Incentives
Bartow boasts a pro-business climate, stimulating growth. The Bartow Economic Development Council staff helps companies understand the landscape of business incentives and analyzes their eligibility for local and state business incentives related to job creation and workforce training. Once determined, BEDC staff and the City of Bartow help qualified companies navigate the application process for the business benefits.
Bartow offers businesses of all sizes and industries a very favorable tax structure. Companies enjoy low sales and property taxes and there are no local personal or local corporate income taxes. Florida has a comparatively low corporate income tax rate of 5.5 percent, with no inventory tax, no unitary tax and several sales tax exemptions.
BARTOW INCENTIVES
Bartow Community Redevelopment Agency Funding
The Community Redevelopment Agency assistance is available on a case by case basis for businesses within the CRA District. Bartow Community Redevelopment Area Map
Bartow Core Improvement Area – the City initiated an area in the central core of Bartow, where the City and the County impact fees are waived for development. City utility fees still apply. For more information, email Gregg Lamb, City of Bartow Building Official, 863-534-0100.
There is a Economic Development Rider for new or expanded businesses that are large power customers. This incentive is available city wide. Contact Karen Hielscher, Customer Service Supervisor, for more information, 863-534-0100.
COUNTY, REGIONAL, STATE INCENTIVES
County and State Incentive Programs (information provided by Central Florida Development Council)
Polk County Ad Valorem Tax Exemption (AVTE)
The exemption was implemented to support economic growth and enhance the county’s ability to be competitive. To be eligible, a company must be a qualified target industry, create a minimum of 10 new jobs and meet the programs wage requirement. Projects must invest a combined minimum of $5 million in building and equipment (real and tangible property). The exemption must be approved by the Board of County Commissioners before any improvements to real property are made.
Polk County Impact Fee Mitigation Program
The economic development impact fee mitigation program is available for certain Qualified Target Industry Businesses to mitigate any real or perceived disadvantage occurring from the imposition of impact fees. To be eligible, the Qualified Target Industry Business must meet certain criteria related to job creation (minimum of 10 jobs) with target salary levels and minimum capital investment. Click here for the resolution stating the policy guidelines and and requirements.
Regional Incentive Programs
Duke Energy Economic Development Rider
Reduction of base rate demand and energy charges for companies that add 25 net new jobs and have an electrical demand of 500 kWh of which a minimum load factor of 50% must originate from a single point of delivery. Capex must exceed $500,000.
TECO Energy Economic Development Rider Program
Reduction of base rate demand and energy charges for companies that add 25 full-time equivalent new jobs and have an electrical demand of 350 kWh from a single meter.
Florida Public Utilities Natural Gas Commercial Rebate
Rebates are available for new natural gas commercial appliances. Amounts vary by rebate category and customer class.
Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ 79)
International business can take advantage of added import flexibility on products for re-export and enjoy cash flow benefits and substantial savings on import fees.
State Incentive Programs
Qualified Target Industry (QTI) Tax Refund
The Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund incentive is available to companies that create high wage jobs in targeted industries. If your business qualifies, you will receive a tax refund against corporate, sales, ad valorem, intangible personal property, insurance premiums and other taxes. Pre-approved companies who create jobs in Florida will receive $3,000 for every full-time job created with higher awards available for companies paying very high wages, operating within a designated high impact sector, or meeting other specific criteria. (Not available to new participants at this time)
Quick Response Training (QRT) Grant
The QRT Grant is available to new or expanding businesses to help fund customized training for new employees. Reimbursable training expenses include: instructors’/trainers’ wages, curriculum development, and textbooks/manuals. Because this program is customized, flexible, and responsive to individual company needs, funds are determined on a case-by-case basis.
High Impact Performance Incentive Grant (HIPI)
The High Impact Performance Incentive is a negotiated grant available to companies with a headquarters relocation project or those operating in a high-impact sector of one of Florida’s key industries, including clean energy, financial services, life sciences, semiconductors and transportation equipment manufacturing. In order to qualify, businesses must create 50 new full-time jobs (25 for Research & Development facilities) and make a cumulative investment of $50 million ($25 million if R&D) during a three-year period. If approved, 50 percent of the award is distributed at the beginning, followed by 50 percent once employment and investment goals are met.
Capital Investment Tax Credit (CITC)
Up to 20 years in corporate tax credits are available to companies with a headquarters relocation project or operating in the clean energy, financial services, life sciences, semiconductors or transportation equipment manufacturing sectors. In order to qualify, businesses must create 100 new full-time jobs in three years and make a total investment of a minimum of $25 million.
*All incentives are performance based and require a completed application and must be approved by the Polk County Board of County Commissioners before a building is purchased, lease is signed or announcement is made. These incentives are considered “but for” – meaning that but for the fact that these incentives were made available, the applicant company would be locating elsewhere.
**Disclaimer: The CFDC and its partners have provided the above incentive information for companies interested in doing business in Central Florida. However, under no circumstances, are these incentives guaranteed. A business must meet the required qualifications to be eligible for incentives. If you would like to know if your business qualifies, please call Jennifer Taylor at 863-937-4430 for a confidential consultation.