through consultants or subcontractors.
• Have 500 employees or fewer.

SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PROGRAM (STTR): Provides federal grants to encourage partnerships between businesses with ideas for new technologies and products and the nonprofit R&D institutions that can bring those products to market. Each year, five federal departments and agencies are required by STTR to reserve a portion of their R&D funds for award to small business/nonprofit research institution partnerships. Both small businesses and nonprofit research institutions must meet certain requirements. Small businesses must be American-owned and independently operated, be for-profit and have 500 employees or fewer. The principal researcher on the project need not be employed by small business.

Nonprofit research institutions must be located in the U.S. and must also be a nonprofit college or university, a domestic nonprofit research organization, or a federally funded research-and-development center (FFRDC). Unlike the restrictions placed on participating businesses, there are no limits on the numbers of employees a nonprofit research institution may have.

MINNESOTA JOBS SKILLS PARTERNSHIP PROGRAM: Grants of up to $400,000 are awarded to educational institutions that partner with businesses to develop new-job training or retraining for existing employees. All training projects pair at least one public or private accredited Minnesota educational institution and one business. Funds may be used for training-related costs or educational infrastructure improvements necessary to support businesses located or intending to locate in Minnesota. A cash or in-kind contribution from the contributing business must match program funds on at least a one-to-one ratio.

TAX INCREMENT FINANCING (TIF): Uses the increased property taxes that a new real estate development generates to finance up-front costs of the development. The city, county or development authority uses TIF to pay qualifying costs–land acquisition, site preparation and public infrastructure, for instance–incurred for the project.

TAX ABATEMENT: Cities, counties and school districts may use tax abatement to help finance certain economically beneficial projects. Property taxes are forgiven for a period of time to allow the project to cash flow. Or the taxes are captured for a period of time and an up-front payment is made by the political subdivision to help the project cover start up costs. At least 50 percent of the payroll of the operations of the business that qualify must be for employees engaged in one of the following lines of business or any combination of them: Manufacturing, Agricultural processing, Mining, R&D, Warehousing, Qualified high technology

LOCAL ENERGY IMPROVEMENTS FINANCING PROGRAM: Provides low-interest loans to building owners who want to make their properties more energy-efficient. Open to qualified residential, commercial and industrial property owners in Minnesota, the program is funded through revenue bonds issued by participating local governments. Building owners pay back the loans through a special tax assessment that may not exceed 20 years. The energy improvements can be any permanent change to a building that leads to a net reduction in energy consumption without altering the principal source of energy.

GROWTH ACCELERATION PROGRAM: Provides consulting services to help small manufacturers that employ up to 100 workers become more efficient, more competitive and more likely to thrive and grow.

GAP provides grants of up to $50,000, which are matched dollar-for-dollar by companies. The grants are typically used to analyze and improve business and manufacturing processes.

FOREIGN TRADE ZONES: Commerce sites (industrial sites, buildings) set up in or near U.S. Customs ports of entry where merchandise is considered legally outside U.S. Customs territory. The zones are operated as public utilities by states, port authorities, other political groups or corporations charted by the state. Companies can use foreign trade zones to reduce duty payments, streamline supply chain costs and improve competitive position in domestic and foreign markets.

FEDERAL RURAL DEVELOPMENT FINANCING

• RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAM: Loans, loan guarantees and grants are available to help agricultural producers and rural small business purchase renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. Rural is defined as an area of less than 50,000 in population or its immediately adjacent incorporated communities.

• VALUE-ADDED PRODUCER GRANTS: Help producers expand their customer base by entering into emerging markets for their products or commodities and ensure that a greater portion of the revenues derived from the value-added activity is available to the producer. The maximum allowable grant amount is $100,000 for planning grants and $150,000 for working capital. Grant recipients must provide 1-to-1 matching funds and projects must be completed within 1 year. Independent producers, farmer-owned cooperatives, agricultural producer groups and majority-controlled producer-based groups are eligible to apply. Four categories are considered value-added under this program.

o   Ventures in which agricultural producers add value to their products through changing the physical state or form of the product (processing wheat into flour, corn into ethanol, slaughtering livestock).

o   Producing products in a manner that enhances its value (organic).

o   Physical segregation of an agricultural commodity or product in a manner that results in the enhancement of the value of that product.

o   Any agricultural commodity or product that is used to produce renewable energy on a farm or ranch (methane digesters, wind turbines).

• BUSINESS & INDUSTRY LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM: Loan guarantees with an upper limit of $10 million. Some high-priority projects may be guaranteed up to $25 million by the administrator in Washington. Most business purposes are eligible, e.g. building and equipment purchase or development, working capital (no lines of credit); aquaculture; commercial nurseries; tourist and recreation facilities (except golf courses); hotels and motels; community facility-type projects; facilities for lease to private businesses; and housing development sites. Eligible borrowers may generally be an individual, cooperative, corporation, partnership, non-profit corporation, Indian tribes or public body. A minimum of 20 percent tangible balance sheet equity is required on a new business and 10 percent on an existing business.

• INTERMEDIARY RELENDING PROGRAM: Loan provided to an entity (intermediary) to establish a revolving loan fund to re-lend to eligible ultimate recipients (businesses) at reasonable rates and terms. Eligible intermediaries are private non-profit corporations, any state or local government, an Indian tribe or a cooperative. IRP funds can be used to finance business facilities and community development projects in rural areas, innovative projects, land, building construction or repair, equipment, working capital, interest, feasibility studies and fees for professional services. Ultimate recipients must be located in a rural area of fewer than 25,000 in population.

• RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOAN & GRANT PROGRAM: Provides financing to develop projects that will result in a sustainable increase in economic productivity, job creation and incomes in rural areas. Eligible borrowers (or grantees) of this program are current or prepaid RUS electric and telephone borrowers. Funds are either a zero-interest loan or a grant to the utility, which in turn is re-lent as a zero-interest loan to the eligible business for a specific project. Grant funds must be matched 20 percent up-front by the borrower utility company. Projects may include business start-ups and expansion, community development, incubator projects, medical and training projects and feasibility studies.

• RURAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE GRANT PROGRAM: Applicants are public bodies, non-profit associations and Indian tribes. The purpose is to assist in financing and developing small and emerging private businesses. The grant cannot be passed through to the business. Funds can be used for a revolving loan program to provide financing to businesses that meet all of the following requirements:

o  50 or fewer new employees
o  Less than $1 million in projected gross revenue
o  Uses new processes
o  Uses technological innovations and commercialization of new products that can be produced in rural areas

• RURAL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY GRANT PROGRAM: May be used to assist in the economic development of rural areas by providing technical assistance for business development and economic development planning. Grants may be made to public bodies, nonprofit corporations, Indian tribes on federal or state reservations and other federally recognized tribal groups, and cooperatives with members that are primarily rural residents and that conduct activities for the mutual benefit of the members. Applicants must have sufficient financial strength and expertise in activities proposed in the application to ensure accomplishment of the described activities and objectives. Grant requests are limited to $50,000 per state and may be used to:

o  Identify and analyze business opportunities that will use local rural materials or human resources. This includes opportunities in export markets, as well as feasibility and business plan studies.
o  Identify, train and provide technical assistance to existing or prospective rural entrepreneurs and managers.
o  Establish business support centers and otherwise assist in the creation of new rural businesses.
o  Conduct local community or multi-county economic development planning.
o  Establish centers for training, technology and trade that will train rural businesses in the utilization of interactive communications technologies to develop international trade opportunities and markets.
o  Conduct leadership development training of existing or prospective rural entrepreneurs and managers.
o  Pay reasonable fees and charges for professional services necessary to conduct the technical assistance, training or planning functions.

MISSISSIPPI

MISSISSIPPI FILM INDUSTRY INCENTIVE: Passed in 2011 and effective immediately, it increases the rebate by 5 percent and expands the definitions of qualified distribution and production to include new technology. The legislation increases the current rebate to 25 percent for qualified local spend and non-resident cast and crew payroll and to 30 percent for Mississippi resident cast and crew payroll. The per project rebate cap remains at $8 million (an approximate $30 million local spend) and the annual cap remains at $20 million. The expanded program added streaming video and Internet delivery as qualified distribution. New technology areas, such as animation, 3D applications, video game cinematics, visual effects and motion capture within the fields of feature film, television, commercials and games, were added as qualified production.

ADVANTAGE JOBS INCENTIVE PROGRAM: Provides for a rebate of a percentage of Mississippi payroll to qualified employers for a period of up to 10 years. It is available to businesses that promise significant expansion of the economy through the creation of jobs. The jobs must meet or exceed the average annual wage of the state or the county in which the company locates, whichever is lower. Minimum job creation requirements are based on the level of development of the county.

BROADBAND TECHNOLOGY TAX CREDIT: Credits provided to entities to encourage the deployment of high-speed Internet access throughout the state, with an emphasis on rural areas. Qualifying equipment used in the deployment of broadband technologies includes asynchronous transfer mode switches, digital subscriber line access multiplexers, routers, servers, multiplexes, fiber optics and related equipment.

Annual credit amounts are calculated as a percentage of eligible expenditures, based on equipment location, and is available for 10 years. The credits can be claimed against income or franchise tax, but the total amount of credits taken over the 10 year period cannot exceed 100 percent of the cost of the equipment. The credit percentage amount allowed per year is based on the development ranking of the county.

GROWTH AND PROSPERITY PROGRAM (GAP): Designed to encourage development in economically challenged areas of the state. It designates specific counties as GAP counties and provides income, franchise, sales and property tax incentives to companies that locate or expand in these locations. The following businesses that create 10 or more jobs are eligible to participate under the GAP Program:

• Manufacturing, processing, assembling, storing, warehousing, servicing, distributing or selling of any products or goods, including products of agriculture;
• Enterprises for research and development, including, but not limited to, scientific laboratories; or
• Other businesses or industries that will further the public purposes of the GAP Act as determined on a case-by-case basis by MDA, and that create a minimum of ten (10) jobs.

INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION: Up to a 10 year exemption from property taxes is available to eligible industries that locate or expand in the state. The exemption may be granted for all local property taxes except school district taxes on any property, but may not be granted on finished goods or rolling stock. The exemption usually includes land, buildings, machinery, equipment, furniture, fixtures, raw materials and work in process.

The following businesses qualify for this exemption, at the discretion of the county and city government:

• Manufacturers, Processors, and/or Refineries
• Research and Development Facilities
• Warehouse and Distribution Facilities
• Air and Transportation Maintenance Facilities
• Telecommunications Companies
• Data and Information Processing Companies
• Recreational Facilities that Impact Tourism
• Movie Industry Studios
• Technology intensive facilities

JOBS TAX CREDIT: Can be applied to state income tax to reduce an employer’s income tax liability. They are calculated as a percentage of eligible payroll each year for five years, based on job location and wages subject to state income tax. The credits are taken in years two through six after the new jobs are created. The following businesses qualify for these credits: Manufacturers, Wholesalers, Processors, Research and Development, Facilities, Distributors and Warehouses.

In addition, the following businesses qualify upon receiving a designation by the Mississippi Development Authority: Air and Transportation Maintenance Facilities, Telecommunications Companies, Data and Information Processing Companies, Computer Software Development Enterprises, Recreational Facilities that impact Tourism, Resort hotels having a minimum of 150 rooms, Movie Industry Studios and Technology intensive facilities.

To be eligible for this credit, the employer must create and maintain an annual average employment of the minimum number of jobs required based on the development ranking of the county.

MANUFACTURING INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT: Existing manufacturers that have operated in Mississippi for two or more years may be eligible for investment tax credits that can be applied to the entity’s state income tax liability. To qualify, an existing manufacturer must invest $1,000,000 or more in buildings and/or equipment used in the manufacturing operation. The investment credit is calculated as 5 percent of the eligible investment for a project.

MOTION PICTURE PRODUCTION TAX INCENTIVE PROGRAM: A rebate program designed to encourage production of motion pictures in Mississippi. It is designed to return a portion of the qualified expenses incurred in the state back to the production company. To qualify, a project must be a nationally distributed feature length film, video, DVD, television series or commercial that is made (in whole or in part) in MS for theatrical or television viewing. The production of news or athletic events do not qualify, nor does any project that contains any material or performance deemed obscene, as defined in Section 97-29-103, Mississippi Code of 1972.

MISSISSIPPI AEROSPACE INITIATIVE INCENTIVES PROGRAM: Provides tax incentives to companies that manufacture or assemble components for the aerospace industry or provide research, development or training services for the sector and are looking to locate or expand in the state. These incentives include a 10-year exemption from income and franchise taxes, as well as a sales and use tax exemption for the start-up of the facility. In order to qualify, companies must invest a minimum of $30 million and create at least 100 full-time jobs.

MISSISSIPPI CLEAN ENERGY INITIATIVE PROGRAM: Allows the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) to certify companies that manufacture systems or components used to generate clean, renewable or alternative energy. This includes nuclear, solar, wind and hydro-generation.

The program provides qualifying companies with a 10-year exemption from state income and franchise taxes, as well as a sales tax exemption to establish a plant or expand an existing production facility. To qualify, businesses must commit to invest a minimum of $50 million and create 250 full-time jobs.

MISSISSIPPI DATA CENTER INCENTIVES: State sales tax exemption for all computing equipment and software used by companies certified as data centers by the MDA. Both new and replacement equipment qualify for the tax exemption. The certification requires a minimum investment of $50 million and the creation of at least 50 new jobs paying 150 percent of the average state wage.

NATIONAL OR REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS TAX CREDIT: Equal between $500 and $2,000 per position and can be applied to state income tax to reduce an eligible entity’s corporate income tax liability. These credits are awarded to induce companies to establish a headquarters in Mississippi that includes officers and other high-level employees. Transferring or establishing a national or regional headquarters must create a minimum of 35 qualified jobs within a one year period. These credits can be in addition to Jobs Tax Credits and the combination can be used to offset up to fifty percent of the entity’s state income tax liability. Any unused credits can be carried forward up to five years.

NATIONAL OR REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS SALES TAX CREDIT: A sales and use tax exemption is available for eligible businesses that create or transfer their National or Regional Headquarters to the state. This exemption applies to component building materials used in the construction or improvement as well as the machinery and equipment used in the facility. A minimum of 35 new headquarters jobs must be created at the location to qualify for this exemption, as determined by the Mississippi State Tax Commission.

PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR INDUSTRIAL REVENUE BOND FINANCING: An exemption from property taxes on land, building and equipment is available and is valid for up to 10 years on property purchased with industrial revenue bond proceeds from bonds issued by the Mississippi Business Finance Corporation (MBFC).

PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION ON IN-STATE INVENTORY: Local governing authorities may grant a 10-year exemption from property taxes on finished goods inventory that will remain in the state. The exemption may be granted for all local property taxes except school district taxes on any property.

PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR BROADBAND TECHNOLOGY: A property tax exemption is available for eligible telecommunications businesses on the purchase of equipment used in the deployment of broadband technology in the state.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SKILLS TAX CREDIT: Equal to $1,000 per employee per year for a five year period and can be used to reduce an eligible entity’s income tax liability. These credits are available for any position requiring R&D skills. There is no minimum number of positions that must be created to qualify for this credit and it is awarded in the amount of $1,000 per full-time employee per year for a five year period.
These credits can be in addition to Jobs Tax Credits and the combination can be used to offset up to fifty percent of the entity’s state income tax liability. Any unused credits can be carried forward up to five years.

SALES & USE TAX EXEMPTION FOR INDUSTRIAL REVENUE BOND FINANCING: To encourage construction and expansion within the state, the Mississippi Business Finance Corporation may issue IRBs for financing approved projects. Once projects are induced in the bond program, a sales tax exemption is available for all purchase made with bond proceeds.

SALES & USE TAX EXEMPTION FOR CONSTRUCTION OR EXPANSION: Available for eligible businesses that construct a new facility or expand an existing facility in the state. Eligible businesses include

Manufacturers and Custom Processors. In addition, the following businesses qualify upon receiving a designation by the MDA: Data and Information Processing Companies and Technology intensive facilities.

The amount of exemption that is allowed depends on the location of the facility. To qualify for this exemption, application must be made to the State Tax Commission prior to beginning the project.

SKILLS TRAINING INCOME TAX CREDIT: Can be applied to state income tax to reduce an employer’s income tax liability. These credits are earned by certain types of businesses that offer training to their employees in Mississippi. For expenses to qualify for the Skills Training Credit, the training program must be offered by, or be approved by, the community or junior college in the district where the business is located as well as the State Tax Commission.

DEVELOPMENT INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT PROGRAM (DIP): Available to fund publicly owned infrastructure and can be used by municipalities and counties to assist with the location or expansion of businesses. Usage of the funds must be directly related to the construction, renovation, or expansion of industry.

JOB PROTECTION GRANT PROGRAM: Available to fund “at risk” industries that have been operating in the state for at least three years and that have lost jobs or are at risk to lose jobs because such jobs have been outsourced. “Outsourced” means Mississippi jobs are being lost and relocated to industries in foreign countries. The funding can be used by “at risk” industries that retain jobs in MS and improve productivity.

ENERGY INVESTMENT LOAN PROGRAM: Provides loans to businesses that are increasing energy efficiency in their buildings, equipment and processes. Eligible industries include manufacturers, warehouses and distribution centers, research and development facilities, retail, telecommunications and data processing facilities and national or regional headquarters.

MINORITY BUSINESS MICRO LOAN PROGRAM: Provides loans to socially and economically disadvantaged minority and women owned businesses as designated by the Minority and Small Business Development Division of the MDA. Eligible uses of loan proceeds include inventory purchase, working capital, machinery and equipment.

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT LOAN PROGRAM: Available to provide loans to qualified companies designated by the MDA. R&D companies must be meet minimum criteria before they apply, including that at least 10 percent of the workers at the facility must be scientists, engineers or computer specialists and the average wage of all workers at the facility must be at least 150 percent of the state average annual wage. A basic health care plan must be provided to all employees.

MISSOURI

LOAN GUARANTEE FEE TAX CREDIT PROGRAM: Provides state tax credits to an eligible small business—defined in Section 44 of the IRS code, must (in the prior tax year) have gross receipts of less than $1 million; or if more than $1 million, less than 30 full time employees—for the amount of a guarantee fee paid to either the U.S. Small Business Administration or the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a small business loan. There is no limit on the amount per business or total amount distributed annually.

ENHANCED ENTERPRISE ZONE: Provides state tax credits to new or expanding businesses in a Missouri Enhanced Enterprise Zone. Can be applied to Ch. 143 Income tax, excluding withholding tax and can only be applied to tax liability for the year in which they were earned. Tax credits will be based on the state economic benefit, supported by the number of new jobs, wages and new capital investment that the project will create. Tax credits issued under this program are limited to $24,000,000 annually.

2010 AUTOMOTOVE MANUFACTURING JOBS ACT: Allows qualified manufacturing facilities or suppliers that bring next-generation production lines to Missouri to retain withholding taxes typically remitted to the state.

ACTION FUND LOAN: Provides a loan to certain types of for-profit companies that need funds for start-up or expansion and have exhausted other sources. Projects can only be in a “non-entitlement” area—a city under 50,000 in population or a county under 200,000 in population.

BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAM: Provides financial incentives for the redevelopment of commercial/industrial sites that are contaminated with hazardous substances and have been abandoned or underutilized for at least three years.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT: Offers grants to small MO communities to improve local facilities, address critical health and safety concerns and develop a greater capacity for growth. Projects can range from housing and street repairs to industrial loans and job training.

NEW JOBS TRAINING PROGRAM: Provides assistance in reducing the cost associated with expanding a workforce or locating a new facility in the state of Missouri through training services—training customized to the specific needs of the industry and general occupational skill training. Businesses with a sound credit rating currently located in or locating to MO that are creating a substantial number of new jobs in Missouri by locating a new facility or expanding an existing workforce in the state.

JOB RETENTION TRAINING PROGRAM: Provides assistance in reducing the cost associated with retraining an existing workforce for the purpose of retaining jobs in the state of Missouri through training services—training designed for the specific needs of the industry and general occupational skill training. Businesses with a sound credit rating currently located in Missouri that have retained at that site the level of employment for at least one year, and a minimum of 100 employees for two consecutive calendar years preceding the year in which the application for the program was made. In addition, the business must make a capital investment of at least one million dollars to acquire long-term assets.

MISSOURI QUALITY JOBS PROGRAM: Facilitates the creation of quality jobs by targeted business projects. For-profit and non-profit businesses (except for gambling, retail trade, food and drinking places, public utilities, educational services, religious organizations, ethanol distillation or production facilities, biodiesel production facilities, and public administration companies or businesses that are delinquent in non-protested taxes or other payments or any company that has filed for or has publicly announced its intention to file for bankruptcy). Headquarters or administrative offices of otherwise excluded businesses that serve a multi-state area may qualify in some cases. The average wage of the new jobs must equal or exceed the county average wage (as published by DED), and the company must offer health insurance and pay at least 50 percent of the premium for all full time employees in MO. The business must create a minimum number of new jobs at the project facility prior to the “deadline” date, based on the type of project. There is no annual cap on the retained withholding taxes. Tax credits issued for the entire program shall not exceed $80 million per calendar year.

URBAN ENTERPRISE LOAN: The Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) contracts for the administration of a micro-lending program to assist Missouri’s small business owners with the creation, expansion and retention of their business enterprise, located in the St. Louis and Kansas City urban areas. The loan amount cannot exceed 50 percent of the borrower’s total financial need. Loans range from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $100,000 per business. Funds may be used to:

• Start a new business
• Purchase business equipment, inventory, working capital, acquisition of business assets or other expansion purposes of an existing small business
• Provide an equity match for leveraging a commercial loan
• Secure lines of credit or gap financing from a conventional commercial lender

GROW MISSOURI LOAN: Facilitates the funding of an expansion project that would be unlikely to occur without the Grow Missouri Loan in order to create or retain full-time jobs for targeted businesses. Principal and interest payments may be deferred for up to three years—four years for minority business enterprises (MBE) and woman business enterprises (WBE)—to aid in obtaining approval for the other project financing. After the initial deferral period, payments may be interest-only for up to three additional years. The maximum term of the loan is eight years. The collateral may be subordinated to the primary lender. An approved applicant will have 120 days after DED’s approval of the loan application to secure commitments of the other financing for the expansion project; therefore, there is no need to have the entire project financing secured when applying. Interest rates are two percent fixed rate per annum (MBE/WBE is 0 percent rate).

Generally, for-profit “primary” companies (that mostly sell/compete outside the local market area) are eligible. Applicants must demonstrate a reasonable ability to create at least one new or retained job for every $75,000 of Grow Missouri Loan funding within five years of approval. Such new or retained jobs must have average wages that are at least 80 percent of the county average wage, or 70 percent within Enhanced Enterprise Zones or MBE/WBEs. The applicant must offer to pay at least 50 percent health insurance for all Missouri employees.

The Grow Missouri Loan cannot exceed:

a)     10 percent of the total “leveraging sources of funds” (private loans and equity);
b)    $3 million per qualified company; or
c)     $75,000 per new and/or retained job, whichever of these would result in the lowest amount.

Applications for the available funding of $10 million will be received at any time until the funding is exhausted.

SMALL BUSINESS INCUBATOR TAX CREDIT: Generates private funds to be used to establish a “protective business environment” (incubator) in which a number of small businesses can collectively operate, fostering growth and development during a business’ start-up period. The overall maximum amount of tax credits that can be authorized under this program in any one calendar year is $500,000. This 50 percent tax credit can be applied to:

• Ch. 143 – Income tax, excluding withholding tax
• Ch. 147 – Corporate franchise tax
• Ch. 148 – Bank Tax, Insurance Premium Tax, Other Financial Institution Tax

NEW MARKETS TAX CREDIT PROGRAM (NMTC): Provides state and federal tax credits to investors that make investments into approved funds, which will make investments in eligible projects located in low income census tracks in Missouri. This program does not provide tax credits directly to businesses. Eligible businesses interested in obtaining funding should contact the approved “Community Development Entities.”

BUILD: Provides a financial incentive for the location or expansion of large business projects. The incentives are designed to reduce necessary infrastructure and equipment expenses if a project can demonstrate a need for funding. An eligible industry in manufacturing, processing, assembly, R&D, agricultural processing or services in interstate commerce must invest a minimum of $15 million; or $10 million for an office industry (regional, national or international headquarters, telecommunications operations, computer operations, insurance companies or credit card billing and processing centers) in an economic development project; and create a minimum of 100 new jobs for eligible employees at the project or a minimum of 500 jobs if the project is an office industry or a minimum of 200 new jobs if the project is an office industry located within a distressed community as defined in Section 135.530, RSMo. Retail, health or professional services, intra-state relocations or replacement facilities are ineligible.

The minimum bond issue is $500,000. The bonds may be used to finance public or private infrastructure to support the project, or the new capital improvements of the business at the project location. Bond proceeds may not be used for working capital, inventory or other operating costs of the business or another entity. This tax credit can be applied to:

• Ch. 143 – Income tax, excluding withholding tax
• Ch. 148 – Bank Tax, Insurance Premium Tax, Other Financial Institution Tax

FILM PRODUCTION TAX CREDIT: State Tax Credits are issued to a qualified film production company for up to 35 percent of the amount expended in Missouri for production or production-related activities to facilitate film production in Missouri. Any film production company with an expected instate expenditure budget of at least $100,000 for films over 30 minutes in length and at least $50,000 for films under 30 minutes in length are eligible. The entire film production tax credit program is capped at $4.5 million.

INDUSTRIAL INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT: Assists local governments in the development of public infrastructure that allows industries to locate new facilities, expand existing facilities, prevent the closing of a facility or the relocation of a facility outside the state. Projects can only be in a “non-entitlement” area—a city under 50,000 in population or a county under 200,000 in population. More than one business must potentially benefit from the facilities to be funded. For-profit manufacturing, processing and assembly companies that will have wages above the county average and provide medical benefits are prioritized. Grant funds may be used for public streets, water or sewer lines, engineering and other public facilities necessary to support the project. A public entity must own the facilities to be funded.

MONTANA

BIG SKY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TRUST FUND (BSTF) RELOCATION GRANT: A state-funded program that awards up to $5,000 to an eligible project for each new eligible job to be created. Funds may be used for relocation costs from outside of the state to Montana. Eligible jobs must be new positions that average 35 hours/week on an annual basis and pay at or above average county wages, not including benefits. Statutory requirements for these funds include net new, full-time job creation and a $1 for $1 match requirement.

WORKFORCE TRAINING GRANT PROGRAMS

• STATE WORKFORCE TRAINING PROGRAM: Up to $5,000 per employee is available and the match requirement is one dollar of private funds for every three dollars of state workforce grant funds. The maximum award amount depends on the number of jobs to be trained and availability of funding. Minimum compensation for an eligible employee varies by county. Businesses can apply directly to the Department of Commerce when funding is available.

• DEPARTMENT OF LABOR’S INCUMBENT WORKFORCE TRAINING GRANT PROGRAM: Available to businesses with no more than 50 employees in the State and no more than 20 at any one location. Training is available to employees that have passed the company’s probationary period with up to $2000 available for full-time employees and $1000 for part-time employees. Typical match rates are 4:1. Training grant dollars may be used for approved training, travel or instructional materials. See www.nwmontanabusiness.com/index.php/business-services/training/.

• BIG SKY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TRUST WORKER TRAINING GRANT: A state-funded program designed to aid in the development of good paying jobs for Montana residents and promote long-term stable economic growth in the state.

LOAN PROGRAMS

• BIG SKY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOANS: A state-funded program with up to $5,000 awarded to an eligible project for each new eligible job to be created. Funds may be used as a loan or grant for the purchase of machinery, equipment and/or working capital. Eligible jobs must be new positions that average 35 hours/week on an annual basis and pay at or above average county wages, not including benefits. Flathead County’s average wage for 2009 was $15.45. Statutory requirements for these funds include net new, full-time job creation and a $1 for $1 match requirement.

• A number of business development loan programs to stimulate economic development activity by assisting the private sector to create or retain jobs are available. Montana West Economic Development has several loan programs to offer to new and expanding businesses in the form of gap financing in partnership with local lending institutions. These loans are available to small businesses in Lake, Lincoln, Sanders and Flathead counties in northwest Montana. The loan dollars are eligible to be used for a variety property and equipment investment, infrastructure and technical assistance. The interest rate and requirements for these loans vary by project with a fixed interest rate in the 3 to 7 percent range. Loan sources include:

o      COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM: Includes funding of grants to local units of government for economic development, downtown development, blight elimination and planning.

o      INTERMEDIARY RELENDING PROGRAM (IRP): Provides 1 percent loans to nonprofit development organizations for establishment of revolving loan programs for loans to small businesses. Applications from each state are selected for funding through a nationwide competition. Assistance is limited to areas with a population of less than 25,000. To be eligible, the nonprofit development corporations (intermediaries) and their loan applicants must be unable to obtain financing elsewhere at reasonable rates and terms. Additional loans can be requested until the maximum loan amount to intermediaries is determined each fiscal year. The maximum loan amount in years past was $750,000. Intermediaries can use the funds to make loans of up to $150,000 to private or public organizations and other local businesses.

o      MONTANA WEST ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REVOLVING LOAN FUND

• ALTERNATIVE ENERGY REVOLVING LOAN PROGRAM (AERLP): Provides a financing option to install alternative energy systems. The program has traditionally been funded by air quality penalties collected by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Energy from these renewable systems is intended for use by the owner, although net-metering is allowed for systems that generate electricity. Energy conservation measures installed in conjunction with an alternative energy project may be funded through the program, limited to 20 percent of the loan amount.

MONTANA BOARD OF INVESTMENTS FINANCE & LOAN PROGRAMS

The Montana Board of Investments is attached to the Department of Commerce. The Board does not lend directly to businesses. The business finance programs discussed below are accessed through banks and approved lending institutions. Businesses should first contact and work through their local bank(s). MBOI programs typically enable businesses to access lower, fixed rate financing for viable bank-approved projects. The business infrastructure program is included here because it provides a substantial potential benefit to eligible businesses and local governments for projects requiring large investments in infrastructure.

• INFRASTRUCTURE LOAN PROGRAM: Loans to local government for infrastructure improvement used by basic-sector businesses. The infrastructure improvements are essentially a grant to the business as a direct reduction of project development costs. The business must create at least 15 full-time jobs. The loan is sized at the number of jobs x $16,666 (minimum loan size $250, 000). The business pays local government use fee, which is assigned to the Board for loan repayment. Use fee can be totally credited against Montana income taxes paid by business. Total amount available for this program is $80.0 million

• VALUE-ADDED BUSINESS LOAN: Has a maximum 15-year loan term. 10-14 jobs created/retained qualifies for a loan rate at 4 percent for 5 years. 15 jobs created/retained qualifies for a loan rate at 2 percent for five years. The interest rate will be at the posted interest rate until the required jobs are created/retained and are set at the lowest rate for the first 5 years, 6 percent for the second 5 years the Board posted rate at the time of application for the remaining term. The jobs created/retained must be by a business adding value to material/products. The Board participates with lender in 75 percent of the funding, risk, collateral and other security. The minimum loan size is $250,000; maximum is approximately $7.5 million.

• BUSINESS LOAN PARTICIPATION PROGRAM: Offers fixed-rate financing up to 25 years with interest rates posted weekly. Job creation credits may reduce posted interest rate up to 2.5 percent.

• GUARANTEED LOAN PURCHASE PROGRAM: Offers fixed-rate financing up to 30 years with interest rates posted weekly. The Board purchases 100 percent of the guaranteed portion of the loan. Job creation credits may reduce posted interest rate up to 2.5 percent. No detailed credit review by Board.

Montana Dept. of Commerce TRADE SHOW ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TSAP): Assists companies in exploring new domestic and international wholesale markets. TSAP funds are available to Montana businesses attending any given trade show for the first time. See http://www.madeinmontanausa.com/tradeshowinfo.asp

Eligible applicants will be reimbursed for 50 percent of qualifying expenses that include:

• Booth/space rental or US Commercial Services Gold Key fee
• Booth equipment, furniture and carpeting rental
• Booth utility costs
• Promotional materials (product flyer specific to show, booth signage, etc.)
• Shipping, storage, drayage (cost of moving freight at exhibition site) and show labor

TAX CREDITS, ABATEMENTS AND EXEMPTIONS

• NEW OR EXPANDING INDUSTRY WAGE CREDIT: A new or expanding manufacturing corporation in Montana may receive a corporation license tax credit of 1 percent of wages paid to new employees for the first three years of operation and expenses.

• PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENTS: Property tax abatement is available to certain new or expanding businesses. The governing body of the affected county or the incorporated city or town must approve by resolution the abatement. The tax benefit received is a percentage multiplier applied to the increase in taxable value of the qualifying improvements or modernized processes. The tax benefit applies to the number of mills levied and assessed for high school district and elementary school district purposes and to the number of mills levied and assessed by the local governing body approving the benefit. New/expanding industries will be taxed at 50 percent of taxable value for the first five years after a construction permit is issued. The tax rate is raised incrementally over the next five years to 100 percent.

• ALTERNATIVE FUELS PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION: Provides an exemption from property assessment for qualifying non-fossil fuel energy generating systems installed. The maximum exemption amount per year is $100,000 for a commercial property. The value of the qualifying non-fossil fuel energy generating system must be included in the assessed value of the property prior to its exemption. The exemption lasts for a period not to exceed 10 years from the year of installation.

• ALTERNATIVE ENERGY INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT: Commercial and net metering alternative energy investments of $5,000 or more are eligible for up to 35 percent tax credit against individual or corporate tax on income generated by the investment. The credit may only be taken against net income produced by the eligible equipment or by certain associated business activities. Associated facilities, manufacturing plants producing alternative energy equipment and new or expanded businesses using the energy generated by the alternative energy investment may use the tax credit. The credit must be taken the year the equipment is placed in service; however, any portion of the tax credit that exceeds the amount of tax to be paid may be carried over and applied against state tax liability for the following 7 years. A project of 5 MWs or larger on a reservation may carry the credit over for 15 years, if it has an employment agreement with the tribal government.

