Incentives

If you don’t think it’s possible for government and the private sector to work together, move quickly, and reduce costs, prepare to be pleasantly surprised. Our professional staff is dedicated to providing excellence in customer service and we make it easy for you to open, relocate, or expand your business.  You may qualify for:

Rapid Response Services

Development-related information pertinent to zoning and building, transportation, utilities, infrastructure, health, and life safety considerations.

Businesses looking to expand or locate in Manatee County have access to a customized team of County professionals and community partners to research and evaluate potential property through Business Scoping.

RAPID RESPONSE

New and existing business development is provided with an expedited review of all County-related services.  Potential customers should contact the Economic Development Division prior to submittal of new development or business expansion plans to review project elements. Staff will establish a customized team for each project to provide expedited review. The eligibility requirements are as follows:

  • An application is required detailing the project, capital investment, and number of jobs created.
  • The company must create at least 10 quality jobs with wages at or above the current Manatee County average annual wage and provide significant capital investment in Manatee County; and at least one of the following:
  • Locate in the Port Manatee Encouragement Zone
  • Locate in the Southwest District SWD (lower wage criteria may be considered)
  • Be a targeted industry in the state of Florida (CleanTech, Life Sciences, InfoTech, Aviation/Aerospace, Homeland Security/Defense/Financial/Professional Services, Advanced Manufacturing, Corporate Headquarters, Research & Development, Global Logistics)
  • Be a local targeted industry (Sports Performance)


PLANNING, PERMITTING, INSPECTIONS & CONCURRENCY
The partners in the Rapid Response Team collaborate to establish a schedule for meeting the timeline requested by the customer for development projects. The schedule includes submission and approval of items required for all county permits; such as:

  • Concurrency
  • Preliminary Site Plan (PSP)
  • Rezone
  • Construction Plans
  • Final Site Plan (FSP)
  • Building Permits

Economic Development Incentive (EDI)

This local incentive is available to qualified applicants creating new high-wage job opportunities, with exceptionally high wages and capital investment, either by expanding an existing business within the County or by bringing a new business to the County.

The criteria for eligibility includes creation of 10 quality jobs (including health benefits) and cost/benefit analysis that demonstrates rate of return of at least 15% and payback period of 7 years or less.

This incentive is customized per business based on the number of jobs created and wage of those jobs. It is offered to qualifying businesses regardless of location in Manatee County.

The company must be environmentally compatible, represent an end-user, and create or retain quality job opportunities meeting the following thresholds:

  • Existing local company (Manatee County)wages at or above the local average annual wage.
  • Relocating/ new company… wages that are at least 115% of the local average annual wage. In addition, the project must create a minimum of 10 new jobs for Manatee County.

 

Multi-Modal Transportation Impact Fee Incentive (MTIFI)

This incentive provides relief for the multi-modal impact fee to expanding, new or relocating businesses that create at least ten quality jobs with company wages at or above 115% of the Manatee County average annual wage. The jobs created must be targeted industries as established by Enterprise Florida or a local targeted industry. The amount of the incentive is based on the square footage of the construction, the use of the building, multi-modal impact fees assessed, the average annual wage of the company, and is paid when the company completes construction activities and applies for the Certificate of Occupancy (CO).

 

Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption (EDAVTE)

Manatee County voters approved a referendum authorizing the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) to grant economic development ad valorem tax exemptions (EDAVTE) for qualifying new and expanding businesses. Minimum eligibility includes:

  • A business establishing 10 or more new jobs to employ 10 or more full-time employees in this state, paying an average wage for such new jobs that is above the average wage in the area, which principally engages in any one or more of the following operations:
  • Manufactures, processes, compounds, fabricates, or produces for sale items of tangible personal property at a fixed location and which comprises an industrial or manufacturing plant: or
  • Is a target industry as defined by FS 288.106(2)(q)
  • An expanding business establishing twenty-five (25) or more full time jobs and sells more than 50% of products outside of Manatee County.
  • An office space in the County leased or owned and used by a corporation newly domiciled in Manatee County; provided such office space houses fifty (50) or more full-time employees of such corporation; provided that such business or office first begins operation on a site clearly separate from any other commercial or industrial operations owned by the same business.
  • The business must have legal   title  to real or personal property in order to apply. The EDAVTE approval process includes application, review by Property Appraiser’s Office and public hearing with the BCC. Please contact the Economic Development Official for more information and eligibility requirements.

Florida Qualified Target Industries Tax Refund (QTI)

This incentive is available for companies that create high wage jobs in certain targeted high value-added industries as determined by Enterprise Florida.  This incentive includes refunds of taxes paid for corporate income, sales, ad valorem, intangible personal property, insurance premium, and certain other taxes.  Coordinated with Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation and Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.  Manatee County provides local financial support up to 20% of the incentive.

Industrial Development Revenue Bonds

Industrial Development Revenue Bonds (IDRBs) finance business and industrial expansions for firms with strong credit. IDRBs can provide low-interest loans for large projects by permitting the borrower to take advantage of long-term financing with lower than prime interest rates. The determination shall be based upon review of the application and other requested information for IDRB financing and shall include, but not be limited to consideration of: 1) environmental impacts; 2) jobs created; 3) relationship to economic development programs;  4) additional economic impacts; 5) nature of commitment owners and developers of the project are prepared to make to secure the commitment to provide benefits to Manatee County; 6) impact on public service and facilities; and 7) consistency with the County’s land development code and the likelihood of obtaining zoning and land use and development approvals. The County Administrator has the authority to provide procedures for the review of the application and provide consent to issuance based upon the best interests of the County. Contact the Manatee County Economic Development Division to obtain an application.

 

Florida Flex

Grants provided by the State of Florida to help relocating or expanding businesses cover training expenses for new employees after jobs have been created or retained. This business-friendly program is flexible to respond quickly to corporate training objectives. Once approved, the business chooses what training is needed, who provides it, and how it is provided. This program is customized, flexible and responsive to individual company needs. For more information regarding Florida Flex, or to apply, contact the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation.

 

CONTACT US +

  • Robert Wenzel, Development Services Division Manager
  • (941) 748-4501, ext. 6203
  • Email Us