Enterprise Zones (Iowa)

Last modified on February 12, 2015.

EZFeed Policy

Place	Iowa
Name	Enterprise Zones (Iowa)
Policy Category	Financial Incentive
Policy Type	Enterprise Zone, Industry Recruitment/Support, Training/Technical Assistance
Affected Technologies	Biomass/Biogas, Coal with CCS, Concentrating Solar Power, Energy Storage, Fuel Cells, Geothermal Electric, Hydroelectric, Hydroelectric (Small), Natural Gas, Nuclear, Solar Photovoltaics, Wind energy
Active Policy	Yes
Implementing Sector	State/Province
Program Administrator	Iowa Economic Development Authority
Primary Website	http://www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com/Finance/ez
Applicable Jurisdiction	Map of counties and municipalities that have developed Enterprise Zones: http://www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com/UserDocs/documents/IEDA/establishedEZmap.doc
Last Review	2014-09-15
Last Substantive Modification to Summary	2013-09-02
Information Source	http://www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com/userdocs/documents/ieda/ez.pdf

Summary

The Enterprise Zones Program is an incentive for business expansion designed to stimulate development by targeting economically distressed areas in Iowa. Through state and local tax incentives, businesses and developers are encouraged to make new investments, and create or retain jobs in these areas. Businesses locating or expanding in an Enterprise Zone may receive property tax exemptions, funding for employee training, sales tax refunds, Iowa income tax credits, or other tax incentives. An incentive for housing development may also be available to developers and contractors building or rehabilitating housing in an established enterprise zone.

To be eligible, a business must make a minimum qualifying investment of $500,000 during a three year period. Qualifying investment includes the cost of land, buildings, improvements to buildings, manufacturing machinery and equipment, and/or computer hardware. The business must create or retain at least 10 full-time, project-related jobs over a three year period and maintain them for an additional two years. The business must provide some level of medical benefits to all full time employees. Additionally, the business must also provide all full-time employees with a standard medical and dental insurance plan of which the business pays 80% of the premiums for employee-only coverage, pays 50% of the premiums for family coverage, or provides a monetarily-equivalent benefit package. The business must pay new or retained employees a starting wage which is equal to or greater than 90% of the laborshed wage. Wage requirements. The business can not be a retail establishment or a business whose entrance is limited by coverage charge or membership. The business can not close or relocate its operation in one area of the state and relocate substantially the same operation in the Enterprise Zone. The local Enterprise Zone Commission and IEDA must approve the business' application for Enterprise Zone program incentives prior to project initiation.

A local property tax exemption of up to 100% of the value added to the property to a period not to exceed 10 years may be available. Additional funding is available for training new employees. If applicable, these funds would be in addition to those authorized under the Iowa New Jobs Training Program. Designated Enterprise Zones are eligible for a refund of state sales, service, or use taxes paid to contractors or subcontractors during construction. Also included is an investment tax credit of up to a maximum of 10% of the qualifying investment, amortized over 5 years. This tax credit is earned when the corresponding asset is placed in service and can be carried forward for up to seven additional years or until depleted, whichever occurs first. The State's refundable research activities credit may be increased while the business is participating in the program.

Policy Contact

Department	Iowa Economic Development Authority
Division	Enterprise Zones
Phone	515-725-3134
Phone 2	800-532-1215
Email	enterprisezone@iowa.gov
Website	http://www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com/Finance/ez

Authorities (Please contact the if there are any file problems.)

Authority 1:	Iowa Code 15E.192
Date Effective	2006
Date Enacted	2000