• NEW MARKET TAX CREDITS: Can help communities attract capital to good projects on favorable terms. The program provides an incentive to debt and equity investors in the form of a 39 percent federal income tax credit for investing capital into qualified projects in eligible low-income areas. Eligible investment types include most real estate projects and operating businesses (with some exceptions). See www.mtcdc.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=111&Itemid=195

o Total project size of at least $3 million.

o Project in a designated low-income census tract with either a poverty rate of 20 percent or greater or Gross Median Income of 80 percent of less of the state average.

o Strong economic development and/or community impact, such as helping to create or retain jobs; acting as the catalyst for larger development, infusing sources of new investment capital into an under-served, low-income area; and creating new access to community services such as education, healthcare, child & elder care and retail services.

SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH PROGRAM (SBIR): Helps Montana companies compete for more than one billion dollars in federal grants that have been earmarked to fund R&D. The program offers free counseling assistance to any individual or small business that wants to explore SBIR grant opportunities.

To win a SBIR grant, a business owner must have an innovative idea and the savvy to compete and win in the competitive federal arena of the SBIR Program.

MONTANA SBIR/STTR MATCHING FUNDS PROGRAM (MSMFP): Fosters job creation and economic development in the state by providing matching funds to eligible businesses meeting the criteria set forth in the guidelines. It is designed to grant funds to Montana companies that have been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research Program or Small Business Technology Transfer Program (Federal SBIR/STTR Program) Phase I award and that, if the opportunity to do so is available, intend to apply for a Federal SBIR/STTR Phase II award. See http://businessresources.mt.gov/MSMFP/default.mcpx. The Federal SBIR/STTR Program provides for funding competitions in two phases that are relevant to the Montana Program:

• Phase I – to conduct feasibility research
• Phase II – to expand and develop Phase I results and develop commercially viable innovations

NEBRASKA

The four-part TALENT & INNOVATION INITIATIVE (TI2) was developed to enhance momentum in Nebraska’s fastest growing industries and others positioned to integrate new technologies:

• Nebraska Internship Program is a partnership with Nebraska businesses to create new, paid internship opportunities for college and university students. The program will create opportunities for 500 to 750 juniors and seniors studying at four-year institutions or students in their second year at a Nebraska community college to gain job experience. Awards will be made on a first-come, first-serve basis to companies creating new internship opportunities, which are capped at 10 per business. Internships will pay at least minimum wage and range from 12 week to year-long programs. Grant amounts are lesser of 40 percent of reimbursable costs or up to $3,500 in non-distressed areas, and lesser of 60 percent of reimbursable costs or up to $5,000 in distressed areas. Nebraska Internship took effect on June 1.
• Business Innovation Act is intended to help businesses develop new technologies to enhance quality job opportunities in the state. It will provide competitive grants for research at Nebraska institutions, new product development and testing, and help expand small business and entrepreneur outreach efforts. It will expand grant opportunities within targeted industries to help businesses providing matching funds with prototype development, commercialization and applied research in the state, and provide assistance for microenterprise projects. The Business Innovation Act takes effect Oct. 1.
• Site & Building Development Fund is intended to help increase industrial and commercial sites available and ready for business development. Communities will provide matching funds toward projects that can involve demolition, new construction and rehabilitation. State funding will be focused on land and infrastructure costs with 40 percent of funding available to non-metro areas.
• Angel Investment Tax Credit encourages investment in high-tech and other startup enterprises in Nebraska by providing refundable state income tax credits to qualified investors investing in qualified early-stage companies. Capped at $3 million annually, the program requires a minimum investment of $25,000 for individuals and $50,000 for investment funds. Eligible small businesses must have fewer than 25 employees, with the majority based in the state.

The NEBRASKA PROGRESS LOAN FUND (NPLF) will be available for permanent loans to qualifying small businesses, generally, representing existing and startup businesses. The minimum loan to any one business will be $50,000, with a maximum of $2 million. NPLF can also be provided for interim loans to qualifying small businesses for a term not to exceed three years. An interim loan maximum amount is $5 million. Loan terms will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis with a typical loan interest rate ranging from 0 percent to 4 percent. More favorable terms for the business will be a consideration for businesses located in census tracts or counties considered severely distressed. Principal and interest payments may be deferred for three years, with periodic interest payments due until loan maturity.

The NEBRASKA PROGRESS SEED FUND (NPSF) is designed to accelerate private investment in Nebraska-based start-up companies and increase overall investment impact. Through NPSF, Invest Nebraska Corporation will award seed capital funds that match private angel fund investments. The seed capital may be used by the start-up company for advanced intellectual property development and evaluation, including in-depth analysis of market potential, conducting competitive analysis, advanced proof of concept work for scientific discovery, advanced prototype design and development, research and development needed to attract venture capital financing, hiring key personnel, and related activities.

The NEBRASKA ADVANTAGE ACT contains five tiers of benefits:

•  Tier 1: Nebraska Small Business Advantage—Businesses that invest $1 million and create 10 new jobs are eligible for a refund of half of the sales tax paid for qualified property purchases at the project, the full sliding scale wage credit of 3 percent to 6 percent depending on wage level, and a 3 percent investment tax credit. This tier is available to manufacturers, research and development or testing businesses, and listed technology related services where at least 75 percent of the sales and licensing are to out-of-state customers or to the federal government.

• Tier 2: Businesses that invest $3 million and create 30 new jobs qualify for sales tax refunds for capital purchases at the project, the sliding scale wage credit, and a 10 percent investment credit.

• Tier 3: Jobs-only tier—Businesses that create 30 new jobs can receive the sliding scale wage credit. No capital investment is required to qualify.

• Tier 4: Businesses that invest $10 million and create 100 new jobs receive a personal property tax exemption for turbine-powered aircraft, mainframe computers, agricultural product processing machinery, and personal property used in a distribution facility for up to 10 years. This is in addition to qualifying for the sales tax refund, jobs credit, and the investment credit.

• Tier 5: Investment-only tier. This requires $30 million in new investment. Companies receive a refund of sales taxes paid on eligible property with the project.

NEBRASKA SUPER ADVANTAGE: Specifically rewards all non-retail companies that create higher-paying jobs. To qualify, the new jobs must pay at least 150 percent of the state average wage, or 200 percent of the county average, whichever is greater. Companies that create 75 new jobs and make a $10-million capital investment—or 50 new jobs and a $100-million investment—can receive a sales and use tax refund on capital purchases; a 10 percent wage credit on new employee compensation; a 15 percent investment tax credit; and a 10-year exemption on all personal property.

The INVEST NEBRASKA ACT allows companies to qualify for wage benefit credits. These credits may be used against withholding tax liability, for funding employee programs and for offsetting a company’s income taxes. A company has up to seven years to earn these credits. Upon attainment, the company has up to 10 years to earn and use the credits. After that period, unused credits can be carried over and used for an additional eight years.

The CUSTOMIZED JOB TRAINING PROGRAM provides training assistance on projects that offer an opportunity for economic development in Nebraska. Use of the funds is limited to eligible companies and eligible training projects.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM: Provides Nebraskans with safe, affordable and accessible housing and infrastructure; quality jobs and investment through financing new and expanding businesses. Created under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, the CDBG program merged seven categorical programs into a pool of community development funds yearly distributed according to a formula weighing population and measures of distress (poverty, age of housing, housing overcrowding and growth lag). Grantees now determine the activities to be funded so long as activities are eligible and meet one of three broad national program objectives.

NEBRASKA MICROENTERPRISE PARTNERSHIP FUND: Helps assure that micro businesses realize the full potential to create jobs, enhance entrepreneurial skills and activities and increase low-income households’ capacity to become self-sufficient; and to facilitate the development of a permanent, statewide infrastructure of microlending support organizations.

RURAL ENTERPRISE ASSISTANCE PROJECT (LEAP) LOAN PROGRAMS: Focus on providing capital for rural Nebraska based startup and existing businesses. Its loan products are coupled with business technical assistance and counseling to clients to help them prosper in their business.

TAX INCREMENT FINANCING (TIF): Primarily designed to finance the public costs associated with a private development project. Essentially, the property tax increases resulting from a development are targeted to repay the public investment required by a project.

NEVADA

CATALIST FUND: Nevada recently authorized the use of $10 million in general fund money to spur economic development through corporate expansions and relocations in Nevada. Working in connection with local governments, companies can apply to the state with an eligible economic development project for an allocation from the fund. Since this is a new program, the rules and regulations are currently in development and are expected be in place by January 1, 2012.

A SALES AND USE TAX ABATEMENT on eligible machinery and equipment is available to businesses with operations consistent with Nevada’s state plan for economic diversification and development. Qualifying criteria include a commitment to doing business in Nevada, minimum job creation, capital investment, employee heath plans, and wage requirements.

SALES TAX DEFERRAL: The state of Nevada offers a sales & use tax deferment program to qualified industries that purchase capital equipment in excess of $100,000. Taxes can be deferred interest free for up to five years.

An abatement of PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX is available to businesses with operations consistent with Nevada’s state plan for economic diversification and development. Qualifying criteria include a commitment to doing business in Nevada, minimum job creation, employee health plans, minimum capital investment, and wage requirements. Taxes may be abated for up to 50 percent for up to ten years.

RENEWABLE AND ENERGY STORAGE ABATEMENTS are available for companies involved in the production of energy from renewable sources such as wind, solar, and others, or a facility for the production of an energy storage device. The package of abatements includes sales/use tax and real and personal property tax.

MODIFIED BUSINESS (PAYROLL) TAX ABATEMENTS provide partial abatement from the payroll tax for new and expanding businesses. Statutory requirements, which must be met to qualify, include a minimum number of jobs created, a minimum capital investment, and wage and employee health plan requirements. Taxes may be abated by 50 percent for four years.

TRAIN EMPLOYEES NOW (TEN): Nevada offers a customized job training program to qualified businesses that meet established criteria. This program may be used prior to a plant opening and up to 90 days following.

Nevada is authorized to use tax-exempt INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BONDS (IDBs) to provide low-interest financing of new construction, improvements, rehabilitation, or redevelopment of qualified projects, which include manufacturing facilities and certain other projects organized under Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Service code.

PORTFOLIO ENERGY CREDITS (PEC): Allows renewable energy generators to sell PECS to the state’s utilities. One PEC is equal to one kWh of electricity generated, though photovoltaic projects generate 2.4 PECs for each kWh generated.

PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENTS FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY: Provides partial abatement of real and personal property taxes for businesses that produce electricity from renewable sources, including biomass, solar energy or wind.

PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT FOR RECYCLING: Partial abatement of real and personal property taxes for recycling is available to companies who locate or expand their business in Nevada and can be up to 50 percent of the tax due up to 10 years. Applicant must apply not more than one year before the business begins to develop for expansion or operation. Applications are due at least 30 working days prior to the Commission meeting. The business must either recycle at least 50 percent of the product onsite or primarily generate electricity from recycled material—industrial, domestic, agricultural or municipal waste as defined by NRS 701A.210(4). The primary purpose must be for the conservation of energy or the substitution of other sources of energy for fossil fuel. The company will provide a medical insurance plan for all employees (including an option for dependent health insurance coverage), pay at least 25 percent of the employee premium cost and maintain the business in Nevada for five years. Audits will be done by the Nevada Department of Taxation after two and five years to ensure compliance. Two of the following three criteria must be met for eligibility:

• Wage requirement. The company’s average hourly wage at the Nevada facility must equal or exceed 100 percent of the county average or statewide average hourly wage, whichever is less. For new businesses, compliance with this criteria is required.
• Jobs requirement. For counties/cities with a population of more than 100,000/60,000 a minimum of 75 full-time permanent jobs and populations of less than 100,000/60,000 a minimum of 15 full-time permanent jobs in Nevada is required by the fourth quarter of operation and continues to employ at least the minimum. For an expansion, the company must increase the number of employees on the payroll by 10 percent or six employees, whichever is greater.
• Capital Investment Requirement. For counties/cities with a population of more than 100,000/60,000, the business will make a capital investment of $50 million if the business is an industrial or manufacturing business or at least $5 million if the business is not an industrial or manufacturing business. For counties/cities with a population of less than 100,000/60,000, the business will make a capital investment of $5 million if the business is an industrial or manufacturing business or at least $500,000 if the business is not an industrial or manufacturing business. For new businesses, compliance with this criteria is required. In cases of expansion, the capital investment must equal at least 20 percent of the value of tangible property possessed by the business.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ABATEMENTS: Partial abatement of sales tax, modified business tax and personal property tax is available to intellectual property development companies who locate or expand their business in Nevada. Applicant must apply not more than one year before the business begins to develop for expansion or operation. Applications are due at least 30 working days prior to the Commission meeting. The business must further the development and refinement of intellectual property, a patent or copyright into a commercial product. The company will provide a medical insurance plan for all employees (including an option for dependents), pay at least 25 percent of the employee premium cost and maintain the business in Nevada for five years. Audits will be done by the Nevada Department of Taxation after two and five years to ensure compliance. Two of the following three criteria must be met for eligibility:

• The company’s average hourly wage at the Nevada facility must equal or exceed 100 percent of the county average or statewide average hourly wage, whichever is less. For new businesses, compliance with this criteria is required.
• A minimum of 10 full-time permanent jobs in Nevada is required by the fourth quarter of operations and continues to employ at least the minimum.
• The business will make a capital investment of $500,000.

RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION: Exempts qualifying renewable energy projects from 100 percent of the property tax on the value added by the energy system. Eligible technologies include: solar, wind, geothermal, solid waste and hydroelectric systems. The exemption applies for all years, once the project is installed.

SILVER STATE WORKS PROGRAM: An initiative introduced in July 2011 to encourage employers to train or hire now-unemployed job seekers in the community. The program uses the Nevada JobConnect network to search for available talent, connect businesses with employees, get qualified workers back into the work force and offer financial incentives to employers to hire. Employers have three options for receiving the incentive and the only requirements to participate are a valid business license and a verified paid-to-date unemployment insurance account. The employer can offer training or employment depending on the program that works best for the business.

• Employer-based training. In this option, businesses train workers who qualify for unemployment insurance benefits for 24 hours per week up to six weeks at no cost to the employer while the workers continue job hunting. The trainee will continue to receive unemployment benefits and a training allowance of $200 every two weeks, which can include assistance with transportation while they learn new skills or freshen current skills. After the training period, the trainee will receive a certificate of training that would be valuable to their job search or the business may hire them.
• Employer incentive job program. In this scenario, employers enter a contract that establishes a wage, a number of hours to master tasks, and a maximum amount of reimbursement based on the wage paid. Employers will be reimbursed up to 50 percent of the participant’s initial agreed-upon gross wage for up to 40 hours per week. For this program, you will hire and train the new employees and add them to your payroll. Silver State Works will reimburse you with an incentive check at the end of the training.
• Incentive-based employment. This supports employers who hire and retain eligible individuals in full-time employment (30 hours or more per week) by providing a hiring and retention incentive based on the time the qualified individual remains employed. Upon completion and satisfying certain requirements, the employer may receive a wage retention supplement for retaining the employee on average up to $2,000.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION ZONE TAX CREDITS (erz): Short term, tax credits against the business profits and enterprise taxes. To qualify, the location must meet certain demographic criteria, or be located in an unused or under utilized industrial park, or vacant land, or structures previously used for industrial, commercial, or retail purposes but currently not so used, or Brownfield site. The maximum credit over five years is $200,000, capped at $40,000 per year.

R&D TAX CREDIT: Small and large businesses can apply for tax credit on new research and development costs. The state has set aside $1million a year to fund the credit which is capped at $50,000 for any business that qualifies. This credit may be carried forward for up to five years.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG): This assistance can be in the form of a grant to the municipality for the public infrastructure improvements on behalf of an expanding business or a loan to the business itself. The maximum amount of funding available for any given project is $500,000, regardless of size of the community applying for the grant. All grants have a one-year duration, and one job must be created for each $20,000 in CDBG funds granted. The key to this federal program is that a minimum of 60 percent of the jobs created must be filled by low and moderate-income persons.

The JOB TRAINING GRANT PROGRAM is a 50/50 cash match for customized training. There is a $100,000 cap on the training amount. Each application is reviewed on a case by case basis with an emphasis on improving the skills of current or new employees.

The COOS County Job Creation Tax Credit is a tax credit to businesses hiring new employees in COOS County and paying wages equal to or above 200 percent of minimum wage ($7.25 per hour). The credit is $1,000 for any new, full-time, year-round jobs applied to the Business Enterprise Tax, but any unused portion of the credit can be applied to the Business Profits Tax. All new jobs created after the bill’s effective dates are eligible for the credit and there is no cap on the amount of jobs created. The carry forward is five years.

INDUSTRIAL REVENUE BONDS: This program is for manufacturers only – companies which manufacture or produce tangible personal property. At least 75 percent of bond proceeds must be spent on core manufacturing space and equipment. Storage, office and R&D space must be excluded from this calculation. To be cost effective, loans must range between 1.5 and 20 million dollars. The interest rate is about 70 percent of prime and can be used for the purchase of land, buildings, and capital equipment.

NH-CDFA TAX CREDITS: The New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) awards up to $5 million a year in New Hampshire Tax Credits to nonprofit organizations. These organizations then sell the Tax Credits to New Hampshire businesses as a way to raise needed capital for community projects around the state. In exchange for the contribution, a company can take 75 percent of the donation as a tax credit on their BET, BPT, or Insurance Premium Tax.

The NEW HAMPSHIRE PROCUREMENT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (NH-PTAP): A cooperative program of the State of New Hampshire Business Resource Center and the US Department of Defense, Defense Logistics Agency. It provides specialized and professional assistance to businesses seeking assistance with contracting and subcontracting opportunities with the Department of Defense (DOD), other federal agencies or state and local governments.

ENTERPRISE ENERGY FUND: A low-interest loan and grant program available to businesses and nonprofit organizations to help finance energy improvements and renewable energy projects. The goal is to reduce energy costs and consumption, and promote economic recovery. A small portion of the Fund will be used for grants to conduct energy audits, to provide down payments to businesses and to nonprofits that provide essential services and have been hardest hit by the recession, to leverage significant private sector funds and to encourage investments in renewable energy. A larger percentage of the funds will be loaned to businesses to reduce their energy costs and consumption. The loans will range from $10,000 to $500,000.

NEW JERSEY

NEW JERSEY PARTNERSHIP FOR ACTION: A three-pronged public-private approach to economic development and the starting point for all initiatives, policies and efforts to grow New Jersey’s economy and create quality, sustainable jobs in our communities. The three elements of the Partnership include Choose New Jersey, an independently funded and operated 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation created to encourage and nurture economic growth throughout New Jersey; the Business Action Center, which reports directly to the Lieutenant Governor and provides the business community with a single point of contact, applying a proactive, customer-service approach to businesses’ interactions with State government; and, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA), serving as the state’s “bank for business.”

The ECONOMIC REDEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH (ERG) PROGRAM is a reimbursement incentive that enables developers to use up to 75 percent of new State and/or local incremental taxes generated from a project to fund financing gaps. The program provides up to 20 percent of the total project cost, paid out over a period of up to 20 years. Redevelopment projects in qualifying areas that have secured a municipal ordinance and demonstrated sufficient net benefits may be eligible for assistance.

URBAN TRANSIT HUB TAX CREDIT PROGRAM: A financial tool designed to spur private capital investment, business development and employment by providing tax credits for businesses planning a large expansion or relocating to one of New Jersey’s designated Urban Transit Hubs. The program offers developers, owners or tenants up to 100 percent of a qualified capital investment made within an eight period. Taxpayers may apply 10 percent of the total credit amount per year over a ten-year period against their corporate business tax, insurance premiums tax or gross income tax liability. Developers or owners must make a minimum $50 million capital investment in a single business facility, and at least 250 full-time employees must work at that facility. Tenants in a qualified business facility can represent at least $17.5 million of the capital investment in the facility, and up to three tenants may aggregate to meet the 250 employee requirement.

The BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT INCENTIVE PROGRAM (BEIP) is a powerful incentive that encourages businesses to locate and expand in New Jersey. Approved businesses receive annual cash grants based on the number of new jobs created in the State. In order to qualify, businesses must create at least 25 new jobs within a 2-year period; emerging high technology and biotech companies’ eligibility threshold is 10 new jobs. A business must also demonstrate that the BEIP grant is a “material” factor in moving the job expansion or relocation forward in New Jersey, and that it is economically viable. The standard BEIP incentive is limited at 50 percent of the employees’ state income taxes withheld on the newly created jobs; however, companies that meet certain Smart Growth objectives can have their grant boosted to 80 percent. Qualifying businesses may be eligible for up to 10 years worth of grants, though they must maintain the project and the jobs in New Jersey for at least 1.5 times the number of years the grant is in effect.

The BUSINESS RETENTION & RELOCATION ASSISTANCE GRANT (BRRAG) is a recently enhanced program designed to help companies preserve jobs, expand operations and reinvest in New Jersey. The program provides corporate business tax credits to companies that are relocating operations within New Jersey and retaining at least 50 full-time jobs. Up to $2,250 per year for up to six years is now available per each job retained in the State. The award amount is dependent on the application of “bonus credits,” which may be available for the relocation of jobs to urban centers, and/or for a capital investment at least twice that of the value of the awarded credits. The number of times the yearly tax credit amount is awarded is dependent on the number of retained jobs. Companies must commit to remaining in the State for the tax credit term and an additional five years. For leased project locations, the business must sign a written lease for a period of no less than the commitment duration or eight years, whichever is greater. The total amount of credits that can be applied against a single company’s tax liability in a fiscal year may not exceed $10 million.

SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTION PROGRAM (STX), a program often used in conjunction with BRRAG that offers companies a sales tax exemption certificate which applies only to property purchased for installation at the approved project site. This certificate allows the business to purchase machinery, equipment, furniture, fixtures, and building materials for the project without the imposition of the state’s 7 percent sales tax. Eligible companies must have 1,000 or more employees in New Jersey and relocate 500 or more to a new business location. Life sciences or manufacturing companies may be eligible if they relocate 250 or more employees to a new facility. Companies must maintain the retained full-time jobs in New Jersey for five years.

BOND FINANCING: A creditworthy manufacturing company, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization or an exempt facility in New Jersey can apply for long-term financing under the Bond Financing Program. $500,000 to $10 million in tax-exempt bonds for for-profit companies, with either a fixed or variable interest rate, and terms up to 20 years for real estate and 10 years for equipment. Or, $500,000 with no dollar limit in tax-exempt bonds for qualified not-for-profit organizations.

Tax-exempt bonds for eligible for-profit companies can be used to finance capital improvements and expansions, including real estate acquisitions, new equipment, machinery, building construction, and renovations. Tax-exempt bonds for not-for-profit organizations seeking capital to expand community services can be used to finance land and building acquisitions, new construction and renovations, equipment purchases, debt refinancing and working capital. Government tax-exempt bonds can be used for projects that are owned and operated for the benefit of local, county and state government bodies.

SMALL BUSINESS FUND: An expedited approval process provides financial assistance to qualified businesses through direct loans or guarantees, with the choice of a variable or fixed interest rate. A small, minority-owned or women-owned business in NJ in operation for at least one full year or not-for-profit corporation in operation for at least three full years may qualify for up to $300,000 for credit scores greater than or equal to 700; up to $125,000 for credit scores greater than or equal to 650; and up to $300,000 for Not-for-Profits with 1.1X historical debt service coverage. It may be used for fixed assets and working capital.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY REVOLVING LOAN FUND (EE RLF): New Jersey-based commercial, institutional or industrial entities (including 501(c)(3) organizations) that have received an approved Energy Reduction Plan under the NJ Board of Public Utilities’ Pay for Performance program may be eligible for supplemental financing through the EE RLF. Also eligible are those entities participating in the NJ Board of Public Utilities’ Large Energy Users Pilot Program. Financing, in the form of low-interest loans, can be used to support up to 80 percent of total eligible project costs, not to exceed $2.5 million or 100 percent of total eligible project costs from all public State funding sources. Funds can be used for whole-building energy improvements.

NEW JERSEY BUSINESS GROWTH FUND: A joint program of the EDA and PNC Bank. Small or mid-sized companies that are creating or retaining jobs in NJ can apply for financing of up to a $3 million bank loan with a 25 percent or 50 percent EDA guarantee. The maximum EDA guarantee is $1.5 million. It can be used for the funding of real estate or equipment. Companies must commit to create one full-time job in NJ for every $50,000 of guarantee provided by the EDA with the exception of manufacturers, which must commit to maintain one existing full-time job in New Jersey per $50,000.

EDISON INNOVATION CLEAN ENERGY MANUFACTURING FUND (CEMF): Provides support for manufacturers that need to identify a manufacturing site, perform site improvements, construct a facility and/or purchase equipment. Organizations awarded a grant under CEMF are automatically certified as a NJ manufacturer through New Jersey’s Renewable Energy Manufacturing Incentive (REMI) program. REMI provides rebates to New Jersey residents, businesses, local governments and not-for-profit organizations that purchase and install solar panels, inverters and racking systems manufactured in NJ.

A qualified manufacturer of Class I renewable energy or energy efficiency systems, products or technologies may be eligible for up to $3.3 million in grants and loans for project assessment and design, and project construction and operation associated with a new manufacturing line or the material expansion of an existing line of a New Jersey manufacturing facility.

EDISON INNOVATION ANGEL GROWTH FUND: Leverages private angel investors in support of early-stage, emerging technology businesses in a less dilutive manner than equity. An angel supported NJ-based technology company with minimum trailing 12 month commercial revenues of $500,000 derived from core business activities, such as the sale of technology products can apply for growth capital of up to $250,000 to be used for key hires, product rollout, product enhancement and marketing/sales.

MAIN STREET BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Provides financial support to commercial banks in New Jersey to provide financial assistance to small and mid-sized businesses and not-for-profit organizations with projects in NJ. It can provide direct loans, bank term loan participations and/or guarantees and line of credit guarantees for small or mid-sized business or not-for-profit organizations in operation in NJ for at least two years. Can be used for fixed assets, refinancing of debt or working capital.

NEW MEXICO

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TAX CREDIT: In 2011, the New Mexico Legislature passed House Bill 273, reinstating the bill that would have sunset. This bill extends the eligibility period for the Research and Development Small Business Tax Credit from 2011 until 2015 and limits the credit.

The ALTERNATIVE ENERGY PRODUCT MANUFACTURES TAX CREDIT: In 2011, the legislature passed Senate Bill 233, which amends the alternative energy product manufacturers tax credit act to include a product extracted from or secreted by a single cell photosynthetic organism as an eligible alternative energy product.

LOCOMOTIVE FUEL TAX DEDUCTION: In 2011, the legislature passed House Bill 523, which provides a deduction for locomotive fuel from gross receipts and from compensating tax.

HIGH WAGE JOBS TAX CREDIT:  A taxpayer who is an eligible employer may apply for and receive a tax credit for each new high wage economic-base job. The credit amount equals 10 percent of the wages and benefits paid for each new economic-base job created. Qualified employers can take the credit for 4 years. The credit can be applied to the state portion of the gross receipts tax, compensating tax and withholding tax. Any excess credit will be refunded to the taxpayer. The credit shall not exceed $12,000 per year, per job. Qualified employees must be a resident of New Mexico and cannot be a relative of the employer or own more than 50 percent of the company

Qualified jobs:

• Pays at least $28,000/year in a community with a population of less than 40,000
• Pays at least $40,000/year in a community with a population of 40,000 or more
• Occupied for at least 48 weeks by the employee

Qualified employers:

• Made more than 50 percent of its sales to persons outside NM during the most recent 12 months of the employer’s modified combined tax liability reporting periods ending prior to claiming this credit
• Are eligible for the Job Training Incentive Program
• Are growing with employment greater than the previous year

INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT FOR MANUFACTURERS (Investment Credit Act): Manufacturers may take a credit against gross receipts, compensating or withholding taxes equal to 5 percent of the value of qualified equipment imported and put into use in a manufacturing plant in New Mexico, provided the manufacturer meets the criteria of hiring additional workers to earn the credit, as follows:

For Claims one new worker employed for each:

• 0-$30,000,000:       $500,000 qualified equipment;
• Over $30,000,000: $1 million in qualified equipment.

The credit may (also) be claimed for equipment acquired under an IRB. This is a double benefit because no gross receipts or compensating tax was paid on the purchase or importation of the equipment. The manufacturer simply reduces its tax payment to the state (by as much as 85 percent per reporting period) until the amount of investment credit is exhausted. There also are provisions for issuing a refund when the credit balance falls under $500,000. The credit does not apply against local gross receipts taxes.

RURAL JOBS TAX CREDIT: Can be applied to taxes due on (state) gross receipts, corporate income or personal income tax. Rural New Mexico is defined as any part of the state other than Los Alamos County; certain municipalities: Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Farmington, Las Cruces, Roswell and Santa Fe; and a 10-mile zone around those select municipalities. Companies that manufacture or produce a product in NM, non-retail service companies that export a substantial percentage of services out of state (50 percent or more revenues and/or customer base) and certain green industries are eligible. A qualifying job is a job filled by an eligible employee for 48 weeks in a 12-month qualifying period. The credit may be carried forward for up to 3 years.

The rural area is divided into two tiers:

• Tier 2 = Non-metro area municipalities that exceed 15,000 in population: Alamogordo, Carlsbad, Clovis, Gallup, and Hobbs;
• Tier 1 = Everywhere else in a rural area

The maximum tax credit amount with respect to each qualifying job is equal to:

• Tier 1: 25% of the first $16,000 in wages paid for the qualifying job (may be taken for four years)
• Tier 2: 12.5% of the first $16,000 in wages paid for the qualifying job (may be taken for two years)

NEW MARKET TAX CREDITS: Designed to help low income communities develop business that provide economic development and jobs, including tribal areas with high levels of unemployment and poverty. The credit is taken over a seven year period, five percent in each of the first three years and six percent in each of the final four years for a total of 39 percent of the original investment amount. NMFA (New Mexico Finance Authority) has received an allocation of $110 million and eligible activities may include:

• Loans or investments located in low-income census tracts
• Development of commercial, industrial and retail real estate projects (including community facilities) in low income census tracts
• Development of for-sale housing in low-income census tracts

GROSS RECEIPTS TAX DEDUCTION FOR SERVICES SOLD OUT-OF-STATE: Services that are exported from the state are not subject to New Mexico gross receipts tax. These services must be produced by a business with a New Mexico office, sold to an out-of-state buyer and delivered and initially used out-of-state.

DOUBLE WEIGHT SALES FACTOR: A corporation (or family of corporations filing together) with income from sources within New Mexico as well as from sources outside the state, apportions the income based on a three-factor formula. New Mexico taxes the total corporate income multiplied by the average proportion of corporate sales, payroll and property in NM. The three factors (sales, payroll and property) have equal weight (33.33 percent each) in the formula. For purposes of electing the four-factor apportionment method, “manufacturing” excludes construction, farming, power generation and processing of natural resources, while allowing certain natural-gas-fired, wholesale power plants to qualify. The taxpayer, having elected to use the double-weighted formula, must use it for at least three consecutive years.

JOB TRAINING INCENTIVE PROGRAM (JTIP): Funds classroom and on-the-job training for newly created jobs in expanding or relocating businesses for up to six months. It reimburses 40 to 70 percent of employee wages. Custom training at a NM public educational institution may also be covered. Companies that manufacture or produce a product in New Mexico, non-retail service companies that export a substantial percentage of services out of state (50 percent+ of revenues and/or customer base) and certain green industries are eligible. The company must be financially sound and creating new jobs as a result of expansion or relocation to NM. Businesses in certain industries are not eligible (e.g., agriculture, construction, gambling, health care and retail). Jobs eligible for funding must be full time (min. 32 hours per week), year-round and directly related to the creation of the product or service. Trainees must be guaranteed full-time employment upon successful completion of the training program. To be eligible for funding, trainees must be new hires to the company, have been residents of the state for at least one year at any time prior to employment in an eligible position and not have left high school in the three months prior to employment, unless they have graduated or completed a GED.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REVOLVING LOAN FUND (CDRLF): Loans are available for projects which stimulate job creation and prosperity and may be used for infrastructure improvements, acquisition of real property, construction, rehabilitation, equipment, public facilities and other real property investments. Terms of repayment are negotiable, not to exceed 10 years.  The interest rate is set at half the 10-year Treasury Bond equivalent rate. Private property may not benefit directly from this program. The political subdivision must pledge a revenue stream to repay the loan.

PUBLIC PROJECT REVOLVING LOAN FUND (PPRF): The New Mexico Finance Authority’s flagship program funds infrastructure and capital equipment projects with low-cost and low-interest rate loans. The key characteristics of the PPRF is that all participating borrowers, regardless of their creditworthiness, receive ‘AAA’ insured interest rates; among the lowest interest rates available in the market.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT PLANNING FUND (LGPF): Provides up-front capital that can be used for water and wastewater projects, long-term master plans, conservation and economic development plans. The planning money comes in the form of a loan which may be forgiven when the final project is financed through NMFA.

STATEWIDE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SWEDFA): The NMFA with the Economic Development Department (NMEDD) are partners in this lending program for private businesses and non-profit companies. SWEDFA offers a variety of financing strategies to help fund small business including bank participations, direct loans, loan guarantees and taxable and tax-exempt bonds.

NEW YORK

REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCILS: Governor Cuomo’s new Regional Councils represent a fundamental shift in New York State’s approach to economic development, from a top-down development model to a community-based approach that empowers regions to set their own development priorities. Each Regional Council, chaired by Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy and made up of local industry, academic, and community leaders, will create a plan for the development of their region. Through a new Consolidated Funding Application that combines resources from dozens of existing programs, the Councils will apply for $1 billion in state funding for projects they determine to be part of their regional strategies. To learn more about the Regional Councils, please visit www.nyopenforbusiness.com.

