VILLAGE OF LENA INCENTIVE PROGRAMS

All Lena incentive programs are administered by the Village of Lena and are determined by a vote of the Village Board.

 

Property Tax Abatement

The Village of Lena is able to abate the Village portion of a businesses property tax.  The amount and length of the abatement are negotiable.

 

Sales Tax Rebates

The recipient of this incentive is eligible for a certain percentage of business related redevelopment costs based on a percentage of sales tax generated by the business.  The percentage amounts are negotiable.

 

Startup Cost Incentives

The Village of Lena startup cost incentives program is administered by the Village of Lena and determined by a vote of the Village Board.  The program involves a waving of one or more Village startup fees to help defer the cost of initial development.  The waved fees will be determined on a case by case basis depending on individual business plans and set goals and objectives of the developer.  These individual cases will be considered and reviewed by the Lena Economic Development Corporation and presented to the Village Board for final approval. 

 

 

 

  LENA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION INCENTIVE PROGRAMS

 

Low Interest Loan Program (Revolving Loan Fund, RLF)

This incentive provides a low interest loan oportunity to assist in expansion or help a business locate within the village. The RLF is not designed to be the primary source of financing for a project. It is intended to provicde a source of financing which may otherwise not be available in the community. The RLF is intended with companies, noth existing and startup, that have excellent potential for growth and will provide increased employment in the village and diversify Lena's economy. Contact Village Administrator Tyson Terhune for more information.

 

 

 

LENA TAX INCREMENT FINANCING (TIF) DISTRICT

 

The Lena Tax Increment Financing Districts are local tools for economic development designed to coordinate various tax incentives and other benefits to help developers defray TIF eligible costs to stimulate commercial economic activity and downtown revitalization.

 

The district will remain in effect until 2023.

 

The Village of Lena TIF Districts help fund new developments by dedicating increased real estate taxes generated by the development to the developer to help defray eligible costs.  This estate tax increment includes all real estate taxes generated – school, county, park district, city, etc.

 

The new taxes generated are deposited into a special TIF fund with the Village and are used to assist with eligible expenses.  Such expenses include: land costs, sewer, water, streets, demolition, repair, renovation, parking, site work, landscaping – but not the costs of newly constructed buildings.

 

All funds generated by the District must be used for projects located within the District.

 

 

STEPHENSON COUNTY INCENTIVE PROGRAMS

 

  United States Department of Agriculture Business and Industry Loan Guarantee Program  

Because Stephenson County, IL has a population less than 50,000, it is considered a rural County for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  As such, any business loan made by a state or federally chartered lending institution making a loan for any business in Stephenson County can seek to have a USDA B&I Loan Guarantee backup such a transaction.  The limits of their loan guarantees are for project loans of up to $25,000,000.  In your case, for a $1 million loan, USDA would guarantee 80% or $8,000,000.  The cost of such to the company applying for the loan will is 1% of the loan guarantee (ie-$80,000) if such a project is located within a state designated Enterprise Zone.  Otherwise, the one time loan fee is 2% of the loan guarantee.  Additionally, the USDA B&I Loan Guarantee Program has no Davis-Bacon or Prevailing Wage Rate requirements.

 

 

LENA/STEPHENSON COUNTY ENTERPRISE ZONE

 

“The purpose of the state’s Enterprise Zone Program is to stimulate economic growth and neighborhood revitalization at the local level through the following:

 

·         State and local tax incentives

·         Regulatory relief

·         Improved government services

 

Since the Enterprise Zone Act was passed by the General Assembly in 1982, the department has designated 97 enterprise zones throughout the state.  During Fiscal Year 2008, local enterprise zone administrators reported investments of over $4.6ll billion that resulted in the creation of 21,606 jobs and the retention of 17,240 jobs.

 

Although other factors are undoubtedly involved, enterprise zone designation is a highly important determinant of a business’s decision to locate or expand in Illinois.  Indeed, we believe that the Enterprise Zone Program is one of the state’s most successful economic development tools.”

STATE INCENTIVES

Tax Exemptions

Sales Tax Exemption – A 6.25% state sales tax exemption is permitted on building materials to be incorporated into real estate located within an enterprise zone established by a county or municipality.  Materials used for remodeling, rehabilitation or new construction  are eligible for this exemption.

Machinery and Equipment/Pollution Control Facilities Sales Tax Exemption –A 6.25% state sales tax exemption is available on purchases of tangible personal property to be used or consumed in the manufacturing or assembly process or in the operation of a pollution control facility within an enterprise zone.  Eligibility is contingent upon a business making a $5 million investment that causes the creation of 200 full-time equivalent jobs in Illinois, or other greater investment and job criteria.

Enterprise Zone Utility Tax Exemption – A state utility tax exemption on gas, electricity and the Illinois Commerce Commission’s administrative charge and telecommunication excise tax is available to businesses located in enterprise zones.  Eligibility is contingent upon a $5 million investment that causes the creation of 200 full-time equivalent jobs in Illinois, or other greater investment and job criteria.

Tax Credits

Enterprise Zone Investment Tax Credit – A state investment tax credit of .5% is allowed a taxpayer who invests in qualified property in a zone.  This is in addition to other investment tax credits available.

Jobs Tax Credit – The Enterprise Zone Jobs Tax Credit allows a business a $500 credit on Illinois income taxes for each job created in the zone for which a certified dislocated worker or economically disadvantaged individual is hired.  A minimum of five eligible employees must be hired to qualify for the credit.

Income Tax Deductions

Dividend Income Deduction - Dividend income is not taxed from corporations doing substantially all their business in a zone.


Interest Deduction – Financial institutions are not taxed on the interest received on loans for development within an enterprise zone.

Contribution Deduction – Businesses may deduct double the value of cash or in-kind contributions to approved projects of a designated zone organization.

LOCAL INCENTIVES

Local governments may provide a variety of local incentives to further encourage economic growth and investment in enterprise zones.  The incentives offered are determined by the local governments.  The following list is not inclusive but serves as an example of the most common local enterprise zone incentives offered:

·         Abatement of property taxes on new improvements

·         Homesteading and shopsteading programs

·         Waiver of business licensing and permit fees

·         Streamlined building code and zoning requirements

·         Special local financing programs and other resources