Fort Myers/Lee County Enterprise Zone

Enterprise ZoneEnterprise Zone

• Areas targeted for economic revitalizationAreas targeted for economic revitalization

• Prior to 1995 two zones in Lee County (City of Prior to 1995 two zones in Lee County (City of Fort Myers, Lee County)Fort Myers, Lee County)

• 1995 joint application for one EZ – expired December 1995 joint application for one EZ – expired December 20052005

• Re-authorized by State as Fort Myers/Lee County Re-authorized by State as Fort Myers/Lee County Enterprise Zone January 2006 for 10 yearsEnterprise Zone January 2006 for 10 years

•Boundary change approved by State May 1, 2010Boundary change approved by State May 1, 2010

Enterprise ZoneEnterprise Zone

• County/City required to create public board (5 City, 4 County appointees)

• Business owner, chamber of commerce, city code enforcement, financial institution, insurance broker, non-profit community based organization, resident in EZ and local law enforcement

• Unemployment and poverty rate by census tracts qualifier for designated area

• 9.83 square mile area within boundaries of City and Lee County

ENTERPRISE ZONE BOUNDARY MAPENTERPRISE ZONE BOUNDARY MAP

Enterprise Zone Benefits

• Allows private businesses 6 state tax credits against corporate income taxes and/or state sales taxes

• Job credits, applicable to either corporate income or state sales taxes

• Sales tax refund for business machinery and equipment

• Sales tax refund for building materials to rehab real property or new construction located in the zone

• Community contribution tax credits against corporate income taxes

• Property tax credit against corporate income tax, up to $50,000, new/expanded business, 5 new jobs

Enterprise Zone Benefits

• City of Fort Myers Local Incentive

• 50% rebate each year on business tax receipt (formerly occupational license)

• 50 or 100% tax exemption against state sales tax on utilities and 50% abatement of municipal utility tax (up to 5 years), new/renovated structure

• Waiver of residential water & sewer impact fees for new single family dwelling

Enterprise Zone Benefits

• Lee County Local Incentives

• Waiver of residential impact fees for new single family dwelling (except schools)

• 100% property tax exemption for child care facility

Enterprise ZoneEnterprise Zone

EZ Board and EDO Responsibilities

Enterprise Zone BoardEnterprise Zone BoardGROUP REPRESENTED APPOINTED BY NAME

Business Owner Operating in EZ County Eugene S. Trefethen, Fox Electronics

Vice Chair (effective 10/2009)

Business Owner Operating in EZ County Bill Barnwell, Farmer’s Market Rest.

Community Representative City Leonardo Garcia

Financial Institution County Kenneth A. O’Donnell,

Bank of America

Chair (effective 10/2009)

Non-profit Community Based Org. City Thomas Scott, SWFL Enterprise Center

Resident in EZ City Janice Cass

City Code Enforcement City Michael Titmus

Local Law Enforcement County Lt. Charles Barnes, Lee County Sheriff’s Office

Insurance Broker City VACANT

EZ Board Responsibilities

• Assist in development, implementation and annual review, and update of measurable goals

• Business creation• Job creation• Private investment• Public awareness

EZ Board Responsibilities

• Oversee & monitor implementation of measurable goals, evaluate progress• Quarterly and annual reports (state, city council, county

commissioners)

• Identify & recommend to City/County ways to remove regulatory barriers

EZ Board Responsibilities

• Identify the needs of eligible EZ businesses & communicate to City/County

• Local resources

• Assistance available

EDO Responsibilities

• Administer EZ on behalf of BOCC & City Council

• Prepare Notices, minutes and host Board meetings

• Assure measurable goals are met• Tracking systems – City/County• Prepare quarterly reports• Present annual report for review & approval

EDO Responsibilities

• Market EZ to existing and new businesses

• Create brochures and distribute• Press releases• News stories• Mailings• Workshops, Seminars (SBDC)• Maintain available property in real estate database --

expansions/locations

EDO Responsibilities

• Provide technical assistance to individuals & businesses• Outreach visits

• Review and approve all applications for refund

EZ PROGRAM RESULTS

$22.1 M - capital Investment (1996-2009)

$1.3 M - business reimbursement (1996-2009)

$3.5 M - 3,281 businesses received impact fee & business tax receipt waivers (2005-2009 City of Fort Myers)

397 - new businesses (2005-2009)

4,337 - new jobs (2005-2009)

$39,245 - 5 businesses received state training grants (2007-2009)

7,242 - technical assistance to individuals & businesses through one-on-one, seminars, workshops, & mailings (2005-2009)

QUESTIONS? THANK YOU!