EXCELSIOR JOBS PROGRAM: Governor Cuomo’s 2011-2012 Executive Budget revised the Excelsior Jobs Program to produce better results for New York’s strategic industries through enhanced tax credits, an extended tax benefit period, discounted gas or electric rates from utilities, and increased responsiveness and transparency. The Program provides job creation and investment incentives to firms in such targeted industries as biotechnology, pharmaceutical, high-tech, clean-technology, green technology, financial services, agriculture and manufacturing. Firms in these industries that create and maintain new jobs or make significant financial investment are eligible to apply for up to four new tax credits. Excelsior encourages businesses to expand in and relocate to New York while maintaining strict accountability standards to guarantee that businesses deliver on job and investment commitments. Program costs are capped at $500 million annually to maintain fiscal affordability and ensure that New Yorkers realize a positive return on their investment. To learn more about the Excelsior Jobs Program, please visit www.esd.ny.gov/BusinessPrograms.html.

COMMERCIAL DISTRICT REVOLVING LOAN TRUST FUNDS: ESD has capitalized over $600,000, making funds available to five community-based corporations to administer and make loans to small retail and service businesses in their service areas. The two primary forms of assistance are:

• Working capital loans of up to $15,000 for up to 5 years. Loans may be used for, but not limited to: upgrading display lighting; advertising and promotion; payroll for additional staff and training; purchase of computers to enhance inventory control; and the purchase of display cabinets, furniture and fixtures.
• Fixed asset loans of up to $20,000 for terms not to exceed 7 years. Loans may be used for, but not limited to: acquisition or improvement of real property, including interior improvements and remodeling, building façade improvements and signage.

Eligible applicants include for-profit retail, professional or commercial service businesses with 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees, located within the specific service delivery area served by the administering corporation.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CDFI): Provides micro-loans to businesses who often do not qualify for bank loans, as well as one-on-one counseling and business development assistance to facilitate credit-readiness.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND (EDF): Offers financial assistance for projects that promote the economic health of New York State by facilitating the creation and or retention of jobs or the increase of business activity in the State. EDF funds assist with construction, expansion and rehabilitation of facilities; acquisition of machinery and equipment; working capital; and the training of full-time permanent employees.

ENTREPRENEURIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP): Establishes Entrepreneurial Assistance Centers in local communities to provide instruction, training, technical assistance and support services to individuals who have recently started their own business or are interested in starting a business.

INDUSTRIAL EFFECTIVENESS PROGRAM (IEP): To provide technical and financial assistance to help New York State manufacturing firms address competitiveness issues that increase productivity, efficiency and market share. The award evaluation will be based on demonstrated need, company size, willingness to share costs of technical expertise and contribute resources, involvement of employees and commitment to self-improvement. The maximum award is a $50,000 grant.

JOB DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (JDA) DIRECT LOAN PROGRAM: Provides Direct Loans for the growth of manufacturing and other eligible businesses within New York State by assisting in financing a portion of the cost of acquiring and renovating existing buildings or constructing new buildings (“Real Estate” projects) or for purchasing machinery and equipment (“M&E” projects). Funds to make Loans are derived from the sale of State-guaranteed bonds.

In most cases, JDA Loans can be for up to 40 percent of the total project cost of Real Estate projects or M&E projects. Loans may be up to 60 percent for projects located in Empire Zones or economically distressed area.

The combination of a bank loan and a JDA Loan allows up to 90 percent financing of a project.

JOBS NOW: Offers financial assistance for major business expansion and attraction efforts that will create or attract significant numbers of permanent, full time private sector jobs in New York State. It is primarily directed toward large projects that create a minimum of 300 new full-time jobs. ESD may provide assistance for projects that create fewer than 300, but at least 100 new, permanent, full-time, private sector jobs, within the State.

Funding assists businesses with construction and expansion of facilities; acquisition of machinery and equipment; to offset a portion of state and local taxes incurred by the expansion; and the recruitment, hiring and training of full-time permanent employees.

MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS (MWBE) DEVELOPMENT & LENDING PROGRAM: Provides financial assistance to Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) in the State, as well as to projects and programs that assist the development of entrepreneurship among minority persons and women in New York State. Assistance is offered through:

• Lending in conjunction with local, community and regionally-based entities
• Lending for certified government contractors and eligible government contractors
• Direct financial assistance
• Incubator assistance
• Technical assistance

TRANSPORTATION CAPITAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: ESD administers this loan program for the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). It provides government contractor working capital loans to small business enterprises and NYS-certified minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs) that have transportation-related construction contracts with NYSDOT or who are subcontractors of contractors having transportation-related contracts with NYSDOT. The program offers loans from $20,000 to $500,000, with a prime interest rate fixed at closing. Contractors that have been awarded a contract but have not yet begun work on the contract are eligible. Applications are accepted continuously.

WORLD TRADE CENTER JOB CREATION & RETENTION PROGRAM (JCRP): Encourages companies to commit to creating a minimum of 75 new jobs, or retaining at least 200 jobs, in Lower Manhattan.

NEW MARKETS TAX CREDIT: Program that subsidizes long-term capital investment in order to foster job creation and community development in Low-Income Communities throughout New York State. Empire State Development (ESD) has available interest-only loans at below-market rates, a portion of which may be forgiven upon maturity.

NEW YORK STATE FILM PRODUCTION CREDIT PROGRAM: Established to attract and grow the film and television production industries throughout New York State (NYS). It offers a fully refundable 30 percent tax credit on qualified production costs incurred in NYS and is funded at $420 million per year for each of the calendar years 2010-2014. Eligible productions include:

• Feature films
• Episodic television series
• Television pilots and presentations
• Television movies and miniseries

NEW YORK STATE FILM POST PRODUCTION CREDIT PROGRAM: Created to support and grow the post production industry in New York State. Many projects, whose location shooting was done elsewhere, will take advantage of New York’s abundant post-houses and bring the project to NYS for their post production work. Up to $7 million per year for calendar years 2010-2014 inclusive will be available.

This program is entirely separate from the New York State Film Production Credit program, and applicants to that program may NOT apply to both programs for the same project.

The NYS Post Production credit is a fully refundable 10 percent tax credit on qualified post production costs paid in the production of a qualified film at a qualified post production facility in New York State. There are no per-project caps, and there is rollover in the annual $7 million allocation going forward until 2014.

NORTH CAROLINA

ARTICLE 3J TAX CREDITS: North Carolina offers several types of tax credits to eligible taxpayers that undertake qualifying initiatives. One class of these credits, the Article 3J Tax Credits, may be used to offset up to 50 percent of the taxpayer’s state income and/or franchise tax liability, and unused credits may be carried forward for up to five years. Article 3J offers credits for:

• Creating jobs – Companies who meet a minimum threshold of new fulltime jobs created during the taxable year may claim a credit.
• Investing in business property – Companies can claim a credit based on a percentage of the cost of capitalized tangible personal property that is placed in service during the taxable year.
• Investment in real property – Companies located in a Tier 1 County (see below) that invest at least $10 million in real property within a three-year period and create at least 200 new jobs within two years are allowed a credit equal to 30 percent of the eligible investment.

CHANGES TO ARTICLE 3J IN 2011:

• Modifies the criteria applicable to companies that take the Article 3A tax credits to allow a company, otherwise required to maintain 200 employees, to take remaining credit installments if employment is above 125 and if the taxpayer makes an investment equal to $5,000,000 or greater than twice the amount of the remaining installments at the facility within two years of the employment level falling below 200.
• Establishment of port enhancement zones within 25 miles from a port allowing an Article 3J credit under certain conditions beginning 7/1/2013. The North Carolina Department of Commerce will publish a list of all PEZ and boundary descriptions annually.

TAX CHANGE FOR SMALL AND START-UP BUSINESS: This applies to calculating the North Carolina taxable income. A taxpayer may now deduct the first $50,000 of net business income the taxpayer receives during the taxable year.

RENEWABLE ENERGY TAX CREDITS: North Carolina’s various renewable-energy tax credits are unified into a statute that addresses nearly all renewables. The statute provides tax credits eligible for the cost of equipment and associated design; construction costs; and installation costs by a taxpayer and placed into service in North Carolina during the taxable year. The credit is subject to various ceilings depending on sector and the type of renewable-energy system. The following credit limits for various technologies and sectors apply:

• A maximum of $3,500 for non-business solar energy equipment for active space heating, combined active space and domestic water-heating systems, and passive space heating;
• A maximum of $1,400 for non-business solar water-heating systems, including solar pool-heating systems;
• A maximum of $10,500 for renewable-energy systems for non-business use;
• A maximum of $8,400 for geothermal equipment installation;
• A maximum of $2,500,000 for solar, wind, hydro, geothermal and biomass applications on commercial and industrial facilities, including photovoltaic (PV), daylighting, solar water-heating and space-heating technologies.

INTERACTIVE DIGITAL MEDIA TAX CREDIT: North Carolina taxpayers that develop Interactive Digital Media (IDM) within the state are allowed a tax credit. Credits are awarded for taxpayer’s expenses that exceed $50,000 that are paid during the taxable year in development phases, and may not exceed $7.5 million.

NORTH CAROLINA PORTS TAX CREDITS: Provide tax credits toward income taxes paid by businesses or individuals using NC Ports facilities at Morehead City and Wilmington. Businesses who pay NC state income tax and use NC ports can qualify for tax credits on both inbound and outbound cargo. The credit is earned on cargo wharfage and handling fees paid to the N.C. State Ports Authority which exceed the average for over three tax years. The credit applies to taxes due to the state—up to 50 percent of the total tax liability for each tax year. Any unused credit may be carried forwarded up to five years for a total credit of up to $2 million.

TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT TAX CREDIT: Businesses with qualified NC research expenses are allowed a tax credit equal to a percentage of those expenses. The allowable credits are determined by:

• Small Business status (annual receipts less than $1 million): Qualified businesses on the last day of the taxable year are allowed a credit of 3.25 percent.
• County Tier: Certain tax programs in NC are indexed to a county ranking system. For expenses for research performed in a Tier 1 county, a business is permitted a credit of 3.25 percent.
• Other research

JOB DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENT GRANTS (JDIG): Awards a limited number of cash grants directly to new and expanding businesses that will provide economic benefits to the State, and need the grant to carry out the project in North Carolina. Grants are based on the job creation and investment commitment made by companies in their formal applications to the State prior to a location decision. Grant funds are disbursed annually to approved companies based on a percentage of withholding taxes paid by new employees, following satisfaction of performance criteria set out in grant agreements.

ONE NORTH CAROLINA FUND: Helps recruit and expand quality jobs in high value-added, knowledge-driven industries and provides financial assistance to those businesses or industries deemed vital to a healthy economy that are making significant efforts to expand in North Carolina. Companies can receive money for:

• Installation or purchase of equipment.
• Structural repairs, improvements, or renovations of existing buildings to be used for expansion.
• Construction of, or improvements to, new or existing water, sewer, gas or electric utility distribution lines, or equipment for existing buildings.

SITE AND INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT FUND: Provides assistance for site development and infrastructure improvements for very high-impact projects.

JOB MAINTENANCE AND CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT FUND: Provides a limited number of grants to businesses located in Development Tier 1 counties, where the business has at least (i) 2,000 employees, and invests at least $200 million in capital improvements, or (ii) 320 employees, and invests at least $65 million in capital improvements to convert its manufacturing process to change the product it manufactures.

SALES AND USE TAX DISCOUNTS, EXEMPTIONS AND REFUNDS: Offers reduced rate allowances on certain parts, accessories and construction supplies for eligible industries and manufacturing processes.

INDUSTRIAL REVENUE BOND PROGRAM: Assist private business development and expansion by issuing low-interest tax-exempt bonds. It offers qualified manufacturing facilities and certain solid waste disposal facilities convenient, long-term, flexible financing. The Industrial Facilities and Pollution Control Financing Authority of each county issues these bonds in the county where the project is located.

IRBs can be either tax-exempt or taxable and can be used to finance an entire project, including the cost of land, construction of new or expanded facilities, acquisition and installation of depreciable property such as equipment, and construction period interest.

INDUSTRIAL ROAD ACCESS PROGRAM: Administered by North Carolina’s Department of Transportation (DOT), this program provides funds for the construction of roads to provide access to new or expanded industrial facilities. An access review committee comprised of representatives of the Department of Transportation performs a technical review of a requested project and makes recommendations about traffic and safety concerns and approval is based upon the resulting economic benefits of the project including the number of new jobs created, the amount of capital investment, highway’s use and the area’s economic conditions.

INDUSTRIAL RAIL ACCESS SYSTEM: Administered by the North Carolina DOT for businesses that want to locate or expand their facilities in NC. This program ensures that industries have the tracks needed to transport freight and materials and also assists in refurbishing tracks.

Grant funding is contingent upon approval prior to the company making a decision to locate or expand in North Carolina and a private and/or local source match of funds. Approval is also based upon the economic benefits of the project including the number of new jobs created, the amount of capital investment, rail use and the area’s economic conditions.

FOREIGN TRADE ZONES (FTZ): Neutral, secured areas legally outside of the U.S. customs territory that offer economic advantages for businesses involved in international trade. There are six FTZs in North Carolina; several subzones are also approved for use by individual manufacturers.

NORTH DAKOTA

PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION: Any new or expanding business project may be granted a property tax exemption for up to five years. All buildings, structures or improvements used in, or necessary to, the operation of the project qualify. The structure might be the project’s buildings or the project’s quarters within a larger building. Land does not qualify for an exemption. Two extensions are available:

• Agricultural processors may be granted a partial or full exemption for up to five additional years.
• A project located on property leased from a government entity qualifies for an exemption for up to five additional years upon annual application by the project operator.

In addition to, or instead of, an exemption, local governments and any project operator may negotiate payments in lieu of property tax for a period of up to 20 years from the date project operations begin.

WIND TURBINE ELECTRIC GENERATION PROPERTY TAX REDUCTION: A property tax reduction applies to a centrally assessed wind turbine electric generation unit—a unit that produces electric power for public use—with a nameplate generation capacity of 100 kilowatts or more. For an eligible wind turbine on which construction is completed before January 1, 2015, the taxable value is calculated at 3 percent of assessed value instead of at 10 percent which applies to other centrally assessed property. The taxable value is calculated at 1.5 percent of assessed value if:

• construction of the wind turbine is completed after June 30, 2006, and before January 1, 2015, or
• a purchased power agreement was executed after April 30, 2005, and before January 1, 2006, and the construction of the wind turbine was completed after April 30, 2005, and before July 1, 2006.

SALES TAX EXEMPTIONS

• AGRICULTURAL COMMODITY PROCESSING PLANT CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS: Construction materials used to construct an agricultural commodity processing facility are exempt from sales and use taxes.COAL MINE MACHINERY OR EQUIPMENT: A sales and use tax exemption may be granted for machinery or equipment used to produce coal from a new mine in North Dakota. The exemption for each new mine is limited to the first $5 million of sales and use tax paid. The exemption extends to replacement machinery or equipment if the capitalized investment in the new mine exceeds $20 million.
• COMPUTER & TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT: For primary sector businesses other than manufacturers and recyclers, a sales and use tax exemption is allowed for purchases of computer and telecommunications equipment. To qualify, the equipment must be an integral part of a new primary sector business or create an economic expansion of an existing business, and the primary sector business must be certified by the Department of Commerce Division of Economic Development and Finance. The exemption does not extend to the purchase of replacement equipment.
• ELECTRICAL GENERATING FACILITIES—COAL-POWERED: An exemption may be granted for purchasing building materials, production equipment and other tangible personal property used in the construction or expansion of coal-powered electrical generating facilities. To qualify, the facility must convert beneficiated coal or coal from its natural form into electrical power and have at least one single electrical generation unit with a capacity of 50,000 kilowatts or more.
• ELECTRICAL GENERATING FACILITIES—WIND-POWERED: An exemption is allowed for purchasing building materials, production equipment, and other tangible personal property used in the construction or expansion of wind-powered electrical generating facilities between July 2001 and January 2015. To be eligible, a facility must have at least one single electrical energy generation unit with a nameplate capacity of 100 kilowatts or more.
• ELECTRICAL GENERATING FACILITIES—OTHER: An exemption may be granted for purchasing building materials, production equipment and other tangible personal property used in the construction or expansion of an electrical generating facility other than a coal- or wind-powered facility. To qualify, the facility must produce electricity for resale or for consumption in a business activity and have at least one single electrical generation unit with a capacity of 100 kilowatts or more.
• GAS PROCESSING FACILITIES: An exemption may be granted for purchasing building materials, equipment and other tangible personal property used in the expansion or construction of a gas processing facility. Also, tangible personal property used to construct or expand a system to compress, process or gather gas recovered from an oil or gas well in ND may qualify for an exemption. In addition, purchases of machinery, equipment and related facilities for environmental upgrades that exceed $100,000 and that reduce emissions, increase efficiency or enhance reliability of equipment may also qualify for an exemption.
• MANUFACTURING, AGRICULTURAL OR RECYCLING EQUIPMENT: A new or expanding plant may exempt machinery or equipment from sales and use taxes if it is used primarily for manufacturing or agricultural processing, or used solely for recycling. The expansion must increase production volume, employment or the types of products that can be manufactured or processed.
• OIL REFINERIES: An exemption may be granted for building materials, equipment and other tangible personal property used to expand or construct an oil refinery in North Dakota. To qualify, the facility must have a nameplate capacity of processing at least 5,000 barrels of oil per day. In addition, purchases for environmental upgrades that exceed $100,000 and that reduce emissions, increase efficiency or enhance reliability of equipment may also qualify for an exemption.
• TELECOMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE: An exemption may be granted through December 31, 2012 for purchasing tangible personal property used to construct or expand telecommunications service infrastructure within the state. To qualify, the property must be incorporated into a telecommunications service infrastructure owned by a telecommunications company.
• BIODIESEL EQUIPMENT: The sale of equipment not installed by the seller to a facility licensed under N.D.C.C. § 57-43.2-05 to enable the facility to sell diesel fuel containing at least 2 percent biodiesel fuel or green diesel fuel by volume is exempt from sales tax.
• CARBON DIOXIDE FOR ENHANCED OIL & GAS RECOVERY: The sale of carbon dioxide to be used for enhanced recovery of oil or natural gas is exempt from sales and use tax.
• HYDROGEN GENERATION FACILITY: Sales of hydrogen used to power an internal combustion engine or fuel cell are exempt from sales tax. Equipment used directly and exclusively in the production and storage of this hydrogen by a hydrogen generation facility is also exempt from sales tax.

INCOME TAX EXEMPTION: A primary sector or tourism business may qualify for an income tax exemption for up to five years. “Primary sector” refers to a business that adds value to a product, process or service that produces new wealth in ND. Eligibility is limited to a new business or existing business that expands its operations in the state. A business is not eligible for the exemption if it has received a property tax exemption under tax increment financing; there is an outstanding recorded lien for delinquent property, income, sales or use taxes against the business; or the exemption fosters unfair competition or endangers existing business.

AGRICULTURAL COMMODITY PROCESSING FACILITY INVESTMENT CREDIT: An income tax credit may be allowed for investing in an agricultural commodity processing facility—a livestock feeding, handling, milking or holding operation that uses as part of its operation a by-product produced at a biofuels production facility—in ND certified by the Dept. of Commerce Division of Economic Development and Finance (EDF). An investment may consist of a direct cash payment, a transfer of a fee simple interest in ND real property or a direct transfer of cash from a retirement plan for which the investor controls where the plan’s assets are invested. The credit is equal to 30 percent of the investment. No more than $50,000 of the credit may be used in any year. An unused credit may be carried forward up to ten years. A taxpayer is allowed no more than $250,000 in credits for all years.

ANGEL FUND INVESTMENT CREDIT: An income tax credit is allowed for investing in an angel fund in ND certified by the Department of Commerce EDF. The credit is equal to 45 percent of the investment, up to a maximum credit of $45,000 per year. An unused credit may be carried forward up to seven tax years. For credits based on investments made on or after January 1, 2011, a taxpayer is allowed no more than $150,000.

AUTOMATION CREDIT: Allowed only for the 2013, 2014 and 2015 tax years, it is an income tax credit for purchasing machinery and equipment for the purposes of automating a manufacturing process in ND. The credit is equal to 20 percent of the cost of the machinery and equipment approved by the Department of Commerce EDF. The business must be certified by EDF as a primary sector business to be eligible for the credit. An unused credit may be carried forward up to five tax years. In the case of a passthrough entity, such as a partnership or S corporation, the credit is passed through to its owners in proportion to their ownership interests. Total credits are limited to $2 million in any calendar year.

RESEARCH EXPENSE CREDIT: An income tax credit for conducting research in North Dakota. The credit is equal to a percentage of the excess of qualified research expenses in ND over the base amount in North Dakota.

The applicable percentage is 25 percent for the first $100,000 of excess expenses in a tax year. For excess expenses over $100,000 in a year, the applicable percentage for tax years 2007 through 2016 is:

• 20 percent, if qualified research in North Dakota first begins in 2007 through 2010, or
• 7.5 percent for 2007, 11 percent for 2008, 14.5 percent for 2009, and 18 percent for 2010 through 2016, if qualified research in North Dakota began before 2007, or
• 8%, if qualified research in North Dakota first begins after 2010.

For tax years after 2016, the applicable percentage for excess expenses over $100,000 in a year is 8 percent for all taxpayers, regardless of when qualified research first begins.

SEED CAPITAL INVESTMENT CREDIT: An income tax credit for investing in a business certified by the Department of Commerce EDF. The credit is equal to 45 percent of the investment. No more than $112,500 of the credit may be used in any year. An unused credit may be carried forward up to four tax years. Only the first $500,000 of eligible investments in the business are eligible for the tax credit. The total amount of tax credits allowed for investments made in all certified businesses in any calendar year is limited to $3.5 million.

WAGE & SALARY CREDIT: A corporation doing business in North Dakota for the first time is allowed an income tax credit if it did not receive a property or income tax exemption under N.D.C.C. ch. 40-57.1; was not created from a reorganization or acquisition of an existing ND business; and is engaged in assembling, fabricating, manufacturing, mixing or processing of an agricultural, mineral or manufactured product. The credit is equal to:

• 1 percent of wages and salaries paid during the tax year for each of the first three tax years of operation, and
• ½ percent of wages and salaries paid during the tax year for the fourth and fifth tax years.

WORKFORCE RECRUITMENT CREDIT: If extraordinary recruitment methods are used to hire employees for hard-to-fill positions in ND, an income tax credit equal to 5 percent of the compensation paid during the first 12 consecutive months to the employee hired is allowed in the first tax year following the tax year in which the employee completes the 12 consecutive month employment period. Unused credit may be carried forward up to four tax years. To qualify, an employer must pay an annual salary that is at least 125 percent of North Dakota’s average wage and must have employed all of the following recruitment methods for at least six months to fill a position for which the credit is claimed:

1. Contracted with a professional recruiter for a fee;
2. Advertised in a professional trade journal, magazine or publication directed at the trade or profession;
3. Provided employment information on a web site for a fee; and
4. Paid a signing bonus, moving expenses or atypical fringe benefits.

In addition, if an employer claims the credit, the employee hired in the hard-to-fill position is allowed a deduction for the signing bonus, moving expenses, or atypical fringe benefits paid by the employer that are included in the employee’s federal taxable income.

OHIO

Ohio JOB CREATION TAX CREDIT: Provides corporate franchise or state income tax credit for businesses that expand or locate in Ohio for companies that incur tax liability under ORC Sections 5733.06 or 5747.02. Program will provide a tax credit against the Commercial Activity Tax (CAT) . Insurance companies that pay the annual franchise tax under ORC Sections 5725.18/5729.03 are eligible for the tax credit.

Ohio JOB RETENTION TAX CREDIT: Provides corporate franchise or state income tax credit for businesses that commit to retain a significant number of full-time jobs. Program will provide a tax credit against the Commercial Activity Tax (CAT).

Ohio RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT: Provides a nonrefundable tax credit against the corporate franchise tax and is designed to encourage Ohio’s corporations to invest in increased research and development activities. The credit equals 7 percent of the excess amount of Qualified Research Expenses.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SALES TAX EXEMPTION: Provides an exemption from the usual state and county sales tax for companies that purchase equipment for research and development activities. Exempts business from entire state and county sales tax for purchases of machinery and equipment used primarily for research and development.

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENT LOAN FUND: Provides loan financing of between $1 million and $5 million for projects primarily engaging in R&D activity. Rates are fixed (at or below market rates) with terms similar to those of commercial bank financing. Companies receive a dollar-for-dollar, non-refundable Ohio commercial activity tax credit for all principal and interest payments during the year.

MANUFACTURING MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT SALES TAX EXEMPTION: an exemption from state and county sales tax for companies that purchase machinery and equipment for manufacturing activities. Exempts business from entire state and county sales tax for purchases of machinery and equipment used primarily for manufacturing.

WAREHOUSE MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT SALES TAX EXEMPTION: Exempts business from entire state and county sales tax for purchases of eligible machinery and equipment. Includes machinery and equipment used primarily (51 percent) in storing, transporting, mailing or handling inventory in a warehouse, distribution center or similar facility if the inventory handled by the facility is primarily distributed outside Ohio to retail stores owned by the business or affiliated group that owns the Ohio facility or distributed by means of direct marketing.

TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT: Offers a variety of benefits to Ohio taxpayers who invest in small, research and development and technology-oriented forms. This incentive provides a tax credit for taxpayers that invest in small, Ohio-based technology companies. The amount of the tax credit is 25 percent (or 30 percent in some limited cases) of the amount invested by the taxpayer. The maximum investment to which this credit may be applied is $250,000 (or $300,000). The credit may be claimed against personal income tax, corporate franchise tax, public utility excise tax or the dealers in intangibles tax.

ENTERPRISE ZONES: Provides real property tax incentives for businesses that expand or locate in Ohio (may provide personal property tax incentives for those qualifying businesses that continue to pay personal property tax).

OHIO HISTORIC PRESERVATION TAX CREDIT: Provides a tax credit for the rehabilitation expenses to owners of historically significant buildings. Funding is provided through competitive rounds based on economic benefit and regional distributive balance. The tax credit subsidy is 25 percent of qualified rehabilitation expenditures (QRE) not to exceed the QRE estimates in the application, with an application cap of $5 million.

COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT AREAS: Provides local real-property tax incentives for residents and businesses that invest in designated areas of Ohio—up to 100 percent exemption of the improved real property tax valuation for up to 15 years depending on the project.

RAPID OUTREACH GRANT: Funds are used for the acquisition of machinery and equipment, new building construction, building acquisition, on- or off-site infrastructure improvements and other fixed asset investments, manufacturing, research and development, high technology, corporate headquarters, and distribution. Given the demand for limited grant funds, qualified projects must involve substantial job creation or retention.

ROADWORK DEVELOPMENT (629) ACCOUNT: Available for public roadway improvements, including engineering and design costs. Funds are available for projects primarily involving manufacturing, R&D, high technology, corporate headquarters and distribution activity. Projects must typically create or retain jobs. Grants are usually provided to the local jurisdiction and require local participation.

INNOVATION OHIO LOAN FUND: Provides loans for acquisition, construction and related costs of technology, facilities and equipment purchase. It was created to assist existing Ohio companies in developing next-generation products and services within Targeted Industry Sectors.

OHIO ADVANCED ENERGY FUND: Administered by the Ohio Energy Office, connects companies and communities with financial and technical resources to deploy energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, and to support advanced energy economic development.

OHIO ENTERPRISE BOND FUND: Provides revenue bond financing through an S&P rated fund whereby proceeds from the sale of bonds is loaned to companies for fixed-rate, long-term capital asset financing. Rates are fixed prior to funding, depending on the type of bond issued, with terms between seven to 10 years for equipment and 15 to 20 years for real estate. Up to $10 million in financing is available through the Program.

OHIO JOB READY SITES PROGRAM: Created to bolster Ohio’s inventory of available facility locations served by utility and transportation infrastructure. Sites improved under the program are kept ready for future business prospects seeking locations for new or expanded operations. The grants may be used to offset costs traditionally incurred in industrial and commercial site development, from acquisition of real property to utility upgrades to construction build-out of speculative facilities.

RURAL INDUSTRIAL PARK LOAN: Provides direct loans to rural, distressed local communities and applicants committed to creating well-planned industrial parks.

URBAN REDEVELOPMENT LOAN: Provides low-interest loans to municipalities or designated nonprofit economic development organizations to acquire real estate for assembly into developable parcels and remediate any Brownfield contamination site to entice private business investment in distressed urban locations.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FUNDING WORKFORCE GUARANTEE PROGRAM: Supports companies that are making investments in facilities, equipment and training that result in the retention and creation of jobs for Ohioans. It provides direct financial support to employers for training, paying for a portion of instructor salaries, materials, travel and special needs.

INVEST OHIO: Provides a non-refundable personal income tax credit to investors that infuse new equity (cash) into Ohio small businesses to acquire an ownership interest in the company. The small business is required to reinvest that infusion of cash into one of five categories of allowable expenses within six months of its receipt. The investor must retain his or her ownership interest for a two-year holding period before the tax credit may be claimed. The small business must similarly retain the property that it purchased from the cash infusion for the entire two-year holding period.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT INNOVATION FUND (LGIF): Established to provide financial assistance to Ohio political subdivisions for planning and implementing projects that are projected to create more efficient and effective service delivery within a specific discipline of government services for one or more entities. Through this program, the Ohio Department of Development seeks to promote efficiency, collaboration, merger and shared services among local governments. Projects are also expected to facilitate improved business environments and promote community attraction.

The LGIF program will award up to $100,000 in grant funds per feasibility study, up to $100,000 in loan assistance per entity for demonstration projects and up to $500,000 in loan assistance for collaborative demonstration projects. Award amounts for applicants with collaborative partners are limited to $100,000 per applicant and $100,000 for each collaborative partner up to $500,000. Grant funds will be awarded biannually and loan funds will be awarded quarterly through a competitive and open selection process.

OHIO NEW MARKETS TAX CREDIT PROGRAM: Provides investors with state tax credits in exchange for delivering below-market -rate investment options to Ohio businesses, sparking revitalization in Ohio’s low-income communities.

OHIO MOTION PICTURE TAX CREDIT: Provides a refundable credit against the corporation franchise or income tax for various Ohio productions. The tax credit is available to applicants making eligible productions as certified by the Director of Development. The tax credit is equal to 25 percent of non-wage and nonresident wage Ohio production expenditures and 35 percent of Ohio resident wage production expenditures.

VOLUME CAP: Provides a federal tax benefit by allowing eligible issuers to issue tax exempt Private Activity Bonds up to a state limit known as the “Volume Cap.” The State of Ohio’s allocation of Volume Cap is determined annually by the Internal Revenue Service on a per capita basis, and may be used for projects consisting of multi-family housing, single-family housing, exempt facilities, manufacturing and student loan bonds.

OKLAHOMA

The QUALITY JOBS 10-YEAR CASH INCENTIVE provides cash payments of up to 5 percent of new payroll for up to 10 years. To qualify, the company must have an average county wage or $29,745, whichever is lower, achieve $2.5M annual payroll within 3 years, and offer basic health insurance. Target industries include: manufacturing, R&D including wind power manufacturing, corporate services, and data centers.

INVESTMENT/NEW JOBS TAX CREDIT PACKAGE: The program allows a company to choose between a tax credit based on investment or new employees. The 5-year tax credit applies to the greater of 1 percent per year of investment in new depreciable property of $500 per new employee and the credit doubles in Enterprise Zones and if the investment exceeds $40 million. Target industries include manufacturing and aircraft maintenance operations.

The 21ST CENTURY QUALITY JOBS 10-YEAR CASH BACK INCENTIVE requires at least 10 full-time jobs at an annual average wage of the lesser of $94,418 or 300 percent of the county’s average wage. It allows a net benefit rate of up to 10 percent of payroll for up to 10 years. To qualify, out-of-state sales must be at least 50 percent. Target industries include: knowledge-based service industries, including professional, scientific and technical services; music, film and performing arts; and specialty hospitals.

The PRIMEWIN PRIME CONTRACTOR INCENTIVE allows federal prime contractors to be paid for jobs and payroll created by both the prime contractor and a qualifying subcontractor. This incentive offers a cash rebate of up to 2 percent of the Oklahoma workforce loaded labor cost and cash incentives paid quarterly for up to 10 years. OSU-UML, as contract verifier, certifies the qualified labor hours performed under a qualifying federal contract.

The OKLAHOMA QUICK ACTION CLOSING FUND: Established in the 1st Session of the 53rd Oklahoma Legislature in House Bill 1953, it can be expended by the Governor for economic development and related infrastructure development to locate a high-impact business project or facility in Oklahoma or retain such a facility in the State. The business making an application must be engaged in a business activity that is eligible for Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program Act incentive payments (68 O.S. § 3603) or in a “basic industry” as set forth in the 21st Century Quality Jobs Incentive Act (68 O.S. § 3913).

STATE SMALL BUSINES CREDIT INITIATIVE: The State of Oklahoma was awarded $13,168,350 by the U.S Treasury for the State Small Business Credit Initiative. The award will be used to make capital investment in new and expanding small businesses in Oklahoma. i2E will manage the funds on behalf of the State of Oklahoma. For more information please contact i2E at (405) 235- 2305 or www.i2e.org.

OKLAHOMA QUALITY EVENTS PROGRAM: If incremental sales taxes are greater in a community as the result of hosting a quality event, this incentive program allows the Oklahoma Tax Commission to make a payment of no more than $250,000 to the host community for eligible expenses resulting from hosting the Quality Event. “Quality Event” is a meeting of the members for a nationally recognized organization. Additionally, in order to be considered a quality event for the incentive, the site selection process must be a competitive process in which at least one site not located in Oklahoma was considered by the organization. Eligible expenses are those expenses that are:

• Paid by the local government entity from the general revenue fund or a locally imposed tax.
• Paid to either the certified sponsor of the Quality Event or paid to a for-profit or nonprofit entity through the certified sponsor.
• Used for advertising, promoting, organizing or otherwise supporting the Quality Event.

If the host community meets the other statutory requirements, it is eligible to be reimbursed for the eligible expenses from incremental state sales tax revenue collected from a period of up to 2 days prior to and to 2 days after the last day of the Quality Event. Additionally, the state sales taxes that are captured for reimbursement must occur no more than 13 miles from the property lines of the primary property for the Quality Event.

