(This web page is for informational purposes only. Please contact the JEDC Business Development team or the individual organizations listed for detailed information and other eligibility requirements.)
There are many local, state and federal incentive programs which may be used to attract and retain companies that create quality jobs and invest private capital in Cecil Commerce Center. All incentives packages are negotiated on a case by case basis and are subject to JEDC, City Council and/or state approval.
The following are summaries of some of the most popular programs used at Cecil Commerce Center. Companies are encouraged to contact the JEDC Business Development team for further information on what programs may best fit their unique project.
Brownfield Redevelopment Bonus A pre-approved applicant may receive a tax refund equal to 20 percent of the average annual wage of the new jobs created in a designated brownfield area up to a maximum of $2,500 per new job created. Refunds are based upon taxes paid by the business, including corporate income, sales, ad valorem, intangible personal property, insurance premium, and certain other taxes. The applicant must be certified as a QTI business or demonstrate at least a $2 million fixed-capital investment in the Brownfield area. For more information regarding the Brownfield Redevelopment Bonus, contact the JEDC at (904) 630-1906.
The Empowerment Zone and Brownfield area boundaries are the same. Click here to view a map of the Empowerment Zone area. (PDF - 626k) There are also many sites throughout Duval County which are designated Brownfields, but not inside the Brownfield area - including most of Cecil Commerce Center.
Capital Investment Tax Credit (CITC) Used to attract and grow capital-intensive industries in Florida. It is an annual credit, provided for up to twenty years, against the corporate income tax. The amount of the annual credit is based on the eligible capital costs associated with a qualifying project. 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.
Companies must apply prior to commencement of operations, operate within designated high impact portions of the following sectors: Life Sciences, Financial Services, Information Technology, Transportation Equipment Manufacturing, and Semiconductors; create at least 100 new jobs in Florida in connection with the project; and make a cumulative capital investment of at least $25 million in connection with the project during the period from the beginning of construction to the commencement of operations.
Economic Development Transportation Fund (EDTF) Designed to alleviate transportation problems that adversely impact a specific company's location or expansion decision. The elimination of the problem must serve as an inducement for a specific company's location, retention, or expansion project in Florida and create or retain job opportunities for Floridians.
An application must be made by the City of Jacksonville on behalf of the company. Up to $3,000,000 may be provided to a local government to implement the improvements. The actual amount funded is based on the cost of the necessary improvements and is limited to $5,000 per job created and/or retained. A waiver of the per-job limit may be granted if the project is located in an area experiencing severe economic distress.
High Impact Performance Incentive Grant (HIPI) Negotiated incentive used to attract and grow major high impact facilities in Florida. Grants are provided to pre-approved applicants in certain high-impact sectors as designated by the Governor's Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development (OTTED). In order to participate in the program, a company must apply to Enterprise Florida prior to making a decision to locate or expand in Florida.
In order to qualify for consideration under the program, an applicant must: operate within designated high impact portions of the following sectors: Life Sciences, Financial Services, Transportation Equipment Manufacturing, and Semiconductors; create at least 100 new full-time equivalent jobs in Florida in a designated high impact sector in a 3-year period; or if a research and development facility, create at least 75 new full-time equivalent jobs in a 3-year period; and make a cumulative investment in the state of at least $100 million in a 3-year period, or if a research and development facility, make a cumulative investment of at least $75 million in a 3-year period.
Qualified Target Industry (QTI) A tool available to Florida communities to encourage quality job growth in targeted high value-added businesses. Pre-approved applicants who create jobs in Florida receive tax refunds of $3,000 per net new full-time equivalent Florida job created; $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.
New or expanding businesses in selected targeted industries or corporate headquarters are eligible. 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.
In order to participate, a company must apply to Enterprise Florida (EFI) prior to making a decision to locate or expand in Florida. In order to qualify for consideration under the program, an applicant must among other items: be in a target industry; create at least 10 net new full-time equivalent Florida jobs and, if an expansion project, increase employment by at least 10 percent (whichever is greater). For a project located in the enterprise zone, the net increase in employment may be waived in special circumstances; pay an average annual wage that is at least 115 percent of the state, metropolitan statistical area (MSA), or the local average wages. For a project located in the designated brownfield area or an enterprise zone, the wage requirement may be waived in special circumstances.
Pre-approved QDSC projects receive tax refunds of up to $5,000 per job created or saved in Florida.
There is a cap of $7.5 million per single qualified applicant in all years and no more than $2.5 million in tax refunds may be received in any fiscal year. Among other requirements, businesses must pay 115 percent of the state average wage and secure a resolution for City of Jacksonville 20 percent matching financial support.
This program is used by the Governor in order to provide "deal closing" assistance for very competitive, high impact projects. The QACF is designed so the state can react quickly and with greater flexibility than most other incentive programs, providing upfront cash assistance.