Convention & Visitor's Bureau

Empowerment Zone 

The Empowerment Zone designation will inject $100,000,000 in federal funding, over the next ten years, to complement existing activities in seven key areas of regional progress:

1.  Human Resource Development;
2.  Infrastructure Systems;
3.  Workforce Development;
4.  Job Creation;
5.  Developing Industrial Sites;
6.  Regional Tourism Initiative; and the
7.  Transportation of People and Goods. 

Tax incentive credits, deductions, and bonds that are available as a result of Empowerment Zone designation include:

• Welfare to Work (WtW) Credits - A two-year credit    provides businesses with an    incentive to hire long-   term welfare recipients.
   

• Work Opportunity Tax Credit - Provides businesses with an incentive to hire individuals from groups that have a high unemployment rate or other special employment needs, such as youths, ages 18 to 24, or welfare recipients.
   

• Increase Section 179 Deductions - Allows businesses to claim increased Section 179 deductions (up to $20,000 in additional expensing) to “qualified zone property” placed in services within an Empowerment Zone.
   

• Environmental Cleanup Cost Deduction (Brownfields) - Provides businesses with the needed incentive to clean up certain sites that are contaminated with hazardous substances.
   

• Tax-Exempt Bond Financing - State and local governments can issue tax-free zone facility bonds to raise funds when at least 85% of the property’s use is in an Empowerment Zone and in the active conduct of a qualified trade or business which will result in job creation.

The goal of Empowerment is to create jobs for the residents of the Zone.  To this end, a newly developed 504 acre industrial park with reliable and affordable energy, rail, river, and easy highway access is now in the first stage of development.  Also, air transportation systems are within 15 miles of the industrial park.  The heavy industrial users that choose this well situated park will have access to additional local, state, and federal incentives as they relocate their expanding businesses.  Applications from industries seeking sites are solicited.

The Empowerment Zone boasts user-friendly services for the employer and the employee with a one stop Workforce Development Resource Center.  Vocational-technical training is offered by Collins Career Center.  Higher education is an offering of Ohio University.  The Department of Jobs & Family Services under the Work Force Investment Act (WIA) provides job placement and support services for all clients.  Lawrence County has a ready, willing available labor force and, in cooperation with the Workforce Development Resource Center, can provide workforce training to match the employer’s needs.

Call the Lawrence Economic Development Corporation for an appointment to discuss your new industrial location in Lawrence County’s Empowerment Zone!