OKLAHOMA COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POOLED FINANCE: Creates a financing incentive that targets job creation and infrastructure development; and a foundation of ensuring Oklahoma’s infrastructure is high quality for attracting and retaining jobs. A $100 million Infrastructure Pool is created for public financing to local governments issued through the Oklahoma Development Finance Authority. The Infrastructure Pool revenue must be used for infrastructure development. Bonds issued from the Infrastructure Pool are financed or repaid from taxes voted on by local community. A $100 million Economic Development Pool is created for public finance to local 
governments in conjunction with a for-profit entity through ODFA.

The Economic Development Pool shall be used for economic development 
projects in the state. Debt issued from the Economic Development Pool may be paid from withholdings taxes, and other revenue, at the for‐profit entity benefitted by the 
financing. For debt obligations issued under this act, there is a maximum maturity of 25 years and a maximum coupon rate of 14 percent. 65 percent of the net proceeds from both the Infrastructure Pool and the Economic Development Pool shall be used by ODFA for municipalities that do not exceed 300,000 people. The remaining 35 percent may be used by the ODFA for any eligible local government. Effective September 1, 2010 an evergreen clause permits the renewal of issuing capacity by ODFA.

AD VALOREM TAX EXEMPTIONS: Certain new and expanding manufacturers, research and development companies, certain computer services and data processing companies with significant out-of state sales, aircraft repair companies, oil refineries, and certain windpower generators may be eligible for ad valorem tax exemptions for up to five years. SIC Industry Group Numbers 5112 and 5415 and NAICS Numbers 334611, and 519130 must have out-of-state sales of at least 50 percent. SIC Industry Group Number 5142 must have out-of-state sales of at least 80 percent. Computer data processing classified in SIC Industry Group 7374 and NAICS 514210 may also be eligible based on payroll or capital investment. 
Threshold requirements are an investment of at least $250,000 and an addition of $250,000 in annual payroll in counties with a population of 75,000 or less. If the company is located in a larger county, an additional annualized payroll of at least $1,000,000 is required. Firms must make an annual application to the County Assessor by March 15th of the year in which the exemption is requested.

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES TAX CREDITS: Oklahoma encourages alternative, zero-emission fuel production by providing tax credits to producers of electricity utilizing such sources and to small wind turbine manufacturers. Tax credits accrue and may be claimed beginning January 1, 2011. Producers may receive 75 one-hundredths of one cent per kilowatt-hour. Credits may be earned for 10 years once production begins, and earned credits may be carried forward 10 years. Non-taxable electric producers may transfer the credits. Small wind turbine manufacturers may earn a credit of $25 per square foot of rotor swept area starting in 2003. The credits are freely transferable and may be carried forward 10 years.

FOREIGN TRADE ZONES: U.S. Customs Duty Management Program where manufacturers and distributors located in Foreign Trade Zones—since for Customs purposes, are considered to reside outside the U.S.—benefit from cost savings and flexibility. Businesses engaged in international trade within these Zones benefit from special customs procedures when importing and when warehousing, manufacturing or assembling with imported goods that remain in bond under Customs Control. Subzones may be established for single purpose manufacturing/fabricating and distribution operations. There are four Zones in Oklahoma: Port of Muskogee (FTZ #164) and the Tulsa Port of Catoosa (FTZ #53), which are both on the McClellan Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, providing rail, barge and truck transportation services from Oklahoma to ports throughout the world; the Port Authority at Will Rogers World Airport of the Greater Oklahoma City Area (FTZ #106), Oklahoma City; and the International Business Park in Durant (FTZ #227).

OKLAHOMA FILM ACT: The Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Act allows a rebate of up to 37 percent of qualified expenditures made in Oklahoma that are directly attributable to film, television production, television commercial and theater. Qualifying Expenditures for productions include the cost of construction and operations, photography, sound synchronization, wages and wardrobe, facilities and related services. The minimum budget for the project shall be $50,000 with a minimum of $25,000 spent in Oklahoma. In addition to the rebate, the State of Oklahoma offers a Point-of-Purchase sales tax exemption to qualifying productions on sales tax paid for property or services to be used in productions. The POP Sales Tax Exemption cannot be used in conjunction with the rebate, and there is no minimum budget or expenditure requirement.

SALES/INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR TOURISM ATTRACTION PROJECTS: The Oklahoma Tourism Development Act provides an incentive for qualified new or expanding tourism facilities and attractions. Approved companies are issued a credit against either income tax or sales tax liability that results from expenditures for projects that attract more tourists to Oklahoma. The credit is calculated based on a percentage of the attraction’s development costs. The company and the Director of the Department of Tourism and Recreation must enter into a tourism attraction development agreement with a 10-year term before any credits may be issued.

OKLAHOMA CAPITAL ACCESS PROGRAM: The Oklahoma Capital Investment Board (OCIB) manages this easy-to-use economic service program that encourages additional business lending activity. It provides a “credit insurance” reserve for Oklahoma banks through a fee matching arrangement for loans enrolled in the program. It gives banks additional resources to finance economic development and community reinvestment activities. For more information visit www.OCIB.org.

OREGON

The OREGON BUSINESS EXPANSION AND RETENTION PROGRAM is a new tool that creates a state incentive available to existing companies expanding operations in Oregon or new companies coming in to the state. The program helps innovative, knowledge-based industry companies create more high-paying jobs in Oregon by helping to offset a company’s expansion costs with forgivable loans based on the anticipated increase in income tax revenue due the state from the new jobs created. The program is capitalized with Lottery Funds (up to $4 million for 2011-13 biennium). To be eligible, the company must plan to hire 50+ new employees in Oregon; have 150 or more employees at time of eligibility; have employee wages are 150 percent above state average or county average, whichever is less; and must be in a traded-sector industry (excludes retail businesses);

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS OF STATE SIGNIFICANCE: This new program sets up a process for identifying up to ten “regionally significant” industrial areas per biennium to further job creation. It also establishes an expedited review process and narrows the grounds for appeal. The intention is to protect those industrial lands with the potential for future economic development and job growth from conversion to residential or commercial zoning.

The MANUFACTURING BUSINESS ENERGY TAX CREDIT (BETC) (HB 2523) moves to Business Oregon in 2012. The manufacturing credit has been instrumental in growing Oregon’s expanding renewable energy industry. Oregon facilities that manufacture renewable energy resource equipment may be eligible for the credit, which has proven extremely valuable to offset the costs of large capital investments. Eligible costs may include the building, equipment and machinery and other costs used to manufacture equipment, machinery or products designed exclusively to use a renewable energy resource. The facilities are eligible for a tax credit of 50 percent of eligible costs, up to a maximum of $40 million in eligible costs for each phase of development. HB3672 extended the sunset dates to 2018 for a number of important incentive programs and tax credits that support a range of business development activities across the state. These extensions include: the state’s Research & Development Credit, Long-term Rural Enterprise Zones, Electronic-Commerce Zones, the Film and Video Credit, and Biomass credits. In addition, the Oregon Investment Advantage program was extended to July 1, 2016 for rural and distressed Oregon counties seeking to recruit traded sector company development. More info on these programs can be found here.

OREGON BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FUND (OBDF): A revolving loan fund that provides term fixed-rate financing for land, buildings, equipment, machinery and permanent working capital. Participants must create or retain jobs and must typically be a traded-sector business in manufacturing, processing or distribution. The program gives preference to projects located in rural and distressed areas and to small businesses with fewer than 100 employees. Loans have a maximum amount of $700,000; a maximum term and amortization of 20 years or the useful life of the project and/or collateral; a fixed interest rate of U.S. treasury Bills plus 1 percent APR (4 percent minimum APR); and a 1.5 percent loan origination fee.

OREGON CAPITAL ACCESS PROGRAM (CAP): Helps lenders (banks and credit unions) make more commercial loans to small businesses and provides capital for start-up or expansion. It is designed for non-profit and for-profit businesses seeking funds for most business purposes. All types of loans and lines of credit are eligible. Lenders build a loan-loss reserve each time they enroll a loan. Contributions to the loan-loss reserve account are matched by Oregon Capital Access Program. CAP loans have enrollment fees between 3 percent and 7 percent as determined by the financial institution; will receive a match on the enrollment fee of up to $35,000 per borrower; and have rates and terms for repayment determined by the lender.

OREGON CREDIT ENHANCEMENT FUND (CEF): A loan insurance program available to lenders to assist businesses in obtaining access to capital. The fund guarantees loans made by lenders providing working capital or fixed-asset loans to businesses. The program is available for traded-sector manufacturing, production, processing and distribution companies; can assist most business located in a designated distressed area; can assist businesses that are using proceeds to clean up a brownfield site; can include loans used for fixed assets, working capital or export financing; can insure term loans and lines of credit and; has an enrollment fee typically between 1.25 percent and 3.0 percent of the insured amount based on the term of the credit facility.

Loan guarantees are typically up to 80 percent of the loan amount, up to $2,000,000 exposure for term loans.

OREGON INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BONDS: Tax-exempt bonds issued by the state of Oregon, designed to help Oregon manufacturers grow. They finance job creation and business growth for Oregon traded-sector, value-added manufacturers and processors by providing long-term debt financing for land, buildings and other fixed assets at a rate below prime. Affordable interest rates and tax-exempt status assist in lowering capital expenses. The bonds generally provide the greatest benefit to the borrower for bonds of $5 million or more.

OREGON EXPRESS BOND PROGRAM: Uses much less paperwork and highly standardized documents to save borrowers time and money during the tax-exempt bond borrowing process. Business Oregon has selected a bond counsel firm with a pre-approved fee schedule. Express Bonds are placed with the borrower’s bank and may be feasible for financing smaller projects, particularly within the $500,000 to $5 million cost range.

ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND (EDLF): Provides direct loans to help start-ups, micro-enterprises and small businesses expand or become established in Oregon. This fund fills a niche not provided through traditional lending markets. Loans are a maximum amount of $50,000 with a maximum term and amortization of 5 years and a fixed interest rate of Prime plus 2 percent APR. Participants must meet one, or both, of the following criteria:

• have revenues of less than $500,000 in the previous 12 months or
• be a business owned by a severely disabled person.

BROWNFIELDS REDEVELOPMENT FUND: A Brownfield is property where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by actual or perceived environmental contamination. Oregon’s Brownfields Program is available to provide financing for the full range of environmental activities—assessment through cleanup—associated with Brownfields redevelopment. The department works with the OR Department of Environmental Quality to ensure that a project’s scope of work will achieve environmental compliance and meet the needs of the redevelopment project.

The BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OREGON SMALL BUSINESS TODAY (BOOST) FUND offers two independent resources, direct loans and grants, to small business owners in Oregon.

• The BOOST LOAN PROGRAM is a revolving loan fund that provides term fixed-rate financing for small businesses in need of operating capital. Loan proceeds may be used to support daily operations (i.e., rent or mortgage payments, utilities, marketing expenses, employee expenses, accounts receivable/payable, small equipment purchases, etc). Participants must be a small business with 100 or fewer employees and must be a traded-sector business in manufacturing, processing or distribution. A BOOST loan applicant will need to demonstrate a reasonable capacity to create or retain jobs, provide adequate collateral for the loan and demonstrate a reasonable prospect of repayment.
• The BOOST GRANT PROGRAM will award and make grants as an incentive to Oregon businesses that create new, full-time jobs in Oregon. Applicants must be businesses with 100 or fewer employees, must create and retain new full-time jobs for a period of at least 6 months, must be a traded-sector business in manufacturing, processing or distribution, and must demonstrate that comparable wages are provided to their employees. Up to $2,500 may be awarded to an applicant for each full time job created and retained with an annual maximum of $50,000 per applicant in a calendar year.

TAX INCENTIVES

Oregon offers globally competitive tax incentives to help encourage businesses to locate in Oregon, and existing Oregon businesses to grow and prosper.

• ENTERPRISE ZONES (EZs): In exchange for locating or expanding in an enterprise zone, businesses receive exemption from local property taxes on new plant and equipment for at least three years (but up to five years) in the standard program. In addition, some zones can offer special incentives for investments in long-term rural facilities or electronic commerce operations.

• The OREGON INVESTMENT ADVANTAGE: This income tax exemption program helps businesses start or locate in a number of Oregon counties by providing a multi-year deduction for all income-based taxes related to the new business operations, potentially eliminating state business tax liability during that multi-year period.

• STRATEGIC INVESTMENT PROGRAM: Exempts a portion of very large capital investments from property taxes. The program is available statewide.

• RESEARCH TAX CREDITS: Corporate tax credit for qualified research and basic research conducted in Oregon, as a state-level extension of federal R&D tax credits.

• CONSTRUCTION-IN-PROCESS: With timely filing for each of up to two years, unfinished improvements to a business facility may be exempt from local property taxes statewide. (In an EZ, most authorized business firms can receive essentially the same but somewhat broader tax abatement using another form.)

• EMPLOYER-PROVIDED DEPENDENT CARE TAX CREDIT: A 50 percent credit for the annual cost of assisting employees with childcare and similar needs.

• FILM & VIDEO INCENTIVES: Oregon offers a host of incentive programs for film and video productions taking place in the state. Incentive programs rebate:

o 20 percent of the production’s Oregon-based goods and services
o An additional cash payment of up to 16.2 percent of wages paid to production personnel

Unlike other states’ programs, these incentives are cash rebates as opposed to tax credits. This simplifies and speeds up the rebate process.

RENEWABLE ENERGY INCENTIVES

• BUSINESS ENERGY TAX CREDIT: Offered by Business Oregon to companies that invest in renewable energy-related manufacturing.

• RURAL RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT ZONES: A three to five year exemption from property taxes on new investments in wind energy farms, biofuel production and other eligible projects in a designated county.

• STATE ENERGY LOAN PROGRAM (SELP): For renewable energy, including manufacturing facilities. Loans have been as short as 10 years and as long as 30 years, depending on the borrower’s need and financial situation, and have been as large as $20 million. The Oregon Department of Energy finances these low-interest loans through the issuance of state general obligation bonds.

A complete list of incentives and business climate information can be found at www.Oregon4biz.com/The-Oregon-Advantage/

PENNSYLVANIA

DISCOVERED AND DEVELOPED IN PA PROGRAM (D2PA): Grant established to build capacity to better support Pennsylvania businesses and to spur creativity and innovation in the provision of economic development services. Eligible uses include: Reasonable salary/personnel expenses; Consultant fees relating to approved programmatic activities; land/building/equipment improvements; Meeting/travel expenses; Costs associated with preparation and publishing of educational/marketing materials. Eligible applicants are private and public sector entities whose mission includes economic development. Competitive projects will include ongoing or innovative new activities, programs or events to promote entrepreneurship, encourage technology transfer, improve capacity building for regional economic development or provide outreach to businesses.

PENNSYLVANIA FIRST: A grant, loan, loan-guarantee funding tool to facilitate increased investment and job creation within the Commonwealth. Eligible applicants include businesses, or IDCs, municipalities or authorities on behalf of businesses, which will create or preserve a significant number of jobs, make a large investment and offer substantial economic impact, either for the Commonwealth as a whole or for the locality or region in which a business will locate or expand. Funds can be used for machinery/equipment; job training; infrastructure; land and building improvements; environmental assessment/remediation; acquisition of land, buildings and right-of-ways; working capital; site preparation, demolition and clearance.

KEYSTONE INNOVATION ZONE TAX CREDIT PROGRAM: Provides tax credits to for-profit companies less than eight years old operating within specific targeted industries within the boundaries of a Keystone Innovation Zone (KIZ) Program. Tax credits must be applied against the tax liability of a KIZ company for the tax year in which the KIZ Tax Credit was issued. A KIZ company may claim a tax credit equal to 50 percent of the increase in that KIZ Company’s gross revenues in the immediately preceding taxable year attributable to activities in the KIZ, over the KIZ Company’s gross revenues in the second preceding taxable year attributable to its activities in the KIZ. The KIZ Tax Credit is limited to $100,000 annually per KIZ company. Applications must be submitted on or before September 15 of each year.

ALTERNATIVE & CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAM: Administered jointly by the Dept. of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and the Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP), under the direction of the Commonwealth Financing Authority, it provides financial assistance in the form of grant and loan funds that will be used by eligible applicants for the utilization, development and construction of alternative and clean energy projects in the Commonwealth.

• Loans for manufacturers of alternative and/or clean energy generation equipment or components shall not exceed $35,000 for every new job created within three years after approval of the loan. Loans for any alternative energy production or clean energy project shall not exceed $5 million or 50 percent of the total project cost, whichever is less.
• Grants for manufacturers of alternative and/or clean energy generation equipment or components shall not exceed $10,000 for every job projected to be created by the business within three years after approval of the grant. Grants for any alternative energy production or clean energy project shall not exceed $2 million or 50 percent of the total project cost, whichever is less.

BEN FRANKLIN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (BFTDA):

• BFTDA VENTURE INVESTMENT PROGRAM: Investment in venture capital partnerships investing in early-stage PA technology companies. Venture capital partnerships and angel investment groups are eligible. Funding is variable.
• BFTDA TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT GRANT: Grants to help groups or consortia of Pennsylvania companies position themselves at the cutting edge of emerging technologies and establish a competitive advantage through the use of advanced e-business systems. Not-for-profit organizations and Community groups are eligible. Funding is variable.
• BFTDA ALTERNATIVE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (AEDP): Provides funds to businesses through the four Ben Franklin Technology Partners for access to capital, business expertise, technology commercialization services to advance the development of new technologies and for the generation, conservation and transportation of alternative and clean energy. The BFTDA Centers receive funding to award to entrepreneurs, start-up & early-stage companies, established companies, investors, higher education & research and BFTP alumni companies.

BUILDING PA: Provides $150 million in funding for the development of real estate assets within the Commonwealth to be matched by private investors and foundations looking to facilitate projects within the Commonwealth. The resulting $300 million fund will provide mezzanine capital for developers seeking to redevelop and revitalize real estate assets in small to mid-sized PA communities. By creating a public/private partnership, this $300 million account will allow Pennsylvania to stimulate the marketplace, and close more deals. The goal is to encourage the undertaking of more projects, while creating a fund that will sustain itself for years to come.

BUSINESS IN OUR SITES GRANTS & LOANS: A $300 million statewide loan and grant pool, created by the issuance of bonds. This money will be made available to communities statewide to help them develop shovel-ready sites to accommodate expanding businesses, thus building the local and regional economy and ultimately creating jobs. Emphasis will be given to communities that lack the resources necessary to invest in site preparation. Funds may be used to acquire land, conduct environmental assessment and remediation and perform demolition. The funds may also be used for site preparation activities and installation of infrastructure, including but not limited to, sewer, water, storm water, utilities and telecommunications, both on site and as needed to bring service to the site. They may also be used for access roads or other necessary on-site and off-site transportation improvements. These include rail, costs associated with engineering, legal and other professional services; and any other activities necessary to make a specific site ready for reuse.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FUND (BOF): Installment loans, lines of credit and technical assistance for minority business enterprises, women-owned business enterprises and small businesses. There are no minimum or maximum loan sizes and funds may be used for cash flow (working capital), equipment, leasehold improvements and acquisition of owner-occupied real estate.

COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOAN PROGRAM: Low-interest loans for projects in distressed communities. Loans are available up to $100,000 or 50 percent of total eligible project cost (whichever is less), and can be used for land and building acquisition; building, construction and renovation; machinery and equipment acquisition and installation; and working capital. For-profit small businesses (100 employees or less) that are located in a DCED designated distressed community or Keystone Opportunity Zone are eligible.

CUSTOMIZED JOB TRAINING PROGRAM (CJT): Grants up to 75 percent of the eligible costs for training new or incumbent employees. Trainees must be residents of PA, employed in PA and must earn more than 150 percent of current minimum wage. Manufacturing, industrial, agricultural enterprises, R&D, advanced technology and business service firms (no point of sale/retail) are eligible.

DIGITAL & ROBOTIC TECHNOLOGY: The Technology Collaborative (TTC) was formed in 2005 through the merger of the Pittsburgh Digital Greenhouse and the Robotics Foundry. TCC is a statewide economic development organization whose mission is to help increase PA’s technology-based economy through the development of collaborative industry clusters that leverage the region’s world-class assets in advanced electronics, cyber security and robotics. It helps to create an ideal environment for business expansion through leverage of the region’s high-tech base, along with resources and support from local universities, private foundations, regional development organizations, federal, state and local government, and industry. As a member-driven initiative, TTC delivers high-value-add programs and services that start-up and expansion businesses need such as collaborative research, education and training, extensive business support, networking opportunities and employee recruitment services.

EDUCATIONAL IMPROVEMENT TAX CREDIT PROGRAM (EITC): Tax credits to eligible businesses contributing to a Scholarship Organization, an Educational Improvement Organization and/or a Pre-Kindergarten Scholarship Organization. Tax credits equal to 75 percent of its contribution up to a maximum of $300,000 per taxable year—can be increased to 90 percent of the contribution, if business agrees to provide same amount for two consecutive tax years. For contributions to Pre-Kindergarten Scholarship Organizations a business may receive a tax credit equal to 100 percent of the first $10,000 contributed and up to 90 percent of the remaining amount contributed up to a maximum credit of $150,000 annually.

EXPORT FINANCING PROGRAM: Funding for small business for export activities. Maximum loan amount is $350,000. For-profit businesses with no more than 250 full-time employees exporting products manufactured or assembled at facilities located in PA or for services that originate from facilities located in PA are eligible.

FILM TAX CREDIT PROGRAM: $60 million in tax credits is available in an effort to expand the activity of film, television and other production companies in the state. A project is eligible if at least 60 percent of the project’s total production budget is used for Qualified Pennsylvania production expenses. The amount of tax credits available is equal to 25 percent of Qualified Pennsylvania production expenses for the project.

FIRST INDUSTRIES FUND: Administered by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) and the Dept. of Community and Economic Development, it is a loan, loan guarantee and grant program aimed at strengthening PA’s agriculture and tourism industries. Uses include:

• Loans and Loan guarantees – land and building acquisition and construction, machinery and equipment purchase and upgrades and working capital
• Grants – planning and predevelopment activities.

GLOBAL ACCESS PROGRAM (GAP): Designed to enhance the capability of small and mid-sized PA companies to increase export sales, it is a valuable tool available to qualifying companies seeking financial assistance and foreign market entry support. The 1:1 matching grant has a maximum annual award of $5,000 per company. Valid uses include overseas trade show participation, overseas trade mission participation, foreign market sales trip and subscription to US DOC services.

GUARANTEED FREE TRAINING PROGRAM (GFT-WEDnetPA): Basic skills (up to $450 per trainee and $75,000 per company) and IT training (up to $850 per trainee and $50,000 per company) for eligible employees of new and expanding businesses. Trainees must be PA residents, employed in PA, permanent fulltime employees and earn at least 150 percent of current federal minimum wage. Basic Skills: must be front-line employee or first level supervisor. Information Technology: must be technical worker, ITT professional or front-line employee/first level supervisor of a manufacturing company who is limited to receiving advanced applied manufacturing training only. See at www.wednetpa.com

HIGH PERFORMANCE BUILDING PROGRAM: Provides financial assistance in the form of grants and loan funds to underwrite the cost premiums associated with the design and construction or major renovation of high performance buildings in the Commonwealth. Loans for high performance building projects for small businesses shall not exceed $2 million. Grants for high performance building projects shall not exceed $500,000 or 10 percent of the total eligible building construction/renovation costs (whichever is less). Grants shall not exceed $2 million for a small business and have a term of not more than five years. There is a matching investment requirement of at least $1 for every $1 of program funds awarded.

INNOVATION GRANT (IG): Provides funding to encourage the technology transfer and commercialization of intellectual property between Pennsylvania’s technology-oriented businesses and entrepreneurs and academic medical institutions, non-profit research institutions and Pennsylvania Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) with preference given to Keystone Innovation Zone-participating IHEs. It is a companion program to the Keystone Innovation Zone (KIZ) program. Each Grant request may not exceed $100,000 and must be matched dollar-for-dollar by resources other than the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Grants to IHEs, academic medical centers and non-profit research institutions are to facilitate technology transfer, including patent filings, technology licensing, intellectual property and royalty agreements and other designated resource needs.

JOB CREATION TAX CREDITS (JCTC): A $1,000-per-job tax credit to approved businesses that agree to create at least 25 new jobs (or expand the existing workforce by at least 20 percent) within three years; 25 percent of the tax credits allocated each year must go to businesses with less than 100 employees. Tax credits may not be utilized by a business until the jobs are actually created.

MARKETING TO ATTRACT TOURISTS: Provides funding to support and develop heritage assets, enhance outdoor recreation and support the growth or development of various events. A primary goal of the program is to promote overnight stays. Applicants should, as part of the project narrative, explain how their project will meet this goal. Non-profit organizations with a significant interest in the development of tourism product that provides a visitor experience to a tourist region, destination and/or attractions are eligible to apply. Funds may be used to support events, facility enhancements, new construction and/or renovations or for the development of marketing, advertising and public relations campaigns to build attendance.

NEIGHBORHOOD ASSISTANCE/ENTERPRISE ZONE TAX CREDIT (NAP/EZP): Provides tax credits to private companies investing in rehabilitating, expanding or improving buildings or land located within designated enterprise zones. Uses include real property improvements such as rehab, expansion or physical improvements to buildings or land resulting in jobs created or retained. Tax credits equal 25 percent of amount invested, up to $500,000 total tax credits per project.

PENNSYLVANIA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FINANCING (PEDFA):

• PEDFA TAX EXEMPT BOND PROGRAM – Tax-exempt and taxable bonds, both in pooled transactions and stand-alone transactions, to be used to finance land, building, equipment, working capital and refinancing. Loans are no less than $400,000 and no more than $10 million for manufacturers (with no upper limit for other projects)—up to 100 percent of project costs. Eligible businesses include manufacturing, nonprofit 501(c) (3), energy, solid waste disposal, wastewater treatment, transportation facilities, and assisted living/housing
• PEDFA TAXABLE BOND PROGRAM – Tax-exempt and taxable bonds, both in pooled transactions and stand-alone transactions, to be used to finance land, building, equipment, working capital and refinancing. Loans no less than $400,000; up to 100 percent of project costs

PENNSYLVANIA SMALL BUSINESS CREDIT INITIATIVE: Designed to increase access to credit for small businesses. The Commonwealth will deploy Small Business Credit Initiative funds through existing DCED programs to partner organizations and the Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund (MELF). Uses include land and building acquisition, building renovation and new construction, machinery and equipment acquisition and installation, infrastructure and working capital. Loans are up to $5,000,000 and all types of businesses having 500 employees or less are eligible.

SMALL BUSINESS FIRST: Funding for small businesses, including low-interest loan financing for land and building acquisition and construction, machinery and equipment purchases and working capital. Loans are up to $200,000 or 50 percent of total eligible project costs, whichever is less; maximum loan amount for working capital is $100,000 or 50 percent of total eligible project costs, whichever is less.

RHODE ISLAND

The JOBS GROWTH ACT allows eligible businesses in any industry to offer their employees an exclusion of 50 percent of performance-based compensation from their Rhode Island gross income. In return, the company pays a 5 percent tax each year on the performance-based income paid that year. In order to qualify, a company must hire 100 new employees in the state and add at least $10 million to its state payroll. Those new workers must earn at least 125 percent o the state’s annual average compensation. Employees must be hired or relocated after June 1, 2005 and cannot have been previously employed by the company. The tax cut applies only to bonus or incentive income, not base salary.

Created in 2010, the JOB CREATION GUARANTY PROGRAM authorizes the RIEDC to support critical economic development projects by helping innovative small businesses gain access to private growth capital and credit. The program helps companies with primarily “soft” assets like patents, intellectual properties and licenses expand and create jobs in Rhode Island. Under the program, the RIEDC may provide credit enhancement on bonds or loans privately placed with capital providers and banks. The net proceeds of the bonds would provide the necessary financing to capitalize a company’s growth and expansion in Rhode Island. The state would use its “moral obligation” authority to guarantee debt service payments to the bondholders or lenders.

JOBS DEVELOPMENT ACT (Corporate Income Tax Reduction for Job Creation): Provides an incremental reduction in the corporate income tax rate (currently 9 percent) to companies that create new employment in Rhode Island over a three year period. The reduction equals:

• A quarter percentage point (0.25 percent) for every 10 new jobs created, for those companies having a baseline employment below 100; or
• A quarter percentage point (0.25 percent) for every 50 new jobs created, for those companies having a baseline employment above 100.

The corporate income tax may be reduced to as low as 3 percent. The rate reduction is permanent as long as the company maintains the same level of employment that it had at the end of the third year following the company’s self-selected base period. New employees must be paid at least 250 percent of the state minimum wage (current state minimum wage is $7.40/ hour.). This benefit is subject to a finding of revenue neutrality and vote of the RIEDC Board.

NATURAL DISASTER REBUILDING: Manufacturers who have lost 60 percent or more of their facilities due to a natural disaster, resulting in the inability of active employees to continue production, may qualify for corporate income tax rate reductions under the Jobs Development Act for jobs retained or added. Damaged businesses may also qualify for a sales tax exemption on reconstruction materials that are not reimbursed by insurance.

HIRING OF UNEMPLOYED OR LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS: A tax credit of 40 percent of a newly-hired employee’s first year wages (up to a maximum of $2,400) is allowed for individuals or businesses that employ and retain RI residents who were previously unemployed or receiving public assistance. Cannot be taken against the taxpayers personal income tax. The business must seek certification of the employee’s unemployment status from the Department of Labor and Training within 30 days of hire. Each eligible employee must:

• have been a Rhode Island resident for at least 52 consecutive weeks prior to the date of hire; and
• previously unemployed for at least 26 consecutive calendar weeks immediately prior to the date of hire; and
• either: (1) received public assistance for at least one year preceding the date of hire or (2) have received unemployment benefits from RI or any other state at any time during the 52 weeks prior to the date of hire.

JOB TRAINING & EDUCATION

• The JOB TRAINING TAX CREDIT grants a credit against the corporate income tax (or the insurance premium tax in the case of insurance companies) equal to 50 percent of the actual training spending, whether for new or existing employees, by companies in accordance with an approved training plan. Plans must be filed with the Rhode Island Human Resources Investment Council for approval prior to the training. The credit allowed is capped at $5,000 for each employee in any three-year period.

• JOB TRAINING GRANTS: Rhode Island offers a unique Human Resources Investment Council training program for business and industry funded through a job development assessment of 0.15 percent on the firm’s taxable payroll to $18,200 per employee. This pool of money is available for industry to create customized training programs tailored specifically for a company and free from restrictions imposed by federally funded programs.

• ADULT EDUCATION TAX CREDIT (RIGL 44-46): Available for Rhode Island companies filed as a C-corporation, it allows for a tax credit of 50 percent of the direct costs for worksite and non-worksite based vocational training or basic education, up to a maximum of $300 per employee. The maximum overall credit is $5,000 per employer per calendar year. The employee must remain employed by the business for 13 consecutive weeks and a minimum of 455 hours of paid employment before the credit can be claimed. Credits cannot be carried forward.

• EMPLOYER’S APPRENTICESHIP TAX CREDIT: Employers of registered full-time apprentices in the metal and plastic industries are eligible for an annual corporate tax credit of 50 percent of the actual wages paid to the qualifying apprentice, or $4,800, whichever is less. The number of apprenticeships for which tax credit is allowed must exceed the average number of apprenticeships begun during the five preceding income years. Eligible trades: machinist, toolmaker, model-maker, gage maker, pattern-maker, plastic process technician, tool & machine setter, die-sinker, mold-maker, tool & die maker, machine tool repair.

• EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE & DEVELOPMENT CREDIT: Under RIGL 44-42, a contribution to a Rhode Island institution of higher education is allowed a tax credit of 8 percent for the amount above $10,000. The contribution, which can include qualified tangible personal property, must be for the establishment or maintenance of a faculty chair, department, work fellowship or program of scientific research or education. The credit is applied against the Corporate Income tax, the Bank Excise tax or the Insurance Companies tax. Unused credits may be carried forward up to five years.

ENTERPRISE ZONE BUSINESS TAX CREDIT: Firms that locate in a state designated enterprise zone and increase employment at registered enterprise zone locations by at least 5 percent annually may be eligible for a state business tax credit equal to 75 percent of the total wages paid to employees living in an enterprise zone or 50 percent of wages paid to workers not living in an enterprise zone. The maximum credit is $5,000 per resident new hire and $2,500 per non-enterprise zone new hire. All new hires must be RI residents and the jobs must be classified as full-time. Earned but unused enterprise zone credits may be carried forward for up to three years.

FOREIGN TRADE ZONE 105: A specially designated area in or adjacent to a U.S. Customs Port of Entry, but which considered to be outside the Customs territory of the United States. FTZ # 105, originally designated in 1984 and expanded in 1997, consists of three different geographic locations in the state of Rhode Island:

• 32 acres at the Port of Providence, a 185-acre commercial and industrial inter-modal facility owned and operated by Waterson Terminal Services, LLC;
• A 43-acre area at the Airport Business Park adjacent to T.F. Green Airport in Warwick, Rhode Island and;
• The Quonset Business Park, an 880-acre area within the EDC’s premier 3000-acre Quonset Business Park in North Kingstown, RI. Its strategic location, situated between New York and Boston and at the entrance of Narragansett Bay, provides one of the best deep-water ocean ports on the East Coast. Major cargo arriving at the port includes automobiles, quarried stone, seafood products and general cargo. The Port offers three major piers with over 6,800 lineal feet of deep water dockage.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT: Buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places or which are located within a National Register Historic District (and contribute to the district’s significance, or if it is part of a local historic district) are eligible. The credit equals 30 percent of the cost of approved rehabilitation work. Exterior and interior rehab qualifies as long as the work meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitating Historic Properties. Eligible projects include work on the roof, exterior walls, windows, foundations, structure, heating, plumbing, electrical system and interior improvements that are capitalized to the building. In order to qualify, the project must cost at least half the value of the building (50 percent of adjusted basis). The entire credit may be claimed when the project is completed.

