Incentives
The Fresno County Regional Enterprise Zone (EZ)
The EZ Tax Credit was established by the State of California to provide businesses the opportunity to create additional jobs, access more resources, and increase overall profitability through tax savings. The tax credit can save employers up to $36,600 per qualified employee. Incredibly, fewer than 15% of qualified businesses know about, much less take advantage of, this tremendous incentive. The EZ tax credit can significantly add to your company’s bottom line, making it a smart way to grow your business!
Visit the official Fresno Regional Enterprise Zone Website
The City of Fresno Enterprise Zone
Businesses in the zone - from large manufacturing companies to small neighborhood restaurants - can significantly reduce their state income taxes by taking advantage of special California Enterprise Zone tax benefits.
Located within the Fresno Enterprise Zone borders are affordable manufacturing and commercial sites, as well as unique retail locations. The zone is within immediate access of two freeways, two state highways, the Fresno Yosemite International Airport and the Downtown Chandler Airport. It is also in close proximity to a wide range of educational facilities, housing, and other amenities. These assets add up to an increasingly powerful ability to assist current businesses and attract new companies, jobs, and investments.
Visit the Enterprise Zone Page on City of Fresno Website
Empowerment Zone
Businesses can realize substantial tax savings by locating and/or expanding in this zone, and by employing area residents. The investment of Federal tax dollars translates into new funds entering our community that will grow and expand our economic base.
The eight-year program began in January 2002 and will expire in December 2009. The positive impact to our local economy is expected to continue for decades to come.
The Federal Department of Housing and Human Services (HUD) awarded the Empowerment Zone designation. The City of Fresno’s Economic Development Department is in charge of its day-to-day operation.
Visit the Empowerment Zone Page on the City of Fresno Website
HUB Zone
The Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) is administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and was designed to stimulate economic development and create jobs in urban and rural communities by providing Federal contracting preferences to small businesses. The HUBZone applies to qualified small businesses (by SBA standards) located within the zone’s boundaries with at least 35% of their employees residing in a HUBZone. The City of Fresno’s HUBZone is defined by qualified census tracts.
Visit the HUB Zone Page on City of Fresno Website
Foreign-Trade Zone
A U.S. Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ or Zone) is a designated area which, for Customs purposes, is considered outside the U.S. Nearly any imported merchandise can be brought into a Zone for almost any kind of manipulation, duty-free.
