County Incentives
Pima County One-Stop Career Center
The Pima County One-Stop Career Center is nationally recognized for pioneering training initiatives and aggressive fund development that has resulted in a rich menu of services for local employers. In addition to approximately $5 million in formula Workforce Investment Act funds, the One-Stop administers $20 million in discretionary grants for veterans, youth and other special populations, education funds and basic assistance programs. Following the 120-day period mandated by federal statute regarding use of federal training funds for businesses laying off or closing in one region of the U.S. and hiring in another region, Pima County One-Stop will make available to client businesses its full menu of employer services, including:
- Job order registration, applicant screening and job matching conducted in person and online
- One Stop facilities for mass recruitment and hiring
- Screening and placement of youth and/or adult interns
- Skill training classes to upgrade the skills of existing employees, available for delivery at the company site and customized to fit company needs
- On-the-job training opportunities
- Supportive services for training participants
Property Tax Abatement Through Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) Designation
Pima County might abate a portion of the property tax liability for companies located in a designated FTZ, depending on number of new jobs, wage levels and capital investment. Reclassification is dependent on successful FTZ activation.
Industrial Development Authority of Pima County
The IDA of Pima County is a non-profit corporation designated as a political subdivision of the State of Arizona with primary interests to include the promotion of economic development and the development of affordable housing. The Authority is empowered to issue bonds to provide funds for the financing or refinancing of the costs of the acquisition, construction, improvement, rehabilitation or equipping of a project as defined in the Act. The business and affairs of the Authority are managed by a board of directors appointed by the Board of Supervisors of Pima County.
Foreign Trade Zone #139
The Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation is the administrator of Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) 139 and announced the expansion of FTZ 139 in 2012. Prior to the expansion, the site consisted of 4.3 acres of land located in Sierra Vista. The designation now includes nearly half of Cochise County. The functions and incentives of a Foreign-Trade Zone are an asset to economic growth. They promote American competitiveness by encouraging companies to maintain and expand their operations in the United States by means of a reduction in tariffs, minimizing processing fees, expediting the transport of goods from the Port of Entry, and providing an 80 percent reduction in state, real, and personal property taxes.
Industrial Development Authority
The Pinal County IDA promotes and encourages economic growth and job creation by making low-interest loans available to qualified projects through the issuance of tax-exempt bonds. Financing must meet all state and local bond law requirements, and all projects are reviewed by the IDA to ensure that financing candidates represent projects that will help to further Pinal County’s vision for economic progress and sustainability.
Foreign Trade Zone
Foreign Trade Zones are secure areas under supervision of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that are considered outside the customs territory of the United States at which special CBP procedures may be used. Foreign and domestic merchandise may be moved into zones for storage, exhibition, assembly, manufacturing, and processing without payment of duties, quote and other import restrictions until the decision is made to enter the good into the U.S. market. Benefits include:
- Duty deferral
- Duty elimination on exports
- Duty reduction (inverted tariff relief) and elimination on imports
- Scrap/Waste savings
- No time constraints on storage
- Shorter transit time – Direct delivery
- Weekly entry
- Arizona offers an approximately 75-80% reduction in real and personal property taxes for activated FTZs (certain restrictions apply)
Priority Express Permitting
Pinal County has implemented this process for qualified, new expanding or relocating businesses. The County has recognized the need to offer a business friendly environment which allows businesses to relocate, expand rapidly and efficiently. Pinal County is committed to streamlining where possible, its Specific and Commercial Site Plan Review Process.
Business Incentive Program
The goal of the Pinal County business incentive program is to assist employers with reimbursement of expenses associated with on the job training, operational equipment re-location expenses, employee re-location expenses, utility hookup and re-connection fees, and infrastructure improvements. The funds available for assistance will vary throughout the fiscal year.