The state tax credits may be combined with federal tax credits for historic preservation and affordable housing. Unused portions of the credit may be taken over a 10-year period. Also, the owner does not have to use the credit him/herself, but instead can sell the credit to another individual or to a corporation. Non-profit owners can qualify for the credit and assign or sell it to a tax-paying partner or investor.

INDUSTRIAL REVENUE BONDS may be used to finance qualified commercial and industrial projects. The bonds offer a competitive interest rate and state sales tax exemption on building materials, which may be significant for projects involving new construction. Financing is available through the Rhode Island Industrial Facilities Corporation and covers the entire project cost. The project and the credit of the user provide the security for the bonds, which may be issued on the financial strength of the user when the user is appropriately rated. The bonds may also be issued with an enhancement letter of credit from a financial institution.

TAX-EXEMPT “SMALL ISSUE BONDS”: interest on certain bonds with face amounts of less than $10 million is excluded from income if at least 95 percent of the bonds proceeds is used to finance manufacturing facilities. Industrial revenue bonds are tax-exempt obligations of the issuer, the interest on which is exempt from federal and state income tax. The interest rate on such obligations is normally below that available for conventional mortgages.

SMALL BUSINESS INCENTIVES

• THE SMALL BUSINESS LOAN FUND (SBLF) provides partial funding for expansion projects that will benefit Rhode Island’s economy by encouraging business development. The program makes loans available with attractive terms for nonspeculative ventures involving the following types of capital investment: acquiring land; purchasing machinery or equipment; constructing new buildings and facilities; providing working capital.

• SMALL BUSINESS CAPITAL INVESTMENT TAX INCENTIVES: Small business entities or venture capital partnerships that are certified by the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation may be eligible for two types of special incentives:

o Deductions or Modifications: The deduction or modification is equal to the taxpayer’s qualifying investment in a certified venture capital partnership or equal to the entrepreneur’s investment in a qualifying business entity. Restrictions prohibit the deduction of modification from reducing the business corporation tax, public service corporation tax or bank excise tax to less than the minimum tax. This tax credit cannot be taken against a taxpayers personal income tax. The amount of unused deductions or modifications may not be carried over to following years.

o Capital Gains Exclusion: The calculation of the business corporation tax, public service corporation tax, or bank excise tax may exclude long term capital gains from sale or exchange of an interest in a qualifying business entity or certified venture capital partnership if: (1) it is recognized by a partner in a certified venture capital partnership from the sale or exchange of an interest in the partnership, or (2) it is a partner’s distributive share (from a certified venture capital partnership) of a long term capital gain recognized by the partnership from the sale or exchange of an interest in a qualifying business entity; or (3) it is recognized by an entrepreneur from the sale or exchange of an interest in a qualifying business entity. Taxpayers must provide proof of the date and amount of the investment in the qualifying business entity or certified venture capital partnership.

• DISABLED ACCESS CREDIT FOR SMALL BUSINESS: A tax credit of up to $1,000 is available to small businesses— one that, for the preceding year, had 30 or fewer full-time employees, or $1 million or less in gross receipts—that incur expenses in complying with federal or state laws protecting the rights of persons with disabilities. The credit is equal to 10 percent of the total amount expended up for removing architectural, communication, physical or transportation barriers; providing qualified interpreters or other effective methods of delivering aurally delivered materials to persons with hearing impairments; providing readers, tapes, or other effective means of making visually delivered materials available to persons with visual impairments; providing job coaches or other effective means of supporting workers with sever impairments in competitive employment; providing specialized transportation services to employees or customers with mobility impairments; buying or modifying equipment for persons with disabilities; and providing similar services, modifications, material or equipment for persons with disabilities.

CHILD & ADULT DAYCARE TAX CREDIT: A Rhode Island taxpayer that purchases or provides for adult or child day care services for adult family members or dependent children of the taxpayer’s employees or to employees of its commercial tenants is allowed a tax credit in the amount of:

• 25 percent of the total amount expended during the taxable year for services purchased and 25 percent of the total amount expended during the taxable year for the establishment and/or operation of a day care facility by the taxpayer alone or in conjunction with others. Credits may not exceed the Rhode Island tax liability.
• 30 percent of the total amount foregone in rent/lease payments related to the dedication of rental/lease space to day care services. The amount forgone shall be the difference between fair market rental and actual rental. The maximum credit allowed is $30,000 and unused credit may be carried forward five years.
• Credits for child daycare require confirmation that the facility agrees to accept children for whom the services are paid by Rhode Department of Human Services.

MOTION PICTURE PRODUCTION TAX CREDIT: A transferable 25 percent tax credit against the corporate or personal income tax for all certified costs (including salaries) associated with Rhode Island primary locations of feature-length film, video, video games, television series or commercial. There are no caps on the amount of certified costs that are eligible for the credit. A “primary location” means the locations within which at least 51 percent of the motion picture principal photography days are filmed. Unused credits can be carried forward for up to three years. Must have a minimum budget of $300,000.

INNOVATION TAX CREDIT: Encourages investment in high-growth, high-wage innovation industries. Investors can receive up to a 50 percent credit with a maximum tax credit of $100,000. To be eligible, a company must produce traded goods or services, have annual gross revenues of less than $1 million in the prior two calendar years and be categorized as one of the following innovation industries: Biotechnology and Life Sciences; Communication and IT; Financial Services; Marine and Defense Manufacturing; Professional, Technical and Educational Services; Industrial and Consumer Product Manufacturing and Design. The credit may be carried forward for a period not to exceed three years. Companies must apply for the credit prior to making an investment. Once an application is approved, the company has up to 12 months to make the investment and provide proof of investment back to the EDC board of directors. Upon completion of this process, EDC will certify the investor’s eligibility for the credit with the Rhode Island Division of Taxation.

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

• A 22.5 percent RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT TAX CREDIT is allowed for increases in qualified research expenses—the highest rate in America. If the increase above base period expenditures exceeds $111,111, the credit equals 16.9 percent of the excess. The credit is available against a corporations business tax. Unused credit may be carried forward for up to seven years. A taxpayer is allowed 10 percent tax credit for expenditures paid or incurred during the taxable year for the construction, reconstruction, erection or acquisition of any property that is used or to be used for the purpose of R&D in the experimental or laboratory sense. The property must be depreciable and have a useful life of three years or more.

• R&D PROPERTY CREDIT: A taxpayer is allowed a 10 percent tax credit for expenditures paid or incurred for the construction, reconstruction or acquisition of any property which is principally used or to be used for R&D in the experimental or laboratory sense. Leased property is not eligible. The property must be depreciable and have a useful life of three years or more. This credit is available Rhode Island companies filed as a C-corporation. Unused credit may be carried forward for up to seven years.

• ELECTIVE DEDUCTION FOR R&D FACILITIES: In lieu of depreciation or the investment tax credit, a taxpayer is allowed a one year write-off for expenditures paid or incurred during the taxable year for the construction, reconstruction or acquisition of all qualifying depreciable tangible property, including buildings, which is used or to be used for the purpose of R&D in the experimental or laboratory sense. The deduction is allowed under the corporate income tax.

• R&D SALES TAX EXEMPTIONS: Sales or use of scientific equipment, computers, software and related items to a qualifying firm to be used predominantly for R&D purposes are exempt from Rhode Island Sales and Use Tax.

MANUFACTURING INCENTIVES

• MANUFACTURING INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT: A manufacturer is allowed a 4 percent tax credit against the Rhode Island corporate income tax on buildings and structural components, as well as machinery and equipment, which are owned or leased and are principally used in the production process (including storage). Property principally used for administration and distribution purposes is not eligible. The investment tax credit may not reduce the taxpayer’s liability below the minimum business tax. Unused credits may be carried forward for up to seven years.

• HIGH PERFORMANCE MANUFACTURING INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT: High-performance manufacturers are allowed a 10 percent investment tax credit against their corporate tax on the cost or qualified lease amounts for tangible personal property or other tangible property, as well as buildings and structural components owned, leased to own, or leased for at least 20 years. Under current law, credits are transferable between related entities. Unused credits may be carried forward up to 15 years for biotechnology firms and up to seven years for other types of manufacturers. The firm must be in SIC codes 28, 30, 34 to 36, or SIC 38, and the employer’s median annual wage paid to its full-time equivalent employees must be greater than the average annual wage paid by all RI employers in the same two-digit SIC. In addition, the company must meet at least one (1) of the following three criteria:

o The employer’s median annual wage paid to its full-time equivalent employees is greater than or equal to 125 percent of the average annual wage paid by all employers in the state, or

o The average annual wage paid to the employer’s full-time equivalent employees classified as production workers (defined by the Department of Labor and Training) is greater than the average annual wage paid to all production workers in the state in the same two-digit SIC Code; or

o The firm invests at least 2 percent of total payroll costs in worker training or retraining.

• BUSINESS INCOME APPORTIONMENT FOR MANUFACTURERS: Affiliated multi-state corporations may file single, separate state corporate tax returns or file a consolidated return. In either case, the corporate net income/net worth is subject to RI apportionment using the average of a three-factor formula (property, receipts, and payroll). For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2005, the alternate apportionment formula allows for a 25 percent property factor, a 25 percent payroll factor and a 50 percent receipts factor.

• APPORTIONMENT EXCLUSION FOR MEDICAL & PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURERS: A Rhode Island manufacturer of Medical Instruments, Supplies or Pharmaceuticals whose facility is registered and certified by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration may modify the RI business income apportionment formula for the current tax year.

o The property value portion in the numerator may be reduced by the increase in book value of tangible personal property in Rhode Island in the current taxable year over the previous year.

o The wage value portion in the numerator may be reduced by the increase in total qualified payroll in Rhode Island in the current taxable year over the previous year.

• ACCELERATED AMORTIZATION FOR DEFENSE INDUSTRY MANUFACTURERS: Qualified corporations which have annually produced goods worth at least $10,000,000 at facilities located in RI, over a period of five consecutive years, may accelerate the amortization of depreciation of their depreciable assets over a five year period if an average of at least 80 percent of that production has been for sale to a branch of the U.S. Armed Services. The company must anticipate the need to reduce its reliance on such sales in order to qualify.

INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT: NON-MANUFACTURING FIRMS: Firms in certain non-manufacturing industries are also able to take the 10 percent investment tax credit on owned or leased tangible personal property and other tangible property placed in service on or after January 1, 1998. The credit is not allowed on buildings, structural components, motor vehicles and furniture for non-manufacturing firms. The investment tax credit may not reduce the taxpayer’s liability below 50 percent of the taxpayer’s total tax liability before credits for that year. Unused credits may be carried forward up to seven years.

RENEWABLE ENERGY FUND: Provides grants, loans and other financing for renewable energy projects that produce electricity in a cleaner, more sustainable manner and stimulate job growth in Rhode Island’s economy. The REF provides incentives for the following activities:

• Business, commercial and institutional projects;
• Affordable housing developments;
• Municipal renewable energy projects;
• Technical and feasibility studies.

SOUTH CAROLINA

The JOB TAX CREDIT is a statutory incentive offered to companies, both existing and new, that create new jobs in South Carolina. The credit is available to companies that establish or expand manufacturing, distribution, processing, warehousing, research and development, corporate office, tourism and technology intensive facilities. Agribusiness operations are eligible effective January 1, 2011. In certain limited instances, service and retail facilities may also be eligible. The company must create a monthly average of 10 net new full-time jobs at the facility in a single taxable year. If a company has fewer than 99 employees worldwide, it may be eligible for a job tax credit if it creates a monthly average of two or more net new full-time jobs in a single taxable year. In most instances, companies can expect to receive from $1,500 to $8,000 per job depending on the development tier of the county. Credits can be used to offset up to 50 percent of South Carolina income tax in a single year, and unused credits may be carried forward for 15 years.

SINGLE FACTOR SALES APPORTIONMENT: Companies whose primary business in the state is manufacturing, distribution, or selling or dealing in tangible personal property will apportion its income by multiplying the net income remaining after allocation by a fraction consisting of a company’s sales made in South Carolina divided by its total number of sales. This new formula eliminates property and payroll from the equation and is advantageous for a company whose majority of sales occurs outside South Carolina. The new method is being phased in over a five-year period with a 20 percent reduction each year of income attributable to South Carolina which began in 2007. In 2011, the new formula will be fully applicable.

SALES TAX EXEMPTION: South Carolina offers a number of sales tax exemptions for manufacturers including manufacturing production machinery and applicable repair parts; manufacturing materials that become an integral part of the finished product; industrial electricity and other fuels used in manufacturing tangible personal property; research and development equipment; manufacturers’ air, water and noise pollution control equipment; material handling equipment for manufacturing or distribution projects investing $35 million or more; packaging materials; long distance telecommunication services, including 800 services; and parts and supplies used to repair or condition aircraft owned or leased by the federal government or commercial air carriers. An exemption for construction materials used in manufacturing or distribution facilities, investing at least $100 million over 18 months, was fully implemented July 1, 2011.

PRE-JOB TRAINING PROGRAM: The readysc™ program, offered through the S.C. Technical College System, provides pre-job training at little or no cost for eligible new or expanding companies with curricula tailored to meet a company’s workforce requirements. The comprehensive program includes recruiting, screening, testing, developing customized instruction material along with coordinating and upfitting training space.

JOB DEVELOPMENT CREDIT (JDC): A discretionary, performance-based incentive that rebates a portion of new employees’ withholding taxes that can be used to address the specific needs of individual companies. A company must meet certain business requirements and the amount a company receives depends on the company’s pay structure and location.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SET-ASIDE PROGRAM: Assists companies in locating or expanding in South Carolina through road or site improvements and other costs related to business location or expansion. Overseen by the Coordinating Council for Economic Development, it is the Council’s primary business development tool for assisting local governments with road, water/sewer infrastructure or site improvements related to business location or expansion.

ENTERPRISE ZONE RETRAINING PROGRAM: Helps existing industries maintain their competitive edge and retain their existing workforce by allowing them to claim a Retraining Credit for existing production employees. If approved, companies can reimburse themselves up to 50 percent of approved training costs for eligible production workers (not to exceed $500 per person per year).

RURAL INFRASTRUCTUR FUND (RIF): Assists qualified counties in the state’s rural areas by providing financial assistance for infrastructure and other activities that enhance economic growth and development. It can be used for job creation and/or product development. Qualified counties are designated as “Tier III” or “Tier IV” by the Department of Revenue and have received approval for an economic development strategic plan by the Coordinating Council for Economic Development.

PORT VOLUME INCREASE CREDIT: A possible credit against income taxes or withholding taxes to entities that use state port facilities and increase base port cargo volume by 5 percent over base-year totals. To qualify, a company must have 75 net tons of non-containerized cargo or 10 loaded TEUs transported through a SC port for their base year. The total amount of tax credits allowed to all qualifying companies is limited to $8 million per calendar year.

TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT GRANT: Supports new or expanding tourism or recreation facilities or designated development areas primarily through infrastructure projects. This program is generated from a share of the state admissions tax on qualified tourism and recreation establishments and is overseen by the Coordinating Council for Economic Development.

The COORDINATING COUNCIL FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT was established by the General Assembly in response to a general need for improved coordination of economic development efforts by those state agencies involved in the recruitment of new business and the expansion of current enterprises throughout the state.

ECONOMIC IMPACT ZONE INVESTMENT CREDIT: Allows manufacturers locating in Economic Impact Zone (EIZ) counties a one-time credit against a company’s corporate income tax of up to 5 percent of a company’s investment in new production equipment. The actual value of the credit depends on the applicable recovery period for property under the Internal Revenue Code.

CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS CREDIT: Provides a 20 percent credit based on the cost of the actual portion of the facility dedicated to the headquarters operation or direct lease costs for the first five years of operation. The credit can be applied against either corporate income tax or the license fee. These credits are not limited in their ability to eliminate corporate income taxes and can potentially eliminate corporate income taxes for as long as 10 years from the year earned. Eligibility is determined by meeting a number of specific criteria.

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT TAX CREDIT: A credit equal to 5 percent of the taxpayer’s qualified research expenses in the state. The credit taken in any one taxable year may not exceed 50 percent of the company’s remaining tax liability after all other credits have been applied. Any unused portion of the credit can be carried forward for 10 years from the date of the qualified expenditure.

SOUTH DAKOTA

The ETHANOL INCENTIVE BILL (SB196) passed during the 2011 legislative session. Through a partnership with the ethanol industry, this legislation repurposes funding to secure additional capital for the Revolving Economic Development Initiative (REDI) Fund. The REDI Fund is one of South Dakota’s primary economic development financing tools. In addition, through an incentive program created by SB196, $3.5 million in funding will be provided to encourage additional ethanol consumption and blender pump installation.

AGRICULTURAL PROCESSING AND EXPORT (APEX):  A loan program designed to assist companies in communities with a population of 25,000 or less, which add value to raw agricultural products through processing, or export a minimum of 75 percent of its product to entities outside the State of South Dakota or replace an import. It is open to for-profit businesses and local economic development corporations. This program may provide up to 75 percent of the total project cost and requires the applicant to secure the other funds before applying for the APEX loan, including a 10 percent minimum equity contribution. The maximum loan amount available from the APEX program is up to $250,000. Eligible project costs include the purchase of land and the associated site improvements, the purchase and installation of machinery and equipment, the construction, acquisition or renovation of a building, and fees, services and other costs associated with construction. In 2011, the legislature reduced the interest rate on the APEX loan program to 3 percent.

MICROLOAN SD: A partnership with the South Dakota Development Corporation, and Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED). These loans are made available to small businesses within the borders of South Dakota and South Dakota residents, including main street and retail operations, for working capital, equipment, real estate or other fixed asset project costs.

MICROLOAN EXPRESS PROGRAM: Introduced by the GOED to streamline the MicroLOAN application and approval process. It offers access to working capital for small enterprises and may be used for fixed assets. The MicroLOAN Express operates in the same fashion as the MicroLOAN, with the following exceptions:

• If an applicant qualifies under the policies and procedures of the MicroLOAN and they receive bank or credit union approval, approval under the MicroLOAN Express will be automatic as long as the MicroLOAN Express portion is in a pro-rata first collateral position with the bank or credit union.
• The bank or credit union must file all of the documents it requires of the applicant, as well as all internal documents relating to the loan with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development in order to receive the paperwork relating to the MicroLOAN Express loan.

REVOLVING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & INITIATIVE (REDI) FUND: Provides permanent financing for land, building, machinery and equipment and associated installation costs. Designed to help promote job growth in South Dakota, this low-interest loan fund is available to start-up firms, businesses that are expanding or relocating and local economic development corporations. The REDI Fund provides up to 45 percent of a project’s total cost. Companies should secure interim (construction) financing, matching funds for permanent financing and be able to provide a 10 percent minimum equity contribution before applying to the Board of Economic Development for a REDI Fund loan. It offers fixed rate interest which is currently 2 percent. Loans may be amortized up to 20 years on land and buildings and up to 10 years on equipment, with a balloon payment due after five years.

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA) 504: Offers subordinated, long-term fixed rate financing (10-20 years) at reasonable rates (near long-term U.S. Treasury bond rates) to healthy and expanding small businesses. The 504 Program is available for fixed asset purchases only: land, building, and equipment with a useful life of 10 years or more. Working capital, inventory, and venture capital are NOT eligible. SBA 504 financing is “permanent” take-out mortgage financing. Interim or construction financing must be utilized to complete the project. The net worth of an eligible business may not exceed 8.0 million. Its net profit after taxes must not have exceeded an average of $3.0 million during the previous two years. Should a company fail to meet these standards, the company will still be considered a small business if it meets size requirements, based on the number of employees, which vary among the different industries depending on NAICS codes.

BOND FINANCING: Provides small businesses with access to the public bond market.

VALUE-ADDED AG SUBFUND: In 1999, a $3 million fund was created specifically to assist in funding feasibility and marketing studies for prospective value-added ag business. This Subfund of the REDI Fund is just one step toward improving value-added ag in South Dakota. The goal is threefold:

• To find niche markets that will add value to South Dakota ag commodities
• To help fund marketing and feasibility studies
• To help assemble the right people, capital and labor to ensure a successful project.

Any for-profit business, nonprofit cooperative or group that forms an eligible legal entity may apply for a loan from the subfund. Loans cannot exceed more than 45 percent of the total eligible project costs for marketing or feasibility study expenses. Applicant must provide equity contribution of at least 10 percent of the total project cost for marketing and/or feasibility study expenses. Applications can be submitted at any time. The staff of the GOED will screen all applications for completeness and eligibility requirements within 30 days of receiving it.

Loan proceeds may be used for salaries, consultant contracts, supplies and necessary services for feasibility or marketing studies. The maturity of a VASF loan may not be more than five years with regular payments amortized over not more than 20 years.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TRAINING: Provides matching grants to assist companies with up to 50 percent of eligible training expenses.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG): Provides matching grants to local governments, municipalities and counties. The program allows the state to fund a variety of different projects in small cities and rural areas. All projects must meet one of HUD’s national objectives, with the primary objective to benefit people of low-moderate income (LMI).

SOUTH DAKOTA WORKS: Business/commercial loans for businesses needing working capital. The term is one to five years and the loan amount is up to $1 million with a minimum amount of $20,000. Eligible borrowers include businesses seeking new financing and certified development financial institutions that meet US Treasury guideline and only have one WORKS loan program at a time for a company. Funds can be used for business purposes such as startup costs, working capital, payroll, inventory needs and new construction loans.

TENNESSEE

Through the FAST TRACK INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (FIDP), funds are allocated to assist local governments in providing infrastructure to support new or expanding industry. The following types of activities are eligible: water systems, wastewater systems, transportation projects, site improvement, or other specific infrastructure improvements required to support economic growth. Grants are limited to a maximum of $750,000 with amounts determined for individual projects.

The TENNESSEE SMALL BUSINESS ENERGY LOAN PROGRAM is designed to assist in the identification, installation, and incorporation of approved energy-efficiency measures for existing Tennessee businesses. Businesses of fewer than 300 employees or $3.5 million in annual gross sales or receipts can receive loans of up to $300,000. These loans are repaid at 3 percent interest over a period of time not to exceed seven years.

The FASTTRACK JOB TRAINING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (FJTAP) provides training assistance as an incentive to attract new investment and to encourage existing business and industry to make additional investments in Tennessee. The training assistance is customized to each company’s individual training needs. Levels of training assistance are determined by the amount of the company’s investment, number of new hires, and the skills and knowledge that must be possessed by the prospective or newly hired employees. A customized training plan can be developed in direct coordination with company personnel. The training can be both pre-employment and post employment, including classroom and on the job. Reimbursement of instructional cost by company personnel and selected vendors is eligible for support. The expense of travel, for the purpose of training, is a viable option for the training of new hires and persons who will serve as company instructors.

TENNESSEE JOB SKILLS (TJS) is a work force development program giving priority to the creation and retention of existing jobs while focusing on employers in industries that promote high-skill, high-wage jobs in high technology, demand and emerging occupations. Training grants can be awarded to employers as an incentive for investing in new technologies, with the training being focused on the performance skills of their present employees affected by the introduction of the new technology. Training assistance can also be awarded to employers who certify that a specific job or job openings exist and at the completion of the training project those participants in the project will fill such job openings. The starting wage for a new job created through the project will be equal to or greater than the prevailing starting wage for that occupation in the local labor market.

BUSINESS ENTERPRISE RESOURCE OFFICE (BERO): Provides technical, financial and business plan development advice for small, minority-owned and woman-owned businesses across the state.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM (CDBG): Grant dollars are available to communities with a population of fewer than 50,000 residents for the purpose of providing community development projects and attracting new or expanding companies, as long as the projects align with one of three national objectives:

• Principally benefit low and/or moderate income people
• Eliminate or prevent slums and/or blight
• Address imminent health and/or safety problems.

GREEN ISLAND CORRIDOR GRANT: Administered by the Tennessee Department of Transportation, assists retail vehicle fuel stations and farm co-ops with up to 80 percent of the cost to convert or install storage and fuel dispensing equipment for E85 and B20 pumps, with a cap of $45,000 per pump. TDOT advertises biofuel station locations on the Official State Map and provides interstate signage at exits with participating biofuel stations. This program is working to establish a statewide network of E85 and B20 pumps alongside interstate and major highway corridors to make these fuels available to citizens, travelers and fleets.

RURAL SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP LOAN FUND: Helps small businesses, specifically micro-businesses or micro-enterprises, grow and maintain their businesses. A micro-enterprise is a business with five or fewer employees including the owners. It is an alternative source of capital for small business owners who can’t get conventional bank loans and don’t want to use credit cards.

JOBS TAX CREDIT: Allows “qualified business enterprises” a credit against their franchise and excise taxes based on their capital investment and the number of jobs created. The amount of the credit and the period of time during which it can be used varies according to the size of the investment.

JOBS TAX SUPER CREDIT: Applies to those qualified businesses investing capital of $100 million or more and creating a minimum of 100 jobs paying at least 100 percent of Tennessee’s average occupational wage or investing $10 million in a qualified headquarters facility with the creation of at least 100 new headquarters jobs paying 150 percent of the average occupational wage.

These credits can be used to offset up to 100 percent of the company’s F&E tax liability each year for 3 to 20 years starting the first tax year after the job creation and capital investment thresholds have been met. The Super Credit does not include carry-forward provisions. The Super Credit is in addition to the regular Job Tax Credit, which will still have the 15 year carry-forward and 50 percent of offset. The only difference is by qualifying for the Super Credit, the amount of the regular Job Tax Credit increases to $5,000 per new occupational wage job instead of the regular $4,500.

RURAL OPPORTUNITY INITIATIVE ENHANCED JOB TAX CREDIT: If a qualified business enterprise locates or expands in a Tier 2 or Tier 3 Enhancement County (based on unemployment, per capita income and poverty levels), the company will be eligible for an annual Enhanced Job Tax Credit of $4,500 for each qualified job, provided that the job remains filled during the year in which the credit is being taken. The annual credit may be used to offset up to 100 percent of the company’s total franchise and excise (F&E) tax liability each year for a three-year period in Tier 2 counties and a five-year period in Tier 3 counties. The Enhanced Job Tax Credit for Tier 2 and Tier 3 Enhancement Counties is in addition to the regular Job Tax Credit and cannot be carried forward.

INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY TAX CREDIT: For capital investments in industrial machinery, it may be used to offset up to 50 percent of the company’s F&E tax liability. To qualify for this credit, companies are not required to create new jobs. The credit applies to the purchase, installation and repair of industrial machinery as defined in T.C.A. 67-6-102. The credit also applies to the purchase and installation of computer, computer software and certain peripheral devices purchased in order to meet the capital investment thresholds of the Job Tax Credit. Any unused Industrial Machinery Tax Credit may be carried forward for up to 15 years. The percentage of Industrial Machinery Credit allowed is dependent upon the investment made during the investment period.

HEADQUARTERS TAX CREDIT: A suite of enhanced tax credits to companies that establish or expand a qualified headquarters facility in Tennessee. A “qualified headquarters facility” means a regional, national or international headquarters facility where the taxpayer has made a minimum investment and either:

• Located its headquarters facility in a Central Business District or Economic Recovery Zone and received approval from the Commissioner of Revenue as a “qualified headquarters facility”
• $50 million in a headquarters building or buildings, newly constructed, expanded or remodeled during the investment period, or
• $10 million in a headquarters facility and the creation of 100 new full-time jobs paying at least 150 percent of Tennessee’s average occupational wage during the investment period.

DATA CENTER TAX CREDIT: Companies may obtain tax credits for the purchase of materials related to the construction of a qualified data center, which is defined as a building or buildings housing high technology computer systems and related equipment in which the taxpayers had made a minimum capital investment of $250 million and has created 25 new jobs paying at least 150 percent of the state’s average occupational wage.

TEXAS

THE TEXAS EMERGING TECHNOLOGY FUND (ETF) provides Texas with an unparalleled advantage in the research, development, and commercialization of emerging technologies. ETF grants are awarded in the following three areas:

• Commercialization Awards: funds to help companies take ideas from concept to development to ready for the marketplace.
• Matching Awards: funds create public-private partnerships which leverage the unique strengths of universities, federal government grant programs, and industry.
• Research Superiority Acquisition: funds for Texas higher education institutions to recruit the best research talent in the world.

The ETF was created by the Texas Legislature in 2005 at the urging of Gov. Perry to provide Texas with an unparalleled advantage in the research, development, and commercialization of emerging technologies. ETF grants are awarded in the following three areas:

• Commercialization Awards: funds to help companies take ideas from concept to development to ready for the marketplace.
• Matching Awards: funds create public-private partnerships which leverage the unique strengths of universities, federal government grant programs, and industry.
• Research Superiority Acquisition: funds for Texas higher education institutions to recruit the best research talent in the world.

THE TEXAS ENTERPRISE ZONE PROGRAM is an economic development tool for local communities to partner with the State of Texas to promote job creation and capital investment in economically distressed areas of the state. Designated projects are eligible to apply for state sales and use tax refunds on qualified expenditures. The level and amount of refund is related to the capital investment and jobs created at the qualified business site. For more information, visit www.governor.state.tx.us/ecodev/financial_resources/tax_incentives/

TEXAS ENTERPRISE FUND (TEF): Established in 2003 to help attract new jobs and investment to the state. The fund is used only as a final incentive tool where a single Texas site is competing with another viable out-of-state option. Additionally, the TEF will only be considered to help close a deal that already has significant local support behind it from a prospective Texas community.

Projects considered for the TEF must demonstrate a significant rate of return on the public dollars being invested in the project. Additionally there are several primary measures that every TEF project must meet in order to be considered for an award. Those include but are not limited to the following:

• Competition with another state for the project must exist and the business must not have already announced a location decision
• Projected new job creation must be significant–typically more than 100 jobs in urban areas or more than 50 in rural areas
• New positions must be high-paying– above average wage of the county where the project would be located
• Capital investment by the company must be significant
• The project must have community involvement from the city, county and/or school district, primarily in the form of local economic incentive offers
• The applicant must be financially sound
• The applicant’s business sector must be an advanced industry that could potentially locate in another state or country

The DEFENSE ECONOMIC READJUSTMENT ZONE PROGRAM (DERZ) was established as a tool for business recruitment and job creation in adversely impacted defense dependent communities. It is designed to provide assistance to Texas communities, businesses and workers impacted by, or vulnerable to, the closure or realignment of military installations and the reduction of federal defense contracting expenditures. Local communities may also offer benefits to participants under the defense economic readjustment zone program as well. These may include tax abatement, tax increment financing, one-stop permitting and others. For more information, visit: www.governor.state.tx.us/ecodev/financial_resources/tax_incentives/

The FEDERAL ENTERPRISE ZONE/RENEWAL COMMUNITY PROGRAMS are Federal interagency efforts focused on the creation of self-sustaining, long-term development in distressed urban and rural areas throughout the Nation. The program uses a combination of Federal tax incentives to assist participating communities in development, reinvigoration, and growth. These Federal Designations are recognized through December 31, 2009. For more information, visit: www.governor.state.tx.us/ecodev/financial_resources/tax_incentives/

TEXAS PRODUCT/BUSINESS FUND: Provides financing to existing technology-focused companies that create products or do business within the state. Financing is done in the form of direct asset-based loans with a competitive variable interest rate tied to LIBOR. Loans can be amortized up to the life of the asset. Texas companies or out-of-state/international companies doing business in the state are eligible to apply. Funding preferences will be given to emerging technologies including semiconductors, nanotechnology, biotechnology and biomedicine, renewable energy, agriculture and aerospace.

Attributes of the Texas Product/Business Fund:

• Asset-Based Loans
• Competitive Loan-To-Value (LTV)
• Positive EBITDA not required
• Secure Loans with Property Plant & Equipment (PP&E)
• Secure Loans with Accounts Receivable
• Competitive variable interest rates
• Communities or individuals can assist as Guarantors

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FUND: Assists businesses and trade unions by financing the design and implementation of customized job training projects. This fund merges business needs and local customized training opportunities into a winning formula to increase the skills level and wages of the Texas workforce. Grants for a single business may be limited to $500,000.

TEXAS INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT LOAN PROGRAM (TID): Provides capital to Texas communities at favorable market rates. The main objective is to support projects that will stimulate the creation of jobs and corporate expansion and relocation. TID loans can be used for a variety of purposes, including the purchase of land, buildings, construction, machinery and equipment. TID financing is available for loans above $5,000,000.

DEFENSE ECONOMIC READJUSTMENT ZONE PROGRAM (DERZ): Established as a tool for business recruitment and job creation in adversely impacted defense dependent communities. It is designed to provide assistance to Texas communities, businesses and workers impacted by, or vulnerable to, the closure or realignment of military installations and the reduction of federal defense contracting expenditures.

Benefits to participation:

• Designated readjustment projects are eligible to apply for a state sales and use tax refund on qualified expenditures.
• The number of jobs eligible for a refund will not exceed 500 or a number equal to 110 percent of the anticipated new permanent/retained jobs.
• The maximum refund per allocated job is $2,500.
• Local communities may also offer benefits to participants under the defense economic readjustment zone program as well. These may include tax abatement, tax increment financing, one-stop permitting and others.

UTAH

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TAX INCREMENT FINANCING (EDTIF): A post-performance refundable tax credit up to 30 percent of new state revenues (state corporate/partnership income, sales and withholding taxes) over the life of the project (up to 20 years).

RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE (REDI): A post-performance refundable tax credit for up to 100 percent of new state revenues (state corporate/partnership income, sales and withholding taxes) over the life of the project (up to 20 years) for renewable/alternative energy generation and related manufacturing.

The PRIVATE ACTIVITY BOND is Utah’s tax-exempt bonding authority creating a lower cost, long-term source of capital.

UTAH RECYCLING MARKET DEVELOPMENT ZONES: Businesses within a Recycling Zone can claim state income tax credits of 5 percent on the investment in eligible equipment for the handling and/or consumption of recycled materials.

