Incentives

STIMULATING GROWTH

Beautiful, year-round weather, a relaxed pace of life, skilled workforce and unmatched connectivity are all reasons that people love building their businesses and their lives in the middle of the Sunshine State.

In addition to its unbeatable lifestyle, the region also boasts a pro-business tax climate and offers a host of incentives on the local, regional and state levels to help businesses flourish in Central Florida’s Polk County.

Alex Price
Director of Business Development

To learn more or see if your business qualifies, please contact a member of our team.

Local Incentive Programs

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 $10 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. Click here for the resolution stating the policy guidelines and requirements.

Additional programs may apply to projects representing significant job creation and captial investment. Please reach out to our team to learn more.

State Incentive Programs

Quick Response Training Grant (QRT)

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 Performace 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.

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 businesses can take advantage of added import flexibility on products for re-export and enjoy cash flow benefits and substantial savings on import fees.

*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, a lease is signed, or an 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 considering 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 contact our team for a confidential consultation.

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