Even More Reasons To Discover St. Lucie County
The State of Florida, St. Lucie County and local municipalities
are working together to expand the economic base in Florida. This
collaboration continues to strengthen St. Lucie County’s position
as a pro-business community. While looking to the future and preparing
for ongoing economic vitality, the county is also investing heavily
to ensure our local businesses’ financial future. St. Lucie County’s
Business Retention and Expansion Program visits with businesses
already established within the county. The program endeavors to
keep businesses successful. We want you to start or expand a business
in St. Lucie County, and it shows. Take a look at the innovative
ways in which we help you succeed:
County and City Incentives
• Ad Valorem Tax Exemption Program
New business relocations and qualifying expansions of existing companies
are invited to apply for tax exemptions within a certain amount
of time. Qualifications are based on the amount of new jobs created
that pay more than the average county wage. Abatements are available
from the county and both cities;
• Job Growth Investment Grant
This provides county assistance with expansion or relocation expenses
for businesses that create a minimum of ten new jobs that pay more
than the average county wage;
• Fort Pierce Enterprise Zone
The City of Fort Pierce provides tax refunds for companies that
will relocate within the Enterprise Zone. Credits include sales
tax credit for job creation, corporate income tax credits, sales
tax refunds on building materials, and equipment and property tax
credits;
• Port St. Lucie CRA
Companies that locate and fit into Port St. Lucie’s Community Redevelopment
Agency’s Master Plan can receive several incentives when helping
develop the city’s burgeoning downtown;
• Fast Track Permitting
Businesses can save time and money by using expedited permitting
through the county’s One Stop Print Shop at: http://www.stlucieco.gov/planning/permitting.htm
State of Florida Incentives
• Tax Advantages
The State of Florida’s tax incentives include exemptions for the
first $5,000 of taxable income, no property tax on business inventories,
no state-level property tax, low 5.5 percent corporate income tax
for C-corporations, no sales or use tax on co-generation of electricity
and more;
• Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund Program
This program provides an inducement for target industries to locate
new facilities in Florida or expand existing facilities. If approved
by the state, the applicant may receive refunds on the taxes it
pays;
• Sales/Use Tax Exemptions
Special exemptions can be received on machinery, electricity, pollution
control equipment and other items essential to new business operations;
• Silicon Technology Sales and Use Tax Refund
Companies in the silicon technology industry that are approved by
the state can receive a tax refund; and
• Florida First Capital Finance Corporation
Many businesses have benefited from state SBA loans and the Florida
Recycling Loan Program. These loans are received through the combined
cooperation of a state representative and a local bank official.
EDC of St. Lucie County
The Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County, is a not-for-profit
Corporation partnering with St. Lucie County, the City of Port St.
Lucie, the City of Fort Pierce, and myriad private businesses. This
partnership of Government and local private companies work together
to provide the best sources of information to make relocation or
expansion efforts of businesses as simple as possible.
The pro-business, pro-growth environment of St. Lucie County, along
with Economic Development assistance, offers unrivaled opportunities
for companies looking to relocate or expand to St. Lucie County.
The St. Lucie County Economic Development Council is also a local
partner with Enterprise Florida and will assist a new or expanding
business with the state incentive applications. For confidential
assistance, please contact:
Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County
1850 SW Fountainview Blvd
Suite 205
Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
www.youredc.com
Phone: (772) 879-4144