LIFE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TAX CREDITS: Investors in a Utah life science company are eligible for a non-refundable capital gains tax credit of 5 percent of a capital gain after holding the investment for at least two years. Investors are eligible for a non-refundable, post-performance tax credit of up to 35 percent of their investment, paid over three years. Life science and technology companies generating new state revenues are eligible for a post-performance refundable tax credit of up to the amount of new state revenues generated over three years.

MOTION PICTURE INCENTIVE PROGRAM (MPIP): A post performance incentive of up to 25 percent of total dollars spent in the state in the form of a cash grant or refundable tax credit.

RURAL FAST TRACK PROGRAM: A post-performance grant available to small companies in rural Utah. Requirements:

• Be located in a county with a population less than 30,000 and average household income less than $60,000
• Have been in business in the state for at least two years
• Have at least two employees
• Enter into an incentive agreement with GOED which specifies performance milestones
• Demonstrate how the business development project will promote business and economic development in a rural county

*Up to $50,000 for a qualifying business development project

• Create and retain for at least 12 months new high-paying jobs in a rural county

*$1,000 for each new job that pays over 110 percent of the county average wage
*$1,250 for each new job that pays over 115 percent of the county average wage
*$1,500 for each new job that pays over 125 percent of the county average wage

INDUSTRIAL ASSISTANCE FUND (IAF): A post-performance grant for the creation of high-paying jobs in the state. Eligible companies must create at least 50 new jobs, pay at least 125 percent of urban county average wage or 100 percent of rural county average wage, demonstrate company stability and profitability, secure commitment from local community to provide a local incentive, demonstrate competition with other locations and enter into an incentive agreement with GOED that specifies performance milestones.

ENTERPRISE ZONES: Under the program, certain types of businesses locating to, or expanding in a designated zone may claim state income tax credits provided in the law. Any city or county in the state of Utah may be eligible for enterprise zone designation. Application for designation must be made by a city with 10,000 or less population located in a county with 50,000 or less population or an Indian Tribe for tribal lands.

VERMONT

The VERMONT EMPLOYMENT GROWTH INCENTIVE ((VEGI) program can provide a cash payment, based on new job and payroll creation, to companies that have been authorized to earn the incentive. The incentive amount is based on the economic and fiscal impact of qualifying new jobs and payroll and capital investments made by the applicant for a period of up to five years. The resulting net revenue impact is used to calculate a percentage, which is then applied against the qualifying new payroll of the net new qualifying jobs, the product of which is the incentive amount for that year.

The VERMONT TRAINING PROGRAM (VTP) promotes expansion and encourages the creation and retention of jobs in Manufacturing, Information Technology, Healthcare, Telecommunication and Environmental Engineering by providing training funds for new and existing businesses thereby increasing the skills of the Vermont workforce, the wages and Vermonters’ standard of living. To be eligible, the company must guarantee that the training requested will supplement, rather than replace, the company’s ongoing, normal training efforts and agree to pay wages equal to at least twice minimum wage ($16.30) at completion of training, if no benefits are provided to the employee.

TAX-EXEMPT REVENUE BONDS: Eligible to facilities deemed eligible by the IRS (primarily manufacturers) as 501(c)3 organizations. Bonds can be used for acquisition of land, buildings, and equipment or “exempt facilities” as defined in the federal tax code.

VERMONT JOB START PROGRAM: Applicants must meet income eligibility criteria. Funds may be used to purchase real estate, equipment, inventory or for working capital.

The DIRECT LOAN PROGRAM is eligible to manufacturing, processing, warehousing, research and development, travel and tourism, information technology, and others as defined in statute. Money can be used for the purchase of land, construction of buildings, purchase and installation of machinery and equipment.

SMALL BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM: Available to assist growing Vermont small businesses that are unable to access adequate sources of conventional financing. This program may make loans of up to $350,000 for fixed asset acquisition or for working capital purposes. As a general rule, a small business working capital loan may not exceed 50 percent of the project cost, and a fixed asset loan may not exceed 40 percent of project cost. However, in certain instances loans (not to exceed $50,000) may be made for up to 75 percent of the cost of a project. Borrowers are required to provide at least 10 percent of the project cost in the form of equity capital. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens or 51 percent-owned by U.S. citizens, and unable to access conventional credit; and must demonstrate potential to create/retain employment opportunities for Vermonters.

VERMONT SBA 504 LOAN PROGRAM: The Vermont 504 Corporation, with SBA’s approval, makes SBA 504 loans to eligible and qualified borrowers. To fund these loans, the SBA guarantees debentures, which are sold to private investors. The proceeds of the debenture are subsequently loaned to the borrower. SBA 504 loans are made in conjunction with a “third party lender” (i.e., a Bank) that normally provides financing for 50 percent of the project. The SBA 504 loan lends up to 40 percent of the Project amount in a lien position that is junior to the third party lender, leaving as little as a 10 percent equity requirement from the Borrower. Eligible borrowers include for-profit businesses whose net worth cannot exceed $15 million and whose average net profit after taxes cannot exceed $5 million for previous two years. They must be located, or planning to locate, in the U.S. and the owner-user of the project being financed (51 percent occupancy minimum if existing building; 60 percent occupancy if new construction).

TECHNOLOGY LOAN PROGRAM (TLP): Companies whose major activity is offering technology-based goods and services to customers located both inside and outside Vermont are eligible. Proceeds can be used for the purchase of capital assets and/or for working capital and to refinance existing company debt or assets in certain cases. The Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) may not fund more than 90 percent of the cost of the project. Typically, the borrower will be required to provide the remaining 10 percent of the total project cost. The maximum amount of any TLP loan is $250,000.

LOCAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION LOANS: This program provides financing to nonprofit local and regional development corporations to build facilities for lease to identified eligible tenants, or to plan and/or develop industrial parks. All nonprofit local and regional development corporations (LDCs and RDCs) are eligible for the program. Funding can be used for the purchase of land for industrial parks; industrial park planning and development; construction or improvement of speculative buildings; and small business incubator facilities.

BROWNFIELDS REVITALIZATION FUND (BRF): Administered by the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD), it provides eligible applicants with loans up to $250,000 at attractive rates and terms to use for the initial assessment, categorization, planning and clean-up process. Grants may also be available.

NATURAL GAS VEHICLE (NGV) AND INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING: The Clean Energy Development Fund provides funding for projects that involve the purchase of dedicated NGVs and development of natural gas fueling infrastructure. To qualify for funding, the NGV must produce fewer emissions than commercially available vehicles using conventional fuel, and fueling infrastructure must deliver natural gas without interruption. (Reference Vermont Statutes Title 10, Chapter 157, Section 6523)

ALTERNATIVE FUEL AND ADVANCED VEHICLE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT TAX CREDIT: Vermont businesses that qualify as a high-tech business involved exclusively in the design, development and manufacture of alternative fuel vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, all-electric vehicles or energy technology involving fuel sources other than fossil fuels are eligible for up to three of the following tax credits: 1) payroll income tax credit; 2) qualified research and development income tax credit; 3) export tax credit; 4) small business investment tax credit; and 5) high-tech growth tax credit. Certain limits and restrictions apply. (Reference Vermont Statutes Title 32, Chapter 151, Section 5930a, c, f, g, and k)

VERMONT CAPITAL ACCESS PROGRAM (VCAP): Utilizes a pooled reserve concept and is designed to enable small businesses to access commercial credit. This program replaces the Financial Access Program. A bank may participate in this program by signing a “Master Agreement” with VEDA. A Reserve Fund, established with premiums paid by the borrower and/or the Bank and matched by VEDA, is set up for each bank to insure loans enrolled in the program. This Fund is available to cover losses incurred by the lender on any of its enrolled loans. Corporations, partnerships, joint ventures, sole proprietorships, cooperatives or other entities, whether profit or nonprofit, that are duly authorized to conduct business in Vermont are eligible. Proceeds cannot be used for the construction or purchase of residential housing or to finance passive real estate ownership and cannot be used to refinance a loan made by the same bank not previously enrolled in the program. Interest rate, term, down payment, collateral, etc. are determined by the participating lender; and The loan must have a principal balance of $500,000 or less.

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS (STEM) INCENTIVE: Pays new hires at Vermont companies $1500 cash annually for each year they are employed up to five years. The incentive is taxable income and goes directly to the individual. Eligible applicants must:

• Have graduated from an accredited educational institution with an Associate’s Degree or higher;
• Have been conferred the degree not more than 18 months before the date of hire by a qualified employer—new hires must apply within 30 days of their start date;
• Be employed by a qualified employer for a position in Vermont that meets the STEM definition and for which the total annual compensation (including the value of benefits, FICA payments, company pension and 401(k) contributions and other direct compensation paid to the employee) is $50,000 or greater; and
• Have outstanding student loans with a lending institution.

Eligible positions include occupations like engineers, technicians and more.

VERMONT SUSTAINABLE JOBS FUND (VSJF): Created by the Vermont Legislature in 1995 to accelerate the development of Vermont’s green economy. It provides early stage grant funding, technical assistance and loans to entrepreneurs, businesses, farmers, networks and others interested in developing jobs and markets for sustainably produced goods and services.

VIRGINIA

The GOVERNOR’S OPPORTUNITY FUND (GOF) is designed as a “deal closing” fund to be employed at the governor’s discretion when necessary to secure a company location or expansion in Virginia. The GOF serves as a final resource for Virginia in the face of serious competition from other states or countries. Awards are made with the expectation that the grant to a locality will result in a favorable decision for the commonwealth. Grants are awarded to localities on a local matching basis. Capital is provided for site acquisition and development, transportation access, training, construction or build-out of publicly owned buildings.

VIRGINIA INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP GRANT AND MAJOR ELIGIBLE EMPLOYER GRANT FUND: A discretionary performance incentive designed to encourage continued capital investment by Virginia companies, resulting in added capacity, modernization, increased productivity, or the creation, development and utilization of advanced technology. The program is targeted to companies that have operated in Virginia for at least five years, and that are proposing expansion projects that meet certain criteria.

VIRGINIA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE GRANT: A discretionary investment performance grant program designed to assist and encourage companies to invest and create new employment opportunities by locating significant headquarters, administrative or service sector operation in Virginia. Eligible projects must meet minimum requirements for capital investment and job creation.

The VIRGINIA JOBS INVESTMENT PROGRAM: (VJIP) offers customized recruiting and training to companies that are creating new jobs or are substantially retraining existing employees. VJIP offers funding and services through three distinct incentive programs that fit a spectrum of training and retraining needs that include the New Jobs Program, the Small Business New Jobs Program and the Retraining Program.

TOBACCO REGION OPPORTUNITY FUND: discretionary cash grant made to a locality in Virginia’s tobacco-producing regions by the Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission (generally in the southern and southwest regions of the state) for assistance with economic development projects.

TECHNOLOGY ZONES: Virginia cities, counties and towns have the ability to establish, by ordinance, one or more technology zones to attract growth in targeted industries. Qualified businesses locating or expanding operations in a zone may receive local permit and user fee waivers, local tax incentives, special zoning treatment or exemption from ordinances. Once a local technology zone has been established, incentives may be provided for up to 10 years. Each locality designs and administers its own program.

SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTION: Data centers are eligible for sales and use tax exemption if they invest at least $150 million, hire at least 50 employees (direct or indirect) that are paid at least 1.5 times the average prevailing wage in the locality where the center is located, and enter into an MOU with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. The job threshold may be reduced if the facility is located in an Enterprise Zone or in a severely distressed community as defined by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (unemployment at least 150 percent of the average statewide unemployment.) This exemption applies to the 5 percent sales tax on servers, server related equipment, chillers, generators and other enabling hardware.

CLEAN ENERGY MANUFACTURING INCENTIVE GRANT (CEMIG): A clean energy manufacturer can receive a grant for up to six years if it begins or expands its operations, makes a capital investment of more than $50 million and creates 200 or more new full-time jobs in Virginia on or after July 1, 2011. They also must enter a memorandum of understanding setting forth the requirements for capital investment and the creation of new full-time jobs. The governor may reduce the capital investment and full-time job minimums if the manufacturer is located in an area with an unemployment rate of 1.25 times the statewide average unemployment rate of the previous year. For wind manufacturers, the capital investment minimum is $10 million and the job minimum is 30.

“Clean energy manufacturer” is defined as a biofuel producer, a manufacturer of renewable energy or nuclear equipment/products, or “products used for energy conservation, storage, or grid efficiency purposes.” Renewable energy is defined to include solar, wind, hydro, biomass, waste energy, municipal solid waste, wave, tidal and geothermal. It may also include thermal or electric energy from biomass co-firing facilities. Public service corporations are not eligible for the grants.

CORPORATE INCOME TAX CREDITS: Virginia offers a variety of tax credits that are available for use against a company’s corporate tax liability:

• Major Business Facility Job Tax Credit
• Recycling Equipment Tax Credit
• Day Care Facility Investment Tax Credit
• Worker Retraining Tax Credit
• Virginia Port Tax Credit Programs
• Research and Development Tax Credit
• Green Job Creation Tax Credit

PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS: Virginia does not tax intangible property, manufacturers’ inventory and manufacturers’ furniture, fixtures and corporate aircraft.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACCESS PROGRAM: Administered by the Virginia Department of Transportation, it assists localities in providing adequate road access to new and expanding basic employers.

RAIL INDUSTRIAL ACCESS PROGRAM: Helps connect businesses to freight rail service by funding the construction or improvement of railroad tracks and facilities to serve industrial or commercial sites where freight rail service is currently needed or anticipated in the future. This grant program supports localities, businesses or industries seeking to provide freight rail service between the actual site of an existing or proposed commercial facility and common carrier railroad tracks.

TRANSPORTATION PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY FUND (TPOF): Provides grants, revolving loans or other financial tools and equity contributions to encourage the development of transportation projects and to provide monies to address the transportation aspects of economic development opportunities.

VIRGINIA SMALL BUSINESS FINANCING AUTHORITY (VSBFA): Offers programs to provide businesses with access to capital needed for growth and expansion.

ENTERPRISE ZONES: Provides state and local incentives to businesses that invest and create jobs within Virginia’s enterprise zones, which are located throughout the state.

FOREIGN TRADE ZONES: Virginia offers six foreign trade zones designed to encourage businesses to participate in international trade by effectively eliminating or reducing customs duties. Also, numerous subzones are provided and additional ones can be designated to enhance the trade capabilities of specific companies.

DEFENSE PRODUCTION ZONES: Virginia authorizes its communities to establish local defense production zones to benefit businesses engaged in the design, development or production of materials, components or equipment required to meet the needs of national defense. Companies deemed ancillary to or in support of the aforementioned categories would also apply.

WASHINGTON

COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT ZONE PROGRAM(CEZ): a competitive program intended to spur neighborhood revitalization and reinvestment. To receive state CEZ designation, the six eligible jurisdictions identified targeted neighborhoods, undertook a planning and public involvement process, and adopted a five-year plan to guide resource investments. The CEZ designation enables qualified businesses to apply to the Washington State Department of Revenue for sales tax deferrals and business and occupation tax credits for a variety of projects. The statutory authority for the CEZ program is found in Chapter 43.31C of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW).

SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTION for Manufacturing Machinery & Equipment (m&E): Available to manufacturers and processors for hire performing manufacturing and R&D. Testing operation for a manufacturer and processor for hire. To qualify, the manufacturer must purchase qualifying machinery and equipment used directly in a manufacturing operation or research and development performed by a manufacturer, or testing operations performed for a manufacturer.

Rural County/Community Empowerment Zone (CEZ) Incentives:

• Purchases of Server Equipment and Power Infrastructure for use in Eligible Data Centers – Sales/Use Tax Exemption: Available to the owner of an eligible data center with a combined square footage of at least 100,000 square feet and lessees of at least 20,000 square feet within an eligible data center located in a rural county.
• B&O Credit for New Employees in Manufacturing and Research & Development in Rural Counties: Available to manufacturers, R&D laboratories, and commercial testing facilities located in rural counties or within a CEZ. To qualify, the company must create new employment positions/increase instate employment by 15 percent. In turn, this incentive gives a $2,000 credit/position with annual wages/benefits of $40,000 or less; or a $4,000 credit/position with wages/benefits of more than $40,000 annually.

HIGH TECHNOLOGY B&O CREDIT for R&D Spending: Available to businesses conducting research and development (R&D) in Washington State in the research and development fields of advanced computing, advanced materials, biotechnology, electronic device technology and environmental technology.

RENEWABLE ENERGY/GREEN INCENTIVES:

• Solar Energy System and Components of Solar Energy Systems Manufacturers – Reduced B&O Tax Rate available to manufacturers, manufacturers that sell their product at wholesale, and processors for hire of solar energy systems and specified components of solar energy systems using photovoltaic modules or stirling converters.
• Machinery & Equipment Used to Generate Electricity Using Renewable Energy – Sales/Use Tax Exemption available to anyone that generates electricity using fuel cells, sun, wind, biomass energy, tidal and wave energy, geothermal resources, anaerobic digestion, technology that converts otherwise lost energy from exhaust, or landfill gas. The refund program expires July 1, 2013.
• Energy Production Using Solar, Methane, & Wind Power – Cost Recovery Program available to individuals, businesses, local government entities that are not in the light and power business or gas distribution business, and participants in a community solar project.

REDUCED B&O TAX RATE FOR AEROSPACE BUSINESSES: This incentive is available to manufacturers and processors for hire of commercial airplanes or component parts of commercial airplanes, non-manufacturers engaged in the business of aerospace product development, certificated FAR repair stations making retail sales, and aerospace tooling manufacturers.

For more detailed information about these and additional incentives, visit: www.choosewashington.com/business/incentives

WEST VIRGINIA

SALES TAX EXEMPTION FOR CERTAIN E-COMMERCE BUSINESSES: Some computer-related sales of tangible personal property and services are exempt from the consumer sales and services tax.

SALES TAX EXEMPTION FOR CERTAIN WAREHOUSE AND DISTRIBUTION CENTERS: Purchases of certain tangible personal property in qualified warehouse and distribution centers may be exempt from the consumers’ sales and service tax.

The COMMERCIAL PATENT INCENTIVES TAX CREDIT can offset up to 100 percent of the business franchise tax, corporation net income tax, or in the case of individual taxpayers, the personal income tax. The credit is based on a percentage of royalties, license fees and other consideration for developers of a patent or a percentage of net profit attributable to a patent used in a manufacturing process or product.

HIGH-TECH MANUFACTURING CREDIT: Businesses that manufacture certain computers and peripheral equipment, electronic components or semi-conductors and which create at least 20 new jobs within one year after placement of qualified investment into service, can receive a tax credit to offset 100 percent of the business and occupation tax, business franchise tax, corporate net income tax, and personal income tax on certain pass through income for 20 consecutive years.

HIGH-TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS PROPERTY VALUATION ACT: Tangible personal property, including servers, directly used in a high-technology business or in an internet advertising business is valued for property tax purposes at 5 percent of the original cost of the property. In addition, sales tax is eliminated from all purchases of prewritten computer software, computers, computer hardware, servers, building materials and tangible personal property, for direct use in a high-technology business or internet advertising business.

LINKED DEPOSIT LOAN PROGRAM: Allows small, for-profit state employers with 50 or fewer employees and gross annual receipts of $5 million or less to apply for a linked deposit loan with an interest rate of 1 percent above published New York Prime, up to $250,000.

FILM INDUSTRY INVESTMENT ACT: Provides up to 31percent tax credits for in-state spend (27 percent base, plus 4 percent if 10 or more West Virginia residents are hired full time). Funded at $10 million annually; no caps; minimum spend of $25,000. Eligible projects include feature length films, TV films and series, commercials, music videos and commercial still photography.

CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS CREDIT: Companies that relocate their corporate headquarters to WV are eligible for tax credits if 15 new jobs (including relocated employees) are created within the first year. The credit can offset up to 100 percent of the tax liability for business and occupation tax, business franchise tax, corporate net income tax and personal income tax on certain pass through income, for a period of up to 13 years.

ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY CREDIT: For qualified companies that create at least 20 new jobs within specified time limits (10 jobs in the case of qualified small business) as a result of their business expansion project, the State’s Economic Opportunity Tax Credit can offset up to 80 percent of specified business taxes for a period of up to 13 years. If a qualified company that creates the requisite number of jobs pays an annual median wage higher than the statewide average non-farm payroll wage, then the qualified company can offset up to 100 percent of the specified taxes for up to 13 years.

For qualified businesses creating less than 20 new jobs within specified time limits, or for a qualified small business creating less than 10 new jobs, a $3,000 credit is allowed per new full time job for five years, providing the new job pays at least $32,000 per year and the employee has employer-provided health insurance benefits. The $32,000 figure is adjusted annually for cost-of-living.

“FIVE-FOR-TEN” PROGRAM: Provides property tax valuation for new investment property of manufacturers that make qualified capital improvements of more than $50 million to an existing manufacturing facility having an original investment asset cost base of at least $100 million. Under this program, the new capital addition is valued at 5 percent of original cost for the first 10 years after it is placed on the property tax rolls.

MANUFACTURING INVESTMENT CREDIT: A tax credit is allowed against up to 60 percent of corporate net income tax and business franchise tax based on qualified investment in eligible manufacturing property, with no new job creation required.

MANUFACTURING INVENTORY CREDIT: Offsets the business franchise tax and corporate net income tax in the amount of property tax paid on raw materials, goods in process and finished goods manufacturing inventory.

STRATEGIC R&D CREDIT: Can offset up to 100 percent of corporate net income tax and business franchise tax, based on qualified expenditures for R&D projects.

AIRCRAFT VALUATION: Aircraft owned or leased by commercial airlines, charter carriers, private carriers and private companies are valued for property tax purposes at the lower of fair market salvage value or 5 percent of the original cost of the property.

MANUFACTURING SALES TAX EXEMPTION: Purchases of materials and equipment for direct use in manufacturing are exempt from the 6 percent state sales and use tax, including building materials and process equipment purchased for construction of a manufacturing facility.

SPECIAL RATES OF ELECTRIC POWER FOR INDUSTRIAL CONSUMERS: The WV Public Service Commission may establish special rates that in its judgment are necessary or appropriate for the continued, new or expanded operation of energy-intensive industrial consumers. In order to qualify for a special rate, an industrial facility, plant or enterprise shall enter into negotiations with the utility, having a contract demand of at least 50,000 kilowatts of electric power at its WV facilities under normal operating conditions; create or retain at least 25 full time jobs in the state; have invested not less than $500,000 in fixed assets in the state; and provide reasonable evidence that without the special rate, the operation is threatened or not economically viable.

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT SALES TAX EXEMPTION: Purchases of tangible personal property and services directly used in research and development are exempt from the consumers’ sales tax.

TAX INCREMENT FINANCING: Allows increases in property tax based on the improvement associated with qualified economic development and public improvement projects to assist with their long-term financing.

TOURISM MATCHING ADVERTISING PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM: Provides reimbursable matching funds for direct advertising. Business applicants and their partners must provide a minimum of 50 percent of the total cost for programs at the $10,000 + level. For programs not exceeding $7,500, business applicants must provide 25 percent of the total cost.

GOVERNOR’S GUARANTEED WORK FORCE PROGRAM: Flexible, customized training program that offers assistance to eligible companies and businesses by providing funding that directly supports the transfer of knowledge and skills. Companies must create a minimum of 10 net new jobs within a 12-month period.

WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT (WIA) PROGRAM: Customized training program available to employers that hire individuals that meet specific program requirements. The program targets job seekers that are either economically disadvantaged or displaced due to job shifting in the region.

WEST VIRGINIA ADVANCE PROGRAM: Offers customized job training awards to new and existing businesses. It supplies development and delivery of training services that will support a company’s startup and ongoing employee development initiatives through a local Community and Technical College.

WISCONSIN

DAIRY 2020 INITIATIVE: Includes two programs to help dairy producers make improvements and increase production.

• The Dairy 2020 Early Planning Grant (EPG) program helps encourage and stimulate the start up, modernization and expansion of Wisconsin dairy farms. It provides grants to dairy producers to pay for professional services such as the preparation of a business plan. The award can be for up to 75 percent of the professional services with a maximum grant of $3,000.
• The Milk Volume Production program allows dairy producers who plan to increase milk production by expanding their dairy herds to obtain equity gap financing.

FOCUS ON ENERGY: Offers financial incentives to eligible Wisconsin business for installing qualifying energy efficiency and renewable energy measures such as energy efficient lighting, compressed air, HVAC equipment and residential solar energy systems. It also includes custom projects such as system or building upgrades or process improvements. Focus information, resources and financial incentives help implement projects that otherwise would not be completed, or to complete projects sooner than scheduled. Its efforts help businesses manage rising energy costs, promote in-state economic development, protect the environment and control the state’s growing demand for electricity and natural gas.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REVOLVING LOAN FUND (CDBG-ED/RLF): Funded through the federal Small Cities CDBG Program, provides grants to communities to promote local job creation and retention. Local governments then lend the funds to businesses for start-up, retention and expansion projects through grant funding. Funding levels depend on the number of jobs to be created or retained.

BUSINESS EMPLOYEES’ PROGRAM (BEST): Established by the Wisconsin Legislature to help small businesses in industries that are facing severe labor shortages upgrade the skills of their workforce. Under the BEST program, Commerce can provide applicants with a tuition reimbursement grant to help cover a portion of the costs associated with training employees. Eligible applicants include for-profit businesses that have 25 or fewer full time employees or annual sales of less than $2.5 million and are in one of the following Industrial Clusters: Automation, Agriculture/Food Products, Biotechnology, Information Technology, Manufacturing, Medical Devices, Paper/Forest Products, Printing, Tourism, or Childcare (does not include in-home childcare).

CUSTOMIZED LABOR TRAINING FUND: Provides training grants to businesses that are implementing new technology or production processes. The program can provide up to 50 percent of the cost of customized training if it is not available from the Wisconsin Technical College System. The program’s primary goal is to help Wisconsin manufacturers maintain a workforce that is on the cutting edge of technological innovation.

EARLY PLANNING GRANT PROGRAM (EPG): Helps individual entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout Wisconsin obtain the professional services necessary to evaluate the feasibility of a proposed start up or expansion. It provides grants to entrepreneurs and small businesses to help offset a portion of the cost of hiring an independent third party to develop a comprehensive business plan.

ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT ZONE PROGRAM: Promotes a business start-up or expansion on a particular site in any area of the state that suffers from high unemployment, declining income and property values and other indicators of economic distress. The program offers tax credits for such activities as hiring disadvantaged workers and undertaking environmental remediation. Tax credits can be taken only on income generated by business activity in the zone. The maximum amount of tax credits per zone is $3 million.

TAX INCREMENT FINANCING (TIF): Helps cities in Wisconsin attract industrial and commercial growth in underdeveloped and blighted areas. A city or village can designate a specific area within its boundaries as a TIF district and develop a plan to improve its property values. Taxes generated by the increased property values pay for land acquisition or needed public works.

INDUSTRIAL REVENUE BONDS (IRBs): A means of financing the constructing and equipping of manufacturing plants and a limited number of non-manufacturing facilities. The municipality is not responsible for debt service on IRBs, nor is it liable in the case of default. IRBs are also exempt from federal income tax. More than $265 million is available to assist small manufacturers with expansion projects through low-interest financing. The Department of Commerce grants the bonding authority (volume cap allocation) to cities, villages, counties and towns to issue the bonds on behalf of a business. This site provides business representatives, municipal officials, bond counsel and others with up-to-date information on the IRB program, the process of applying for volume cap, the availability of volume cap and the latest forms.

RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (RED) PROGRAM: Makes individual awards up to $30,000 for feasibility studies and other professional assistance to rural businesses with fewer than 25 employees. Businesses that have completed their feasibility evaluations are eligible for individual micro loans up to $25,000 for working capital and the purchase of equipment.

TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT FUND: Established to help Wisconsin businesses research and develop technological innovations that have the potential to provide significant economic benefit to the state, it helps businesses finance Phase I product development research. Firms completing Phase I projects can receive Phase II product-commercialization funding.

WISCONSIN TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM: Funds transportation facilities improvements that are part of an economic development project. It provides 50 percent state grants to governing bodies, private businesses and consortiums for road, rail, harbor and airport projects that help attract employers to Wisconsin, or encourage business and industry to remain and expand in the state.

ANGEL INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT: Angel investors and angel investor networks that invest in Qualified New Business Ventures may be eligible to claim an income tax credit on that investment, up to 25 percent of the investment amount. Angel investors are accredited (sophisticated) investors, for the purposes of this program, as determined by the Department of Commerce, whose cash investment in a Qualified New Business Venture is made in exchange for common stock, a partnership or membership interest, preferred stock or an equivalent ownership interest that is acceptable to Commerce. An angel investment network is a group of accredited (sophisticated) investors organized for the sole purpose of investing in a single Qualified New Business Venture.

EARLY STAGE SEED INVESTMENT CREDIT: Designed to encourage investment in small, high-technology businesses that have high growth potential and is for payments made to certified fund managers to invest in qualified new business ventures.

Wisconsin’s FILM TAX CREDIT PROGRAM provides two types of tax credits with a total of $500,000 in credits available each fiscal year. All credits are refundable and non-transferable:

1. FILM PRODUCTION SERVICES CREDIT: Provides tax credits for hiring Wisconsin residents to work on an accredited production, and also for incurring certain production expenditures. To qualify, the production must be pre-accredited by the department.
2. FILM PRODUCTION COMPANY INVESTMENT CREDIT: Provides tax credits to new and existing film production companies in Wisconsin that expand.

WISCONSIN MEAT PROCESSING FACILTY INVESTMENT CREDIT: A refundable tax credit for taxpayers who have invested to modernize or expand meat processing facilities in the state during taxable years that begin after December 31, 2008, and before January 1, 2017. Businesses engaged in processing livestock into meat products or processing meat products for sale commercially may be eligible to apply for the tax credits. “Livestock” means domesticated food animals, other than fish and wild game animals. “Meat product” means a value-added, saleable and edible stand-alone product resulting from processing meat or another meat product by a USDA- or state-inspected facility and does not include sandwiches, spreads, appetizers, soups, salads, dinners, pizzas, pasties or any other product that uses meat in any manner other than as the predominant ingredient. “Process” means to cut, grind, manufacture, compound, intermix or prepare meat or meat products for human consumption.

FOOD PROCESSING PLANT & FOOD WAREHOUSE INVESTMENT CREDIT: A refundable tax credit for businesses that have invested to modernize or expand food processing plants or food warehouses in Wisconsin.
“Used exclusively” means used to the exclusion of all other uses except for use not exceeding 5 percent of total use. Businesses can earn up to 10 percent of the eligible expenses spent in the taxable year with the maximum amount a claimant can receive over the life of the program being $200,000. The Department has $700,000 for each fiscal year. The Department may prorate some or all of the allocations in order to broaden the potential for promoting economic development.

DAIRY MANUFACTURING FACILTY INVESTMENT CREDIT: Provides refundable credits for businesses that have invested to modernize or expand dairy manufacturing facilities in Wisconsin. Businesses can earn up to 10 percent of the amount spent in a taxable year. The maximum lifetime amount a business can receive is $200,000 for each of the entity’s manufacturing facilities. The Department has $657,100 available annually for eligible businesses other than dairy cooperatives. A total of $700,000 is available annually for dairy cooperatives. Businesses that are engaged in the processing of milk into dairy products or processing dairy products for sale commercially are eligible to apply for tax credits under this program.

WOODY BIOMASS HARVESTING & PROCESSING INVESTMENT CREDIT: A refundable tax credit for businesses that have invested to modernize or expand Woody Biomass Harvesting and Processing Operations in Wisconsin. Woody biomass means “trees and woody plants, including limbs, tops, needles, leaves, and other woody parts, grown in a forest or woodland or on agricultural land.” Businesses can earn up to 10 percent of the eligible expenses with the maximum amount a claimant can receive over the life of the program being $100,000. The Department has $900,000 for each fiscal year. The Department shall allocate $450,000 in tax credits to businesses that individually have no more than $5,000,000 in gross receipts from doing business in Wisconsin for the taxable year in which the credit is claimed.

The MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM: Designed to generate and foster the growth of minority businesses in Wisconsin. The WEDC provides services to minority business owners, entrepreneurs and resource organizations.

WYOMING

The BUSINESS READY COMMUNITY GRANT & LOAN PROGRAM can provide financing for publicly owned infrastructure that promotes economic development within Wyoming communities. Cities, towns, counties and joint powers boards are the primary applicants for the program. The typical maximum award is $1.5 million with a 10 percent match. Publicly owned infrastructure that facilitates a specific businesses needs.

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT REVENUE BONDS: Cities and counties may issue tax-exempt industrial development revenue bonds to provide financing for manufacturing and energy generation businesses. These bonds are issued within the State’s IRS allocation of tax-exempt bond financing. The maximum project was increased to $600,000,000 in 2011 and the business must provide a bank “letter of credit” to guarantee payment of the bonds. Interested businesses must apply for an allocation within the State’s volume cap. The Wyoming Business Council will coordinate this process.

WYOMING PARTNERSHIP CHALLENGE LOAN PROGRAM: The Wyoming Business Council can participate with a local lender on a loan to a business. The State’s portion of the participation maybe up to 35 percent of the project (maximum $500,000) in a shared note and collateral position with the local lender. Participation can be increased to 50 percent of the loan or $1,000,000 is the lender has secured a federal guarantee (i.e. SBA, USDA) to guarantee repayment of a loan made to a business.

The MANAGED DATA CENTER COST REDUCTION GRANT PROGRAM (Passed 2009) is a $2.25 million maximum grant that can be used to reimburse accrued utility expenses for power or broadband over 3 years. In exchange for providing these reductions in costs, the applicant (a Wyoming city, county, joint powers board) shall contract with the business to receive direct benefits and indirect economic development benefits including a specific amount of capital investment from business, specific minimum payroll created by the business, the provision of discounted IT services.

