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BUSINESS Jackson County repeals enterprise zone fees Move meant to encourage business growth Comment By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Apr. 6, 2016 at 1:10 PM Updated Apr 6, 2016 at 4:36 PM By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Apr. 6, 2016 at 1:10 PM Updated Apr 6, 2016 at 4:36 PM » Social News The Jackson County Board of Commissioners repealed enterprise zone application fees Wednesday that for some businesses cost more than the tax savings they could realize from moving to or expanding in the zone. Before the board's action, the county assessor was required by a county law to charge a $410 enterprise zone fee plus a $249 continuation fee, for a total of $659. Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development Inc. Executive Director Ron Fox said the fees charged are sometimes higher than the property tax savings. "If you had a company making a small investment of $12,000, the annual savings in property taxes would be about $180. If you charge fees of $410 and $249, that would effectively wipe that out," Fox said. He praised county officials for eliminating the fees. "The county's action is very appropriate," Fox said. A business that made a large investment of $200,000 would realize tax savings of about $3,000 — which would more than cover the fees, he said. The Jackson County Enterprise Zone covers most commercial and industrial land in Central Point, Ashland, Talent, Phoenix, White City, Eagle Point, Gold Hill and Rogue River. Medford has its own enterprise zone. Qualifying businesses that start up or move into enterprise zones, expand or invest in equipment can get property tax breaks on new investment for three to five years. Existing businesses must boost their employment by 10 percent. New businesses do not have a specific number of jobs they must create, Fox said. To get five full years of property tax breaks, businesses must create jobs that pay 150 percent or more of the average wage in Jackson County. Those jobs would pay at least $57,000, Fox said. "Those are high-wage positions," he said. County Commissioners Colleen Roberts and Doug Breidenthal said they want the county to continue looking for ways to reduce fees on businesses to encourage economic growth. Breidenthal said repealing the enterprise zone fees is part of efforts to attract new businesses and help existing businesses grow without the burden of heavy fees. "We need to be able to create that 'nest' to allow businesses to land in Jackson County and be successful," he said. Since Jackson County received its first enterprise zone application from a business in 2010, $93 million of new investment has been made in the zone, Fox said. Medford has seen $125 million in investment in its zone since 1998, he said. After the three-to-five year property tax exemption period ends, a businesses pays property taxes on the new investment, Fox noted. Businesses that want more information about enterprise zones can contact SOREDI at 541-773-8946 or see www.soredi.org or www.oregon4biz.com/Oregon-Business/Tax-Incentives/Enterprise-Zones/ . Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or [email protected] . Follow her at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous . By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Apr. 6, 2016 at 1:10 PM Updated Apr 6, 2016 at 4:36 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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