DATA CENTER SALES TAX EXEMPTION (originally passed in 2010, amended 2011): Requires a $5 million investment in capital infrastructure (building, walls, engineering, dirt work, etc) in a Wyoming location in addition to a $2 Million or larger investment in data center equipment (servers, peripheral equipment and data center containers) and software purchases. If these thresholds are met the sales tax burden on the qualifying computer equipment is exempt. This exemption can be applied if the data center invests $2M in equipment a calendar year in the future. In 2011, the Wyoming State Legislature added another tier requiring a $50 million capital infrastructure level. This tier also requires the $2 Million in data center equipment purchases. At this tier the qualifying exempt equipment also includes uninterruptable power supplies (UPS), back-up power generation, specialized heating and air conditioning equipment and air quality control equipment.

DATA CENTER PERMIT EXEMPTION (passed 2011): A mega-data center project, which exceeds $178.3 Million in capital investment, would be exempt from the requirement of applying for an Industrial Siting Permit through the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. This presents a cost savings of approximately $500,000 associated with permit application preparation, wildlife studies, economic analyses, public meetings, permit hearings, attorney fees, etc.

DATA CENTER INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT FUNDS (passed 2011): A $15,000,000 appropriation to assist Wyoming cities, towns and counties to build necessary public infrastructure for the recruitment and operation of data centers.

FARMERS MARKET PROMOTIONAL GRANT: The Wyoming Business Council offers a $400 reimbursable grant for advertising and promotional materials to Wyoming farmers markets that can be used by a local Wyoming government agency, a Wyoming association, a Wyoming nonprofit organization (e.g. Chamber of Commerce) or a Wyoming Producer Association that conducts a farmers’ market.

ORGANIC CERTIFICATION REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM: Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in conjunction with the Wyoming Business Council, it is designed to help Wyoming processors with the costs associated in becoming organically certified. Two kinds of Organic Certification Reimbursement Grants are available. Wyoming businesses (organic processors) and Wyoming farms/ranches (organic producers) are eligible to apply.

WORKFORCE TRAINING GRANTS (WDTF): Created by the 1997 Wyoming Legislature and administered by the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, it assists new and existing industries in the state with the training needs of newly hired or current employees. Grants are available for up to $4,000 per trainee.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM: Administered by the Wyoming Business Council, it provides grants to local governments for community and economic development projects and makes convertible loans based on job creation as well as other tools that may assist businesses.

MANUFACTURING SALES TAX EXEMPTION: The sales tax burden is exempt on the sale or lease of machinery to be used in the State of Wyoming directly and predominately in manufacturing tangible personal property.

SALES TAX EXEMPTION ON ELECTRICITY USED IN MANUFACTURING: The sales tax burden is exempt on sales of power or fuel to a person engaged in the business of manufacturing, processing or agriculture when the same is consumed directly in manufacturing process.

MARKETING ASSISTANCE

Sales are directly tied to marketing Wyoming companies’ services and products. The Wyoming Business Council offers help through several programs.

• COOOPERATIVE ADVERTISING: The Business and Industry Division offers economic development groups and businesses the opportunity to join cooperative advertising in national publications.

• COOPERATIVE MARKETING PROGRAM: The Business Council secures booth space at trade and selling events to share, at minimum cost, with WY businesses and local economic development groups.

• MARKETING CONSULTING/MEDIA TRAINING: Consulting and training helps Wyoming businesses fine tune their marketing and public relations efforts to reach their target audience.

• TRADEMARK LICENSING PROGRAM: The Business Council has an agreement with the Secretary of State to use the Bucking Horse and Rider logo.

• TRADE SHOW INCENTIVE GRANT PROGRAM: Encourages state businesses to promote and sell their WY-made products to statewide, national and international audiences with grants to help offset the costs of the trade events. It is a reimbursable grant; and as such, the applicant must pay all expenditures before the grant award can be disbursed. The business shall function independently in performing this activity and shall assume sole responsibility of any debts or liabilities that may be incurred in regard to this trade event.

• WYOMING FIRST PROGRAM: Assists Wyoming companies with the identification and promotion of their Wyoming-made products and services. Participants can use “Bucking Horse and Rider” design stickers and hang tags and have their companies featured in a catalogue and a Web site.

• WYOMING MARKET RESEARCH CENTER (WMRC): Provides low to no cost market information to Wyoming businesses including competitive analysis, marketing lists, custom demographic and psychographic analysis, industry trends, government regulations, geographic information services, marketing material evaluations and original research.

SMALL BUSINESS NON-PROFIT ENERGY AUDIT PROGRAM: A matching grant that provides 50 provides for a level 2 energy audit up to a maximum of $2,500. A Level 2 Energy Audit will include quantification of energy users and losses through a detailed review and analysis of equipment, systems and operational characteristics. After the energy audit is conducted, the remainder of the grant may be used to pursue energy retrofits identified in the audit. Retrofit and audit funds are up to a maximum total of $5,000 with a 50 percent reimbursement. Manufacturers may use the audit to qualify for a sales tax abatement on the energy used in the manufacturing process.

The post STATE INCENTIVES GUIDE appeared first on Business Facilities.

By Business Facilities Staff

This year’s Rankings Report is the most comprehensive package we’ve produced to date. For our eighth annual report, we’ve created nearly 50 categories in which we evaluate the leading states, metros and international players. As always, our results are skewed towards growth potential; we tried to avoid a frozen snapshot of last year’s cold statistics—we want you to know who deserves the “up” arrow, and which locations will be home to tomorrow’s growth.

While we always take special care to make sure our rankings are a forward-looking analysis, we aren’t immune to the reality that everyone wants to know the same thing about today’s sputtering economy: Where are the jobs? So, in several of our more statistics-oriented categories, this year we have given extra credit for positive industry-specific employment numbers.

A good example of this is our annual Biotechnology Strength ranking. We’ve broken the overall biotech ranking into several categories in this year’s report, including Biotechnology Strength/Employment. There are many up-and-comers who have established a foothold in the burgeoning biotech sector, but we felt it was time to give the traditional powerhouses their due as perennial job-creators.

It seems like everyone is getting into the rankings game these days. We welcome the competition and especially the proliferation of rankings-oriented data sources in nearly every industrial sector. This has enabled us to track everything from Most Business Start-Ups to Most Wind Projects Under Construction. We will continue to refine our categories and methodology to give you the most useful information relating to your specific areas of interest. For example, this year we supplemented our traditional Best Education Climate ranking with a scorecard of the states that emerged out front in the fierce competition for federal Race to the Top education funding.

As this issue went to press, we observed with interest a nasty spat between a location that wasn’t pleased with it’s low standing in a state business ranking and the national media outlet that produced this ranking. This kerfuffle reinforced our annual decision to limit our results to the top 10 (or top five) locations in each category.

Our primary goal in this report (and every annual rankings evaluation) is to throw our spotlight on the Best of the Best. We think everyone has better things to do than to argue over who placed 40th or 41st. And so, without further ado, here is our 8th Annual Rankings Report.

Texas Rules The Roost In Best Business Climate
A perennial frontrunner for our annual Best Business Climate designation, Texas has been ranked first or second in this flagship category for each of the past five years. In our 2012 report, the Lone Star State has reclaimed the top spot in our most important business benchmark.

In addition to this year’s first-place finish, Texas also was our top-ranked state for Best Business Climate in 2009 and 2010.

“Texas has doubled down on its business-friendly tradition. The Lone Star State has been able to match and then exceed pre-Recession employment levels faster than any state in the nation,” said Business Facilities Editor in Chief, Jack Rogers.

A surging population in Texas has yielded a cost-effective workforce that is being deployed in an increasingly diversified industrial base.

“Texas has laid out the welcome mat for a variety of high-tech growth sectors, including semiconductors, biotechnology and alternative energy,” Rogers noted. “When you factor in a resurgent oil and gas industry and new manufacturing, you get an economic powerhouse that can compete against all comers.”

In addition to growing high-tech businesses, Texas has been aggressive in courting traditional manufacturers. A recent success was equipment giant Caterpillar’s decision to move its hydraulics and engine manufacturing to the state.

Texas edged out Utah, last year’s top-ranked state for Best Business Climate. With mega-incentives for big-ticket projects and low business taxes, Utah has succeeded in convincing tech giants including Adobe and eBay to put major operations in the Beehive State.

Rounding out the top five in Best Business Climate are Virginia, which is luring major government contractors to relocate their headquarters to the state (Northrop made the move, and VA is courting Lockheed); Florida, where Gov. Rick Scott has eliminated hundreds of regulations he says are impeding business expansions and new facilities in the Sunshine State; and Louisiana, which has married an unrivaled workforce training program with a bevy of new incentives that are spurring hot new growth sectors, including digital media.

Our Best Business Climate ranking evaluates an amalgamation of our key rankings results (including education climate, workforce training/availability, cost of labor, infrastructure, utility costs, credit rating and business tax climate). We give extra credit to states that have enacted and executed business-friendly policies, including new incentives, an improved business tax climate, and expanded workforce training initiatives. We also factor in the recent success of economic development efforts geared to bring in new industry segments and facilities.

Louisiana has surged to the top of this year’s Economic Growth Potential ranking, edging out last year’s number one, Virginia.

“With a diverse and well-executed economic development strategy, a workforce training program that sets the standard for the nation and a full menu of innovative incentives, Louisiana is marching forward on a path to prosperity,” Rogers said.

Louisiana moved into the top slot in BF’s coveted Economic Growth Potential ranking after finishing a close second in 2011. The Bayou State also moved into fifth place in our Best Business Climate ranking, up from seventh last year.

“Business climate and growth potential go hand in hand,” Rogers said. “Louisiana has made it clear to businesses looking to expand, relocate or establish new facilities that it is well prepared to meet their needs.”

Louisiana has buttressed its traditional industries, including natural gas and steel production, with an aggressive strategy that has successfully established new growth sectors in the state, including a red-hot digital media industry which boasts cutting-edge studios in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport.

Virginia maintained its leadership in our Economic Growth Potential category with a second-place finish. As the Commonwealth continues to rack up an impressive tally of corporate headquarters relocations, Virginia also has established itself as a high-tech hub with its new Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing, anchored by jet-engine maker Rolls Royce.

Moving into third place in our Economic Growth Potential ranking is oil-rich North Dakota, which is racing to maximize the expanding bonanza from development of the Bakken oilfield. The burgeoning Bakken production has made North Dakota a national job-growth leader. North Dakota also topped our Employment Leaders and Credit Quality categories.

In our evaluation of Economic Growth Potential, we consider the state’s business climate, availability of skilled workers, incentives and education climate, among other criteria. We also evaluate the state’s economic development strategy, giving extra credit for diversity of new growth sectors and coordination between business, higher education and government agencies. The potential of primary industries to generate secondary relocations/new facilities and indirect jobs also is considered.

Tennessee Makes It Three In A Row As Automotive King
For an unprecedented third consecutive year, Tennessee has been named the top-ranked state for Automotive Manufacturing Strength in our 2012 rankings.

“Fueled by a national revival in the auto sector, Tennessee’s assembly lines and supplier networks continue to get bigger and better,” Rogers said.

“VW is ramping up production at its new plant in Chattanooga, Nissan is rolling out the all-electric Leaf in Smyrna and General Motors has given a new mission to the former Saturn plant in Spring Hill. The Volunteer State is putting the pedal to the metal as our undisputed automotive king,” he added.

Tennessee was followed in our annual automotive sector assessment by Kentucky, which surged from last year’s fourth place finish to the no. 2 slot in this highly competitive category.

“Kentucky’s long-term deal with Ford—which is investing more than $1 billion in its Louisville facilities —has cemented a century-long relationship that stretches back to the Model T,” Rogers noted. “When you factor in the ongoing expansion of Toyota’s huge assembly complex in Georgetown, GM’s commitment to build next-generation Corvettes in Kentucky and a new advanced battery tech center, you have the makings of a 21st century automotive powerhouse.”

Kentucky’s renewed partnership with Ford was the Gold Award winner of BF’s 2011 Economic Development Deal of the Year competition.

Rounding out the top five in BF’s Automotive Manufacturing Strength ranking are South Carolina, home to BMW’s North American manufacturing hub; Georgia, which rapidly is developing a supplier network to support Kia’s new plant in West Point, GA; and a resurgent Michigan, which has supplemented the boost it got from the federal auto bailout with a burgeoning effort to produce lithium batteries and all-electric vehicles.

Business Facilities’ Automotive Manufacturing Strength ranking places a heavy emphasis on growth potential as well as current production statistics. Labor and utility costs, workforce availability and the size of regional supplier networks are factored into the ranking, as is a state’s commitment to the development of advanced automotive technologies. Long-term plans by major automakers to ramp up production and assemble new vehicles at specific locations also are part of the growth potential assessment.

Rogers noted that this year’s automotive rankings reflect an impressive across-the-board revival in the U.S. automotive industry.

“The obituaries that were written for the U.S. auto industry were premature. This recovery is being led by manufacturing that is now globally competitive on a cost-effective basis —and the manufacturing surge is strongest in our revived automotive sector, which is hitting on all cylinders,” Rogers said.

“The United States has risen from the canvas and reclaimed its automotive heavyweight championship. When you factor in the demand from emerging overseas markets in Asia and South America, the U.S. is poised to dominate once again wherever the rubber meets the road,” he added.

Louisiana Marches In As Digital Media Leader
With innovative incentives and Oscar-worthy talent, Louisiana is the top-ranked state in our new Digital Media Leaders category.

“Louisiana’s rich culture in creativity, film, music and television has been a natural fit for the development of an emerging digital media and technology industry,” Rogers said.

“The activity in this red-hot growth sector is statewide, with new studios and projects emerging on what seems like a monthly basis in digital media hubs including New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport,” he added.

The digital media surge in Louisiana has drawn major players who already boast a bounty of impressive awards, including two Academy Awards at this year’s Oscars. The gold statuettes went to Moonbot Studios in Shreveport for its animated short subject, The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, and Pixomondo, whose work on the film Hugo won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects. Pixomondo announced earlier this year it is investing $1.2 million to open shop in Baton Rouge’s Celtic Media Centre.

Louisiana edged out another emerging digital media powerhouse, Utah, and outpaced perennial media centers New York and California to take the top ranking in BF’s Digital Media Leaders category.

Louisiana’s digital media industry is one of the fastest-growing in the nation. The state has almost 19,000 skilled software developers and more than 100,000 professionals with a skill-set conducive to digital media or software development. In addition, its information sector, including software publishing and telecommunications, has experienced the second-fastest growth rate in the country since June 2009.

Rogers noted that New Orleans’ robust comeback from the Hurricane Katrina disaster has been driven by an aggressive economic development strategy focused on new growth sectors. “New Orleans is undergoing an economic renaissance—and digital media is playing an integral role,” he said.

Companies drawn to Louisiana include Firebrand Games, a critically acclaimed video game development company currently working on titles for the Nintendo DS and Wii. New Orleans has attracted GE Capital’s new technology office, adding hundreds of jobs to the local workforce. GE chose New Orleans after a site selection process that scrutinized hundreds of locations.

Known as the “Creative Capital of the South,” Baton Rouge has attracted development studios such as Electronic Arts, Crawfish Games, Nerjyzed Entertainment and BitRaider MMO.

Our Digital Media Leaders ranking is calculated based upon an evaluation of available incentives, recent project activity, cluster growth potential and initiatives/job creation in digital animation, video games, graphics and film sectors.

California, Washington, Texas Soar In Aerospace
For the past few years, we have issued a Metro ranking for our annual evaluation of aerospace/defense manufacturing leaders. However, recent developments have made it difficult to get an accurate fix on the metro pecking order in this critical employment sector, as jobs continue to shift between aerospace hubs in Wichita, Charleston, Seattle and Oklahoma City. Therefore, in our 2012 report we have refocused this category as a state ranking.

An in-depth analysis prepared by Deloitte and commissioned by the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), released in March, contains a treasure trove of data providing a clear picture of which states are dominating the aerospace/defense sector. Deloitte’s findings are derived from publicly available national- and state-level data from sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), National Census Bureau, Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) and company financial filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Southern California, Washington’s Puget Sound and the Dallas/Ft. Worth area continue to be the nation’s leading regional aerospace/defense hubs, so it comes as no surprise that California, Washington and Texas are our top three states in this category, respectively, with  Washington and the Lone Star State nearly tied for second.

More than 162,000 workers are directly employed in the aerospace/defense industries in the Golden State. Washington, with 93,925 workings in this sector, edges out Texas’s total of 87,871. Florida and Arizona round out the top five.

According to the Deloitte report, Washington actually has higher employment in aerospace products and parts manufacturing than its giant neighbor to the south, but California leads in several other subsectors. The survey also reveals that Pennsylvania leads in military land vehicle manufacturing, while Texas produces the most artillery ammo.

Deloitte estimates that the U.S. aerospace and defense industry directly employed 1.05 million workers in 2010. These workers received $84.2 billion in wages and paid $15.4 billion in Federal individual income taxes, and $1.9 billion in state individual income taxes. The U.S. government employs an estimated 845,198 aerospace and defense skilled workers at armed forces maintenance and repair depots, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration and other defense agencies including Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and civilians working at the Department of Defense.

Deloitte found the industry has an estimated indirect and induced employment of 2.36 jobs for every 1 directly employed. The industry also has a large contribution to the U.S. economy, responsible for fully 2.23 percent of GDP and 7.0 percent of exports in 2010. With direct, indirect and induced employment of 3.53 million jobs spread over the entire U.S., as well as contributing an estimated $37.8 billion in tax collections benefiting local communities, state treasury coffers and the federal government, this industry is central to the U.S. economy and our largest net exporter, contributing $89.6 billion to U.S. exports, with a large portion made up of commercial aircraft bound for foreign carriers.

LA’s Faststart, Georgia’s Quick Start Tops In Training
As in 2011, innovative programs in Louisiana and Georgia are the cream of the crop among Workforce Training Leaders in our 2012 State Rankings Report. Workforce training programs in Louisiana and Georgia again finished first and second, respectively, in this category, which has grown in importance as the need for skilled workers has become an urgent priority across the U.S.

“Louisiana’s FastStart continues to be the gold standard for workforce training programs, which increasingly are an essential element in successful economic development projects,” Rogers said. “Businesses relocating to Louisiana can be certain they will have strong support from the state in acquiring and training skilled workers.”

Rounding out the top five in our Workforce Training Leaders category are Florida, New Mexico and North Carolina.

To date, FastStart has completed nearly 70 major projects for expanding companies in Louisiana. The projects touch a variety of sectors, from agribusiness to digital media software development and corporate headquarters expansions. Often, the program becomes the key reason why companies choose to expand or relocate in Louisiana rather than another state or nation.

FastStart, which is run by Louisiana Economic Development (LED), was launched in 2008 to help attract and develop workers for new projects. One of its first successes was helping convince Gardner Denver Inc. to not close its Thomas Products Division plant in Louisiana, but rather to expand it by moving production from Wisconsin.

LED FastStart became the key factor in convincing Gardner Denver to keep its Louisiana plant open, retaining 70 jobs and adding 200 new positions.

As part of a strategic incentive package, FastStart hosted job fairs and open houses in Monroe to build interest in the new jobs, and the FastStart team traveled to Wisconsin, where they performed key business analysis—defining behavior and competency requirements for the new jobs—and documented essential steps needed for a seamless transition from Wisconsin to Louisiana.

Caterpillar, Baxter International, Outdoor Network LLC, NCR, Kia Motors and ZF Industries all have identified Georgia’s Quick Start program as a key reason for choosing to locate their facilities in the state.

Quick Start provides intensive, specified training to give companies the skilled employees they need to open quickly and run efficiently. These services come at no cost to qualified new companies or those adding new jobs or technology. The basic rule is that manufacturers can receive Quick Start benefits if they create at least 15 jobs over a 12-month period.

California, NJ, PA Are Biotech Behemoths
As previously indicated, we decided to break out Biotechnology Strength ranking into Employment, Specialization and Emerging Biotech Hubs categories.

California—the “birthplace of biotech” and home to nearly a third of the industry—dominates the employment ranking, followed by perennial pharmaceuticals powerhouse New Jersey.

New Jersey recently increased its research and development tax credit program from 50 percent to 100 percent, providing technology companies additional yield on their investments in NJ. Gov. Chris Christie was named BIO’s Governor of the Year at this year’s international BIO convention in Boston.

“Despite increasing competition from emerging high-tech hubs across the nation, New Jersey has maintained its long-time status as a biotechnology powerhouse and set in place a diversified strategy that will ensure continued growth in this critical sector moving forward,” Rogers said.

*Number of subsectors in which state has employment specialization. Leaders NJ and IN have strong specialized employment in 4 of 5 sectors.

“The Garden State has supplemented its traditional leadership in pharmaceuticals with strong specialized employment across nearly all biotech sub sectors. A biotech ‘brain belt’ in the middle of the state offers an unmatched pool of skilled workers. This talent-packed workforce, along with generous R&D incentives, will keep New Jersey in the top tier for years to come.”

Since 2010, New Jersey has assisted nearly 100 life sciences companies, including 30 as retention or expansion projects. In addition to creating and supporting over 8,000 jobs, these retention and expansion projects will inject an estimated $507 million of private investment into NJ’s economy.

New Jersey’s life sciences sector employs more than 122,000 people, which is nearly four percent of the state’s private sector employment as of the third quarter of 2011. In 2010, New Jersey’s life sciences employers paid more than $14 billion in wages, or 8.1 percent of the state’s total private sector wages. The average annual wage was $114,757, which was 106 percent higher than the state’s total private sector average annual wage of $55,736 (NJ also is one of our top-ranked states in Per Capita Income). Pharmaceutical companies comprised 43.8 percent of New Jersey’s life science establishments in 2010.  Biotechnology companies account for 34.6 percent and medical device companies account for 21.6 percent.

The top five in our Biotechnology Strength—Employment category is rounded out by Pennsylvania, Illinois and Texas, respectively.

Every two years, the BIO/Battelle report provides us with a repository of rich data that we use to develop our biotech rankings. The Specialization Leaders ranking in our 2012 report is drawn from BIO/Battelle’s finding that New Jersey and Indiana stand alone as the only states with specialized employment clusters in four of the five biotech sub sectors tracked by the industry report.

As always, we also have kept our eyes peeled for tomorrow’s biotech leaders. Our Emerging Biotech Hubs categories include a bevy of states that have made a strategic investment in developing biotech as a critical growth sector. This year’s leaders among the emerging players are Utah, Virginia, Arizona, Iowa and Kansas.

2012 Alternative Energy Industry Leader: Iowa
Every year, we continue to recalibrate our flagship Alternative Energy Leaders category to factor in a diverse range of state initiatives and the increased availability of reliable data tracking the growth across all renewable sectors, including wind, solar, bioenergy and hydropower.

Our top-ranked state in alt energy for 2012 is Iowa, which has established itself as the nation’s wind power manufacturing hub with a cluster of global leaders in the production of wind-turbine components.

Iowa ranked number two in the nation in our Installed Wind Power Capacity (4,419 megawatts) and Wind Power as a Percentage of Overall Energy (18.8 percent) categories. The Hawkeye State also was the top-ranked state in our Biofuels Leaders—Ethanol category.

Iowa became one of the first states in the nation to adopt a renewable energy standard in 1983, and since then the wind power industry in Iowa has generated almost $5 billion in investment, including the 440 MW Rolling Hills Wind Farm in the southwestern part of the state.

The Environmental Law and Policy Center’s (ELPC) analysis shows 80 companies that are part of the Iowa wind industry supply chain, including seven international wind turbine manufacturers. Iowa’s wind industry supports more than 2,300 manufacturing jobs.

Several factors have helped Iowa become a leading wind energy generator and component manufacturer, including, business development resources and tax incentives. Iowa has made a significant commitment to developing and retaining renewable energy jobs through the Office of Energy Independence and its $100-million Iowa Power Fund, which is designed to encourage research and development and innovation. The Iowa Values Fund also is a funding source for projects focused on job creation or retention in the state.

Iowa has been aggressive in offering tax credits to encourage development in the alternative energy sector, including the New Jobs Tax Credit, the High Quality Jobs Program and Investor Tax credits.

Perhaps the most critical factor enabling the successful establishment of a burgeoning wind energy manufacturing cluster is Iowa’s excellent multimodal transportation system. As the wind energy sector developed in the U.S. during the past few years, turbine makers quickly realized they needed to produce the huge components for turbine installations (some of which can stand as high as 400 feet) close to the U.S. wind corridor, which runs across Iowa.

Iowa’s central location and transportation infrastructure make it a primary location for manufacturers to ship and receive wind components. The Iowa Department of Transportation works closely with the Iowa Department of Economic Development to attract wind energy manufacturers by streamlining permitting, overcoming transportation constraints and making staff available to discuss freight movements and logistics.

Global leaders in wind turbine manufacturing who have established facilities in Iowa include Vestas (Ventura, IA), Acciona (West Branch, IA) and Siemens (Fort Madison, IA).

Rounding out the top five in our flagship Alternative Energy Industry Leaders category are Arizona, Texas, Oregon and California.

California still rules the roost in Installed Solar Power Capacity. Hardly a week goes by without another announcement from the Golden State of a vast new solar farm project. Most of these mega-projects have been situated in the Mojave Desert not far from Los Angeles.

Google is funding BrightSource Energy’s solar farm in the Mojave Desert, which employs an Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System to produce solar energy by utilizing fields of heliostats to concentrate the sun’s rays. The concentrated rays are directed towards the top of a tower where a receiver converts the rays into steam that powers a traditional turbine and generator to make electricity.

The Ivanpah Power Tower will reach approximately 450 feet tall and will use 173,000 heliostats, each with two mirrors. By the time the plant is up and running in 2013, it will be producing 392 MW of solar energy.

While most people would expect California to be synonymous with solar power, our second-place ranking for Installed Solar Power Capacity may raise a few eyebrows among those who haven’t been closely tracking the race to the top in solar energy generation. Thanks to a forward-thinking state program that started incentivizing solar panel installations years ago, the Garden State has earned its top tier status in this category. New Jersey’s installations don’t rival the scale of the mega-farms in the western deserts, but with nine million residents in one of our most densely populated states, smaller installations add up to a large bundle of megawatts.

“When people think of installed solar power generation capacity, sun-drenched places like California, Arizona and New Mexico come to mind. This makes New Jersey’s achievement as a national leader in solar power installation—second only to California—even more impressive,” Rogers said.

“With strong state support for solar power and a forward-thinking program embraced by its largest utilities, New Jersey has proven that numerous smaller-scale solar installations with direct access to the existing power grid can match the huge desert solar farms out West, megawatt per megawatt. In solar power, it’s only the size of your imagination that counts. New Jersey dared to think big on solar when it wasn’t popular to do so, and now it’s a solar energy giant,” he added.

BF’s ‘Recovery Index’
In this year’s rankings report we’ve gone out of our way to supplement our traditional business rankings (including Best Business Climate, Economic Growth Potential and Best Business Tax Climate) with several categories that we are loosely calling the Business Facilities Recovery Index. These include Credit Quality, Most Business Start-Ups and Jobs Growth Leaders.

Not surprising, North Dakota is by far the nation’s jobs growth leader on a percentage basis (6.61 percent), while Arizona emerged as the state with the most business start-ups.

Business Facilities is pleased to congratulate all of the top-ranked states in our 2012 Rankings Report for a job well done.

METRO RANKINGS

The compilation of our annual Metro Rankings always is a challenge because at last count there were nearly 350 Metropolitan Statistical Areas in the U.S. Adding to the complexity, many MSAs are not restricted to the borders of cities and towns but also encompass the surrounding region Additionally, economic development programs often are promoted on a regional basis. Our preference when doing the Metro Rankings is to structure them as much as possible to permit the results to showcase individual locations. We’ve done our best to adhere to that standard.

Cincinnati has Lowest Cost of Doing Business
Cincinnati’s low costs for facility leasing, transportation and property taxes contributed significantly to its ranking as the least-costly location to do business in the United States among the 27 largest metro areas (all with populations exceeding 2 million), according to a study by KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm.

Atlanta was the second most cost-competitive location in the large-cities category, followed by Orlando, Tampa and Dallas-Fort Worth, which ranked third, fourth and fifth respectively. Other locations that performed well were Baltimore, St. Louis and Cleveland.

In our 2012 Metro Rankings Report, Cincinnati also was ranked ninth in Economic Growth Potential (less than 450,000 employment), seventh in Best Quality of Life and sixth among the Top 10 Manufacturing Cities.

KPMG’s Competitive Alternatives study provides a thorough biennial comparison of more than two dozen large metropolitan area business locations in the United States, offering a comprehensive guide for companies considering sites for their business operations. The KPMG study is particularly valuable for its measurement of significant factors that contribute to business operating costs and which often vary by location, including costs associated with taxes, labor, facilities, transportation and utilities.

KPMG’s 2012 Competitive Alternatives study measured 26 significant cost components in each market, including labor, taxes, real estate and utilities, as they apply to 19 industries over a 10-year analysis horizon. Information is also provided on a variety of non-cost components. The study enables companies to perform a “quick scan” of locations to determine which markets can offer an advantageous business environment.

The KPMG study reveals that Cincinnati had a cost index of 95.9, representing business costs 4.1 percent below the U.S. national baseline of 100.0. Cincinnati was followed closely by Atlanta at 96.2, Orlando at 96.3, Tampa at 96.4 and Dallas-Fort Worth at 96.5.

Atlanta’s ranking was driven by a very favorable effective income tax rate and competitive business operating costs in such areas as transportation, employee benefits, natural gas and factory leasing. Orlando benefited from very competitive costs for salaries and wages, and employee benefit plans. Tampa had the lowest labor costs of all the large U.S. cities, along with low downtown office leasing costs. Dallas-Fort Worth had particularly strong cost advantages for utilities and facilities, which contributed to the location’s ranking for lowest overall business operating costs among the large U.S. cities examined in the KPMG study.

Baltimore ranked sixth in the study with a cost index of 97.0, benefiting from the lowest suburban office lease costs among large cities and low property-based taxes. St. Louis and Cleveland followed Baltimore, both with a cost index of 97.1. St. Louis’ low costs for factory leasing and electricity contributed significantly to its ranking, while Cleveland benefited from low office lease costs.

KPMG’s baseline cost index (U.S. = 100.0) is defined as the average of business costs in the four largest U.S. metropolitan areas: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Dallas-Fort Worth.

Midland TX, Knoxville TN are Growth Centers
It is no wonder that expert after expert has recognized Midland,TX as having exceptional assets, the kind of assets that promote sustainable growth when other parts of the country are struggling with challenges. Midland, TX ranked second in our Economic Growth Potential (less than 450,000 employment) category.

Midland has amassed distinctions in recent years that include being ranked number one in both Inc.com’s list in overall and small cities categories and on the Milken Institute/Greenstreet Real Estate Partners’ “Best Performing Cities Index.”

Midland offers a retail trading zone population in excess of 350,000; rail service, a major interstate and two airports including Midland International Airport (MAF). The city also boasts the La Entrada Al Pacifico—a West Texas Trade Corridor between Mexico, Canada and the United States.

A well-educated workforce is essential in a competitive global environment, and workers must be able to update and expand their knowledge as new technology and ways of working evolve. Post-secondary and higher education resources are readily available in the Midland area to serve the community.

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin with an enrollment of 3,600 students offers bachelor’s and graduate degrees in business and technical areas, with an emphasis on segments that serve the Permian Basin oil and gas industry. Midland College, a level-two, comprehensive community college offers more than 50 fields of study, including programs in nursing, paralegal studies, aviation maintenance technology, aerospace manufacturing, oil and gas and wind-related technology. And, the Midland College Advanced Technology Center (ATC), a partnership of Midland College and Midland Independent School District, is designed to deliver technical workforce education programs, enabling residents to acquire technical skills and certifications.

Other workforce development resources in the Midland area include the Petroleum Professional Development Center, the Center for Energy and Economic Diversification, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, Workforce Solutions of Midland and MakeMidlandHome.com—an interactive website created to partner Midland Employers with Job Seekers by providing useful information.

Commercial service daily to eight major hubs, border entry with United States Customs, easy access to Interstate 20, plentiful land and buildings along with business jet and a corporate airport with easy access to the Central Business District means there is room for aggressive expansion in a strong market ready for new opportunities. Midland has a business park with acres of shovel-ready sites, some adjacent to runways for aviation-related industries, and numerous available sites for energy clusters, business and professional services, healthcare facilities, transportation and aviation, among other target industries in Midland.

Midland’s Central Business District (CDB) has over five million square feet of multi-tenant office space. Under the leadership of the MDC, the Downtown Midland Management District and Tax Increment Finance District Boards are aggressive in both the revitalization efforts of the CBD and bridging public-private partnerships.

Knoxville, TN earned our no. 10 ranking for Economic Growth Potential (less than 450,000 employment) and was eighth in our ranking of the Fastest Growing Cities.

“Our 2012 Metro Rankings results show that growth is synonymous with Knoxville,” Business
Facilities Editor in Chief Jack Rogers said. “Few cities can match the combination of assets the Tennessee city brings to the Knoxville-Oak Ridge Innovation Valley. Knoxville has all of the attributes that will enable it to be a growth center for years to come,” Rogers added. “With an influx of skilled workers and a world-class research infrastructure, we expect Knoxville to continue its upward climb in our key Metro Rankings categories.”

When it became clear that a huge portion of the federal stimulus effort was earmarked for research and development of alternative-energy and energy efficiency-related projects, the Knoxville, TN area was ready. It declared itself the Knoxville-Oak Ridge Innovation Valley, bringing researchers from Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the University of Tennessee/Knoxville together in ambitious effort to establish the region as a primary alternative energy hub.

Improved LED lights, high tech air filtration systems and lighter, stronger and easier-to-ship materials—all developed locally—are fueling a promising, and increasingly green, future for the Knoxville-Oak Ridge Innovation Valley.

Entrepreneurs and local companies in the Innovation Valley economic development region are working closely with researchers at ORNL, the Department of Energy’s Y-12 facility in Oak Ridge and the University of Tennessee/Knoxville.

Technology transfer also is at work locally at Industrial Ceramic Solutions, which produces ceramic fiber filters for industrial and diesel exhaust applications. The company, headed by former Oak Ridge materials research scientist Dick Nixdorf, is developing high-performance reinforcement fibers to improve durability of combustion chamber liners in coal-fired power plants. Nixdorf’s company also works with bon nanotubes, which could improve fuel cells and lithium. The underlying technology developed was a joint effort by ORNL and Y-12.

The synergies between research and the region’s economy are perhaps best symbolized by the ORNL lab director’s chairmanship of the Knoxville-Oak Ridge Innovation Valley economic development partnership and by such events as the Technology Resource Showcase, which has connected local researchers and their innovative technologies with local companies.

“I believe in the adage, ‘companies innovate or they die’,” said Jesse Smith, technical director for the Innovation Valley partnership. “We ask companies, why would you want to be anywhere else? What better way that to tap into DOE’s largest energy materials lab and the innovative products coming out of Y-12 and the many collaborative efforts with a major university?”

Also fueling growth in the area is increased demand for centrifuges produced at a site in Oak Ridge shared by USEC Inc. and its manufacturing partner, Babcock & Wilcox Co. Toshiba Corp. and Babcock & Wilcox Investment Co., an affiliate of Babcock & Wilcox Co., have signed a definitive long-term agreement to a three-phased investment of $200 million in USEC.

Charlotte NC: Rising Quickly
Charlotte, NC earned the top ranking in our Fastest Growing Cities category. It seems like a week doesn’t go by without some major economic development news out of the Charlotte, NC region. A skilled workforce and aggressive state programs to support relocations and new facilities are reaping a whirlwind of job-creating activity in this part of the Tarheel State. For example, tire giant Michelin North America invested $11.3 million to expand its aviation tire operations in Norwood, NC.

Center City is the central employment district for Charlotte, with businesses that range from design firms and retail shops in Historic South End to the government centers and financial, insurance, real estate, engineering and legal services companies that populate the growing skyline of Uptown Charlotte.

More than $6 billion in investment is anticipated by the end of the decade for this vibrant district, which already employs 70,000 workers in Uptown and South End. The Center is being transformed into a thriving urban neighborhood and national destination. There are four major office towers under construction, mid- and high-rise condos as well as transit-oriented development with condos and apartments are popping up along the LYNX Blue Line. There also is a growing list of tourism assets, including the Wachovia Cultural Campus and the extremely popular NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Directly across from the Charlotte Convention Center and NASCAR Hall of Fame, stretching nearly down to Duke Energy’s new office tower, sits what may be the largest piece of prime, undeveloped land in the heart of a major Eastern U.S. city.

More than 14 acres of land, now covered with neatly manicured lawns, is available adjacent to Charlotte’s thriving hub. The land has been divided into five parcels for development: a 3.68-acre parcel adjacent to a light-rail station and gateway, across from the convention center; 3.75 acres at south gateway, across from the NASCAR museum; a 2.68 parcel with easy access to highway and exiting traffic; 1.8 acres south of I-277; and 2.28 acres with street connections to nearby residential areas, retail and greenway.

All of the available parcels have Uptown Mixed Use District zoning and unlimited floor area ratio (FAR). Unlimited FAR and building height means there’s basically no limit on the size of buildings that may be constructed on the site. The land currently is all city owned.

The city is actively soliciting proposals from retail, office and residential buyer/developers, who in turn would secure tenants for their developments. A deal was reached last year for a 250-unit apartment tower on one of the parcels.

Developers of these prime parcels will get close assess to the inner belt loop of Charlotte’s interstate highways, while being within walking distance of the Queen City’s cultural gems and business heart. The parcels are three blocks from the Levine Cultural Campus, which includes three museums and a performance hall.

Center City is a thriving and diverse urban neighborhood with more than 13,000 residents. Its neighborhoods boast gleaming, high-rise condos, stately turn-of-the-century Victorian homes, apartments, town homes and houses for singles and growing families. More than 25-million visitors come to Center City to visit 120 restaurants and 50 nightspots, the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium and Charlotte Bobcats at the Time Warner Cable Arena as well as cultural venues including the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, Discovery Place and ImaginOn, and the Mint Museum of Craft and Design.

Indianapolis: Crossroads of the U.S.
In our 2012 Metro Rankings Report, Indianapolis made the top 10 in three categories: Economic Growth Potential (employment greater than 450,000), Logistics Leaders (Air Cargo Hubs) and Top 10 Manufacturing Cities.

Indianapolis used to be the quintessential Rust Belt city. Now it’s at the center of a statewide boom in the life-sciences sector and rapidly is establishing itself as one of the Midwest’s leading transportation hubs.

A rapidly growing life sciences industry has a $44-billion total impact on Indiana’s economy, according to a comprehensive report released by BioCrossroads. The report, based on data gathered by the Indiana Business Resource Center at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business, illustrates a decade of substantial growth and measurable progress across a wide range of nationally significant indicators.

For example, the report noted that in 2009, Indiana’s life sciences exports totaled $7.4 billion, ranking the third highest in the U. S., behind only California and Texas. The state has the third-highest life sciences employment concentration nationally and has seen a 21 percent increase in life sciences employment, adding more than 8,800 new jobs to the industry since 2002. More than 50,000 workers at 825 companies comprise four life sciences sub-sectors: medical devices and equipment; drugs and pharmaceuticals; research, testing and medical laboratories; and agricultural feedstock and chemicals.

Indiana’s health information technology sector contributes an additional 2,500 workers and 72 companies. The report also highlights the progress of Indiana’s life sciences companies in discovering and commercializing thousands of new products over the past decade. There were 2,226 U.S. Food and Drug Administration filings between 2005 and 2010—the Hoosier state had the ninth highest number of 510(k) applications with 1,821, and the 11th highest number of Premarket Approval applications with 405.

“There are three key components to having a thriving innovation cluster: the sector must be based on real assets, must draw substantial corporate and philanthropic investment and must be sustained by the investments of others who care about it,” said David Johnson, president and CEO of BioCrossroads, based in Indianapolis.

“Indiana has all of those elements working together. Compared to other states and regions, we have a significant competitive advantage because of our focus on cultivating a skilled workforce, engaged university and academic institutions, strong philanthropic support, novel public-private partnerships, access to capital and a positive business climate.”

Indianapolis, which is home to big names in the field such as Eli Lilly & Co. and health insurer WellPoint Inc., is leading the transformation. Corporations like these have added the lion’s share of the state’s new life-sciences jobs. Now, they’re helping smaller companies get off the ground, too—by spinning off new businesses as well as by backing independent start-ups. Eli Lilly, for instance, has contributed roughly $60 million to seed and venture funds that are supporting entrepreneurs.

Memphis, TN: Global Logistics Hub
Memphis, TN scored an impressive double play in this year’s rankings by grabbing the top slot in both our Metro and Global Logistics Leaders (Air Cargo Hubs) rankings.

The FedEx hub was placed in Memphis because of the city’s central location, the availability of the workforce, a strong relationship with the local airport authorities and generous economic incentive programs.These qualities have fueled major FedEx expansions in the Memphis area, including a facility in Collierville, TN.

The Memphis region has a variety of headquartered companies primarily located in the Metro area. In addition to FedEx and AutoZone, (two Fortune 500 headquarters) are Dunavant Enterprises and International Paper, two recognized Forbes “private 500” companies. Additionally, Sparks is the largest commodity trader in the world, Morgan Keegan is one of the largest investment bankers, Belz Enterprises is one of the nation’s leading development companies, The Kemmons Wilson Companies (founder of Holiday Inn) also is a major privately held company located in Memphis.

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the region’s medical centers provide the necessary research and training to build and support economic activity in the bio-med health sciences field. Together, these institutions enable business incubation and startups to be facilitated. An example is the TriStar incubator, a private research facility created by UTHSC.

Memphis bills itself as “America’s Aerotropolis,” a moniker it has trademarked as the leading aerotropolis in North America.

“In many communities the idea of the aerotropolis is aspirational, but in Memphis it’s reality,” says Arnold Perl, chairman of the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority Board.

“Since Memphis was first identified as the closest thing to an aerotropolis in North America by Dr. [John] Kasarda in an article in Fast Company magazine in 2006, the aerotropolis infrastructure has deepened and it has become much more integrated into our community’s strategic planning, ”The federal government has now recognized that the aerotropolis is a job incubator and has put aerotropolis language into both the Federal Aviation Reauthorization Act as well as the Highway Reauthorization bill. In the past year, a HUD grant was provided to Memphis to enable creation of the first formal master plan for the aerotropolis. That plan will provide greater alignment and a sense of purpose for where we are headed.”

The Memphis aerotropolis is now recognized as a global “airport city.” But Memphis is not resting on its laurels. Instead, regional economic developers have come together to make significant improvements to the airport’s entire transportation infrastructure.

“If we listed some of the improvements we made in the past few years, we’ve spent about $65 billion on transportation projects,” says Dexter Muller, senior VP of Community Development for the Greater Memphis Chamber (GMC). “We have four workgroups that work on the aerotropolis initiative here: transportation and access; master planning and redevelopment; gateways and beautification; and marketing and branding. Every year we try to move projects in those areas forward.”

Some of the forward progress that was made over the last 18 months includes:

• Access to $56 million in funding to complete an outer loop in the next two years to facilitate freight movement by truck
• Completing an environmental impact study to build “The Southern Gateway,” an intermodal bridge across the Mississippi river with lanes for trucks and passengers and also rail
• Approval to complete building the highway 78 corridor that will connect Memphis to Interstate 22, which will connect it with Birmingham, AL. “The highway 78 corridor is one of our highest priorities,” says Muller, “We’ve got approx. 60 to 75 billion square feet of industrial space around that corridor and it’s right near where the Burlington Northern Railroad has just built their new intermodal yard that will triple the capacity that they have here. So that’s kind of ground zero for our industrial development. So everything’s been approved around it and we are ready to go for right-of-way acquisition on it.”
• Completion of a new interchange modification study from the state transportation department. Memphis now has a final design that’s been accepted by the Federal Highway Administration
• Completion of a landscape master plan; for the first phase, the Memphis City Council appropriated $1.2 million to plant about 2,000 trees as part of their gateway beautification plan. “We also had a consulting firm work on a gateway design plan for the eight entrances into the airport city area.

We’ve looked at each one of those to see what treatment we should have for them, so when you come into the area you know you’ve entered it. The marketing end of this is important to us [in order to communicate] our branding to everyone, because we want people to know this is our air city, this is our aerotropolis,” says Muller.

Memphis signed a memorandum of understanding with another leading aerotropolis, Charles De Gaulle Airport [and the Invest in Paris agency] in France to do joint marketing to ensure that when they have companies in Europe who want to do business in the U.S., Memphis is their point of contact.

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The successful integration of emerging Europe has led to spillover effects between advanced and emerging Europe economies. Emerging Europe keeps advanced Europe’s exports up. Production chains have become integrated across borders and advanced European banks have come to dominate emerging Europe’s banking systems. As much as both regions benefit from the interaction, they are affected by shocks in one or the other region. Spillovers travel both ways.

NEED FOR GROWTH CRITICAL

IMW estimates forecast a 1.3 percent growth of real economic activity in advanced Europe in 2012. Overall, growth is slightly decreasing by 0.4 percent. In fact, some economies are faring much better than others. Some are hindered by high private indebtedness, a burst in asset prices, funding difficulties and lost competitiveness. At the same time others, such as Sweden or Germany, “free from major imbalances, took advantage of their strong initial competitiveness positions,” are barely affected by the turmoil in the euro area periphery, the IMW report states. Germany’s GDP is rising, unemployment is down, interest rates are low and businesses and consumers are giving encouraging signs on the whole. But again, “the health of the economies across Europe is very closely tied to our own economic development,” Robert Justin Scheid, manager at Germany Trade and Invest (gtai) says. In both investments in Germany and trade of goods and services, Europe is indispensable for growth in the country. 75 % of Germany’s exports remain within Europe.

Is it even attractive for an American company to invest right now in post-crises Europe? “Clearly yes,” Scheid says, and he continues by making a case in point: “Germany has proven itself a safe haven for investment.” It is the largest market on the continent, a prime location between Eastern and Western Europe, and outstanding investment conditions. Also, other European countries have rebounded. (see interview, p. 26)

Yet there are others like Portugal and Greece that suffer from severe structural unemployment and still remain in recession. IMF states that in Italy and Spain, higher interest costs on the sovereign debt, front-loaded fiscal adjustment and increased tensions surrounding banks will constitute additional drags on already soft activity.

“We need to boost growth in Europe,” Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, said in his May message. And he continues: “We are delivering a robust response to the crisis by repairing our banking system, strengthening our economic governance, setting up credible financial firewalls and providing unprecedented solidarity to Member States in difficulty.” Crisis management in the euro area needs to go beyond ensuring stability but it needs to focus on growth. No matter if it is emerging Europe or advanced Europe, regions need to focus on their economic strength in their efforts to gain investment. Both, foreign investors and European regions profit: Europe is a secure investment and at the same time needs foreign investment to further grow.

BELGIUM BIG ON R&D

Belgium has the same size as Maryland. Like Maryland, Belgium is also home of a capital, namely Europe’s capital, Brussels. Unlike Maryland, however, Belgium is home of three language communities: The Dutch-speaking Flemish Community, the French-speaking Wallonia-Brussels Federation and a small German-speaking population. Despite its diversity, the three main regions, the Flemish, Walloon and Brussels-Capital Region have one thing in common: They share great opportunities for innovation and research and development activities for U.S. companies.

In fact, the Belgian innovation system is among the best in the world. The latest figures from OECD show that Belgium has the fourth largest global technological advantage in biotechnology, just to give an example.

There are a variety of tax incentives for research and development activities, such as investment deduction for research and development related investments and patents. A 15.5 percent tax deduction of the investment value of assets which aim to promote research and development of new products and advanced technologies that are environment friendly or of patents is only one example of many. 80 percent tax exemption of patent income for patents and supplementary protection certificates are yet another example. Tax incentives are attractive on the research side as well as on the labor cost side—there is, e.g. a reduction of employment costs for expatriates.

Philippe Gabant, Director of Business Development and founder of Delphi Gentics, says: “Belgium is a Monaco for patents.” This is because tax deduction on patent income is a federal measure that allows up to 80 percent of exemptions for income from certain patents. The measure applies not only to Belgian companies that are subject to corporate tax but also to all Belgian branches of foreign companies.

The U.S. business community has taken note of these advantages. The U.S. has maintained its position as one of Belgium’s largest employers in the field of innovation oriented companies.

Just a year ago, Deltek, headquartered in Virginia, opened a new office in Diegem, which is located near Brussels. Deltek produces enterprise software solutions. A local presence was core to the U.S. company. “Belgium is a key region in the European market,” Patrick Smith, Vice President, Corporate Marketing and Communications at Deltek, says. Because Belgium is located in the heart of Europe, it “offers the opportunity to work in French as well as in Dutch as an example, and thus is an important step towards possible future European expansion plans,” he says. And Belgian prospects value efforts to understand their language and culture.

Yet, the market is also challenging. Despite the size of the country is small, there are various cultural influences which need to be addressed. “We need to have a separate approach in each region,” is the experience that Patrick Smith has made. “You need to be well informed on the leading language in the companies you communicate with, or the language your business partner prefers.” And he adds: “It is a matter of respect which we try to provide with utmost care.”

For Deltek, the multi-lingual approach in Belgium is a challenge. Marketing material, for example, needs to be in Dutch and French. Needless to say, scalability becomes an issue because it is more expensive to do everything in two or even three languages. Despite these challenges, Deltek is absolutely content with their Belgium investment. They would “certainly” do it again.

More recently, Dow Corning, headquartered in Michigan, has announced the completion of its new state-of-the-art research and development facility in Seneffe, Belgium. Dow Corning is a global leader in silicones, silicon-based technology and innovation. The new research and development facility includes a Solar Application Center and a Silicone Synthesis Technology Center. The $13-million investment aims to advance research in new silicon-based materials and solar cell efficiency. Dr. Gregg A. Zank, vice president and CTO of Dow Corning, says: “This investment will accelerate innovation and growth,” and he adds that “by having this facility in Belgium, we will have access to very talented scientific people throughout Europe to work collaboratively on sound science and technology to develop sustainable products and applications for our customers.”

More U.S. investments continue to arrive in Belgium. Baxter International announced that it is investing 50 million euro in the construction of a new manufacturing facility in Lessines. Baxter is thus expanding its existing production complex. The facility is to begin manufacturing in 2014, thus creating 50 new jobs. In Lessines, Baxter will be producing a new innovative drug used in the treatment of a rare form of emphysema.

Lessines is a Walloon municipality located in the province of Hainaut. Each Region in Belgium stimulates investments in research and development on its own territory whereas the Federal State stimulates the national research and development policy. Wallonia ranks high among the knowledge regions, thanks to six clusters—networks, that interlink business and science to encourage innovation. A consortium of public and private players works together in order to create the technology of tomorrow. The most important regional clusters include aeronautics and space (Skywin), agrifood (Wagralim), life sciences (Biowin), Transport and logistics (Logistics in Wallonia), mechanical engineering (Mecatech) and environmental technologies (GreenWin).

In order to activate innovation, the Region of Flanders has chosen a similar way as Wallonia. The region is home to four Strategic Research Centers which, like the clusters in Wallonia, support collaboration in the academic and business field. One of the four main Research Centers is IBBT, Flanders’ research institute for information and communication technology, and broadband. Second, the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), a contract research and consulting center operating in the fields of energy, environmental and material technology as well as in industrial product and process technologies.

Third, the IMEC, which focuses on nanoelectronics and nanotechnology. IMEC is the leading European independent research center in micro- and nanoelectronics, nanotechnology, design methods and technologies for ICT systems. What will be seen in practice in ten years is already being run in Belgium today. Here, the world’s leading integrated device manufacturers, equipment and material suppliers, system houses and electronic design automation vendors collaborate. At Imec, close to 2.000 people are employed, including over 600 industrial residents and guest researchers. To intensify US-Belgium research activities in the field of nanobiotech, relations to John Hopkins University and Olin College, both of which are based in Boston, are supposed to be increased.

Yet another case in point of such a regional research asset is the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB). This entrepreneurial research institute conducts strategic basic research in life sciences, including molecular biology, cell biology, developmental biology, structural biology, genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, genomics and proteomics. More than 1.200 scientists work at the center for life sciences. VIB is funded by the Flemish regional government and it works together with four universities. More specifically, it collaborates with UGent, K.U.Leuven, the University of Antwerp and Vrije Universiteit Brussel.

Next to Wallonia and Flanders, the third region in Belgium is the Brussels capital region. As became apparent, economic development is a regional matter in Belgium and Brussels’ capital focuses on life sciences. With its three main universities and five university hospitals where approximately 3.000 researchers work in the field of life sciences, it is a promising area for future research in the field of life sciences. In fact, over the past decade, collaborations between universities and industry have resulted in the foundation of several start-ups, as well as the commercialization of academic research.

The Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research has a branch in Brussels and it is renowned for its research in cancer immunology and cancer genetics. Furthermore, the University Catholique de Louvain-la-Neuve (UCL) focuses on several areas. Academic excellence can be found in the fields of bioengineering, microbiology, cell biology, immunology, molecular biology as well as pharmacology and pharmacy. More than 200 work groups are centered around these fields.

The most important research fields at the University Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) are molecular biology, oncology, immunology, pharmaceutical research and public health. However, research is always linked to industries. Therefore, ULB also manages industrial zones devoted to research.

Industrial research and development as well as technology transfer represent an increasingly important part of the university’s research activities. In the last few years the budget devoted to cooperation between the university and various industries has tripled. Plus, ULB has created specific contact points and manages scientific zones in Nivelles, Evere and Anderlecht, in order to better meet the needs of industry.

BERLIN IS A DIGITAL CENTER

And the winner is…Berlin: Twitter, the micro-blogging service, is moving to the German capital. This will be only the fourth Twitter office outside the U.S. “Twitter’s move to Berlin is an accolade for the capital. Berlin is becoming the European hub for the digital industry and is becoming more international through this link to Silicon Valley,” said Melanie Bähr, Berlin Partner’s Managing Director. Twitter announced its decision in early May at the Berlin Web Week, an event uniting re:publica, Germany’s largest and most well-known conference on blogs, social media and the digital society, and the digital industry conference NEXT Berlin, co-initiated by Berlin Partner and Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg. Twitter’s announcement demonstrates the Berlin Web Week’s importance.

Berlin is not merely the coordinator for events; the city boasts a vibrant and up-and-coming start-up scene—precisely what makes the city desirable for investors.

For example, Ashton Kutcher and a group of individuals invested $1.2 million in the Berlin Gidsy company. Gidsy was founded in 2011 in Berlin as a platform for marketing recreation activities. Offers can be booked in Berlin, but also in New York, Amsterdam, San Francisco and London. Gidsy will use the investment to continue to expand worldwide. It’s not Kutcher’s first investment in Berlin: He previously supported Amen and Soundcloud, two influential start-ups. Soundcloud, the audio platform, began this year with a fresh investment of 50 million euros from U.S. venture capital companies.

Skype’s founder, Niklas Zennström, has also been active in Berlin. He, along with his investment company Atomico, bought in to the Berlin software company 6Wunderkinder, which provides productivity software.

Similarly, the Russian investors Ru-Net and Kite-Ventures have invested in Lieferheld and Delivery Hero, which are portals for ordering food online. Eight million euros have been secured in the third round of financing.

Earlybird Germany, which has recently compiled $200 million for a venture fund for Internet start-ups, also shows a promising commitment to the city.

Furthermore, Berlin is home to the Wooga start-up, which is the second largest games developer for Facebook.

Berlin also leads Germany as the place to open new Internet companies. In 2011, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry registered 509 new companies in the computer sector. Well-known e-commerce companies like Zalando, mirapodo, brands4friends, reBuy, momox and MisterSpex are already based in the capital. Amazon’s present, too—with a customer service center in Berlin.

Berlin’s digital industry is gaining in recognition and significance. A recent article on Techcrunch.com, one of the most respected sector blogs, was titled “Berlin: The Birth Place of The Next Facebook.”

Companies interested in moving to Berlin have a competent partner in the capital: The state of Berlin’s economic development corporation, Berlin Partner. It assists investors in locating to the city and answers questions on trade, securing sites and expansion for Berlin’s local companies. As a public private partnership, Berlin Partner enjoys support from more than 170 private companies. Berlin’s state government has commissioned Berlin Partner with the location marketing for the city, as well. True to its motto “we enable growth,” Berlin Partner offers customized, individualized service packages to assist investors and businesses in the capital. These packages range from helping companies test the city and its market for a few months, to consultations on funding and financing opportunities, to assistance with real estate options and ultimately support with recruiting the right employees.

Berlin Partner concentrates on promoting the city’s particularly dynamic clusters: Service Industries, Photonics, Energy Technologies and Mobility, Life Sciences and the Healthcare Industries and also ICT, Media and Creative Technologies. These future-oriented sectors with global market potential underscore Berlin’s advantages as a strong economic location.

The Business Location Center is an important instrument for learning more: It is both a showroom and an online portal for information. It provides sector data and insight on the city’s advantages, displays real estate offers and offers planning data. It utilizes a 3D model of the city to demonstrate the location of possible business sites and a Solar Atlas, which maps out the solar energy potential for every building in the city.

To check out the free, comprehensive service available from the center visit www.businesslocationcenter.de.

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Built on the rubber and tire industry, Greater Akron is expanding its economic base to include investment in medical devices, polymers and liquid crystal applications.

By Tonya Porter
From the May/June 2012 issue

Northeast Ohio is a special place, with many opportunities for companies to grow and prosper, and many advantages for its residents to enjoy. More than 4.1 million people currently live in the region, at a cost of living that is up to 20 percent below the national average.

Northeast Ohio is strong in several key industries including polymers, liquid crystal displays, chemicals, bioscience, fuel cells, distribution and logistics.

The climate is right for business in Northeast Ohio. Supported by the State of Ohio’s new tax structure and millions of dollars invested in technology, education and workforce development, the Northeast Ohio region offers all the elements of success in today’s global marketplace. Ohio offers the third-lowest tax rate in the nation, according to a report released in April 2011 by Ernst & Young LLP and the Council On State Taxation (COST).

Historically a global leader in manufacturing, Northeast Ohio is transitioning to the 21st century knowledge economy. Access to markets is a key advantage of the area: The region is within a 500 mile radius of 41 percent of all U.S. households, 55 percent of all U.S. manufacturing facilities, 58 percent of the top 500 U.S. industrial headquarters, and 56 percent of the top 500 U.S. service corporate headquarters. Five major U.S. interstate highways intersect the area providing continuous roadways for the region’s numerous over-the-road freight companies.

Greater Akron: A Vertically Integrated Phenomenon

Greater Akron: a phenomenon, a distinct competitive advantage and a unique combination of strengths. A booming technology region nestled among more than 40,000 acres of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, with abundant resources for arts and recreation—Akron has what it takes to bring out the best in businesses and people alike.

The Greater Akron region, comprised of Summit, Portage and Medina counties, is rich in history, commerce, industry and culture. Greater Akron is home to more than 21,000 enterprises, including more than 150 Fortune 500 companies. In recent years, more than $2.5 billion in private capital has flowed into new plants and plant expansions, a testament to the value of the region’s economic and business climate in growing businesses.

Greater Akron is one of the few vertically integrated metropolitan areas in the country, which means that an idea can progress from inception to distribution using local resources exclusively. The region benefits from a unique ethos of collaboration. The city of Akron, Summit County, Portage County and the Greater Akron Chamber all work together to create opportunity in a cooperative spirit that does not exist in many other metropolitan areas. Rapidly growing science, medical and technical industries weave seamlessly into thousands of acres of park lands. Global business interests flourish alongside local businesses and leafy, tightly knit neighborhoods.

Akron has been ranked no. 2 among metros with populations of 200,000 to 1 million for new business expansions. Bridgestone Americas built a $100 million technical center adjacent to its Akron operations that will keep 1,000 employees in Akron. For more than 110 years, the world and North American headquarters of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company has been located in Akron; now a $900 million development will be anchored by Goodyear’s new 450,000 square foot world headquarters and include ½ million square feet of office, retail and residential space.

Akron, in the heart of Summit County, is within a 500-mile radius of 42 major U.S. cities and encompasses 55% of all U.S. manufacturing plants, 57% of the U.S. population, 60% of America’s buying power, and 65% of Canada’s economic activity. The region has one of the largest concentrations of polymerrelated industries in the world, with more than 400 polymer related companies and close to 35,000 employees.

Akron is home to three of the region’s top medical centers and close to the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic. A public- and private-sector partnership in October 2008 launched the Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron to capitalize on our city’s longstanding strengths in research, education and health care, with the goal of creating a nationally distinctive center of excellence for biomaterials and medicine.

Marking the region as a major educational center, more than 30 universities and colleges are within a 50-mile radius of Greater Akron. The University of Akron provides direct research education in the polymer industry and Kent State University’s Liquid Crystal Institute provides the most comprehensive research and education in the field of liquid crystal technology.

Akron is in the heart of Northeastern Ohio, a 4 million-population region that is home to major league sports in baseball, football and basketball and hosts a major pro golf event. It has Cuyahoga Valley National Park—Ohio’s only national park and one of the most visited parks in the National Park system—as well metro and state parks, the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail and Canalway National Heritage Area, and Blossom Music Center, summer home of the Cleveland Orchestra. NE Ohio offers such cultural treasures as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, renowned art museums and a host of performing arts venues.

You can tour local wineries, sample the creations of internationally renowned chefs, expand your mind at university and cultural programs, and soak up the vibrant and varied nightlife. Not far away are the serenity of Amish Country and the recreational treasures of the Lake Erie shores and islands.

The University of Akron and Kent State University have created redevelopment Master Plans and are implementing their plans around eclectic, historical neighborhoods full of living, dining and entertainment possibilities, to return the areas around the University of Akron and Kent State University to traditional urban neighborhoods where interesting people live, great ideas thrive and community matters.

Youngstown Drives Growth

When it comes to new project wins and garnering international recognition for its revitalization, the list continually gets longer and longer for the Youngstown-Warren area. For many years, the “Mahoning Valley” epitomized the negative perception of the Rust Belt. Now the area is the center point of the revitalized Cleveland-Pittsburgh TechBelt, and the world is noticing. The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber reports that since 2008, economic development projects announced have resulted in an impressive $1.5 billion in investment, with 5,256 new jobs created and 7,855 jobs retained.

What is driving this growth? Companies have recognized that the Mahoning Valley has the optimal combination of excellent logistical infrastructure, lower cost of establishing operations and skilled workforce, particularly in advanced manufacturing.

One example of this is the Valley’s position at the gateway to both the Marcellus and Utica shale plays. This has attracted considerable investment in supply chain activity. V&M and VAM USA, both subsidiaries of Vallourec, have announced investments totaling more than $700 million for new plants to produce tubes and couplings associated with shale drilling. TMK Ipsco, Exterran, De-Cal and Weatherford have all decided to locate shale operations here, while companies like Dearing Compressor & Pump, JMC’s Wheatland Tube and Valley Electrical Consolidated have all increased their existing footprint.

One of the key reasons why the Valley has been winning these projects is the region’s one-stop shop mentality for prospective companies. Sarah Boyarko, vice-president of Economic Development, Business Retention and Expansion for the Chamber, acts as the key liaison when site selection RFPs are introduced to the area. From there, she introduces companies to state and local officials to create incentive packages and to other agencies and port authorities that can provide bond financing, SBA loan programs and customized workforce development programs for interested companies. “All the key players in the Mahoning Valley recognize that making the client’s life easier as they select a location gives us a distinct advantage,” states Boyarko. “We give the client the tools and options for them to make informed decisions, and that practice has had demonstrable results.”

Cuyahoga Valley Industrial Center: Cleveland’s Gem

Located in the heart of Cleveland’s industrial valley, the Cuyahoga Valley Industrial Center (CVIC) is the largest manufacturing development opportunity in the City of Cleveland in the last 50 years. To put it in context, the last time there was a development opportunity of this magnitude within the city’s limits, Clevelanders were busy celebrating their last major sports championship.

Beyond its historical significance, what characteristics make this site appealing for end users and/or developers? This unique site represents the City of Cleveland’s only opportunity for a developer or end user to locate a new 750,000 square foot manufacturing facility that would support 750 to 1,000 new jobs. It also offers end users and/or developers four key advantages: strong community investment and support, a strategic location with unparalleled logistics and access and a skilled workforce, high capacity infrastructure and eager transaction partners.

While opportunities for greenfield development abound throughout Ohio, the CVIC site offers end users and/or developers the unique opportunity to return more than 60 acres of urban land to a productive economic use. This opportunity has not gone unnoticed by industry and political leadership in the state and region. As a demonstration of the site’s considerable economic potential, the State of Ohio Department of Development supported the site preparation with both a Job Ready Site and 629 Infrastructure grant. Additionally, the City of Cleveland has demonstrated its commitment to the redevelopment through both financing and legislative support. In fact, the site recently received recognition as the 2011 Industrial Transaction of the Year from the Northern Ohio Chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP).

Offering more than 60 acres of shovel-ready land, the site’s industrial use is consistent with the surrounding uses. It aligns with the City of Cleveland’s long-term vision for the area, and represents a significant industrial development opportunity without environmental concerns. Furthermore, the site is strategically located within three miles of the city’s core and has ¾ of a mile of highway frontage on Interstate 77 between the Pershing Avenue and Fleet Avenue exits. This highway exposure would undoubtedly benefit those industries that desire high visibility, such as consumer products, electronics, and medical device manufacturing. In addition to its location along a major interstate, it has onsite Class-1 short line rail via Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway, providing access to both Norfolk Southern and CSX networks. Finally, through its location at the Greater Cleveland region’s core, the site offers immediate accessibility to the region’s turnkey industrial workforce and provides an end user an unmatched opportunity to leverage the area’s surrounding industrial firms, transportation infrastructure and skilled workforce. In addition, the region’s workforce development programs have been instrumental in Ohio’s position as the leader in the U.S. manufacturing sector recovery. In Cleveland, they still know how to make things.

Beyond the site’s advantages of its favorable standing with local leadership and strategic location are the improvements already completed. The CVIC site offers an end user or developer high capacity onsite utilities and considerable road improvements. In compliance with the Ohio Job Ready Site and 629 Infrastructure grant, the site has been improved with direct connection to all utilities at high industrial capacities and provides connectivity to ArcelorMittal’s steel complex and both Heidtman Steel’s and Steel Warehouse’s recently developed operations. The site is well positioned to accommodate a link in the existing steel supply chain, as well as the potential to attract suppliers for alternative energy initiatives (including the steel component manufacturers supplying the current booming oil and gas activity in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, wind turbine components, etc.) in need of direct input of steel materials and/or sea-based transportation (notwithstanding convenient rail and highway transportation) of supplies and products.

Additionally, the site is served by the following utilities and capacities:

• Water: City of Cleveland Water Dept.—30-in. line, 70-80 lbs./sq. in.
• Sewer: Northeast Ohio Sewer District–12-in. line, 1.1 to 1.6 million gallons/day
• Electric: Cleveland Public Power—6 megawatts
• Gas: Dominion East Ohio -20-in. line, 95 lbs./sq. inch

While the site’s three tangible benefits are clear, its fourth differentiator is equally critical to its development; the ease with which transaction partners can engage with local leadership. The site is owned by a nonprofit organization, the Greater Cleveland Community Improvement Corporation, which has a volunteer board of trustees comprised of three deeply experienced economic development professionals. The development team, Value Recovery Partners North Coast, is a joint venture of multi-disciplinary firms, including: Value Recovery Group, a government asset management firm based in Columbus, the state capital; Hull & Associates, a regional environmental engineering firm, headquartered in Ohio; and Allegro Realty Advisors, a global corporate real estate services firm headquartered in Cleveland. Based on the public financial partners, the ownership entity, and the project team, the site is positioned to receive meaningful attention and high priority cooperation from State, County, and municipal governments.

The team at Allegro Realty Advisors is well-versed on the site and eager to collaborate with a developer or end-user to develop the site, return it to an economically productive use, and extend the area’s rich manufacturing history into the future. For more information, contact Michael Cantor or Julia Iselin at 216-965-0630.

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