§ 2-284. Qualified target industry incentive.

Economic incentives to target industrial enterprises may be in the form of payments to business enterprises meeting the eligibility criteria described below. Payment shall be calculated on the following criteria:

(a)

Payments. Eligible business enterprises shall be entitled to apply for payments based upon the number of full-time jobs created and the average wage of the jobs. The county will offer this payment based on the following scale as it pertains to the average wage rate of the industry:

(1)

Eighty-five percent to 115 percent greater than the county's average wage rate as defined annually by the state: $200.00 per position per year for up to five consecutive years.

(2)

One hundred fifteen percent to 125 percent greater than the county's average wage rate as defined annually by the state: $400.00 per position per year for up to five consecutive years.

(3)

One hundred twenty-five percent to 150 percent greater than the county's average wage rate as defined annually by the state: $600.00 per position per year for up to five consecutive years.

(4)

One hundred fifty percent or greater than the county's average wage rate as defined annually by the state: $800.00 per position per year for up to five consecutive years.

(b)

Payments may be awarded by the board of county commissioners, in its sole discretion, for the year that the business enterprise created the jobs. The board of county commissioners shall have sole discretion to establish maximum total payments and shall not be obligated to make payment for all jobs created. Approval of any payment shall be subject to lawfully available and budgeted funds.

(c)

The following criteria must be satisfied by all applicants for payment awards:

(1)

Eligible business enterprises must have commenced operations with an established payroll for permanent, full-time jobs during the first year for which a payment is sought. Business enterprises engaged in construction and other actions in anticipation of commencing operations, but which have not yet commenced operations and established a payroll for permanent, full-time jobs, shall not be eligible. Business enterprises shall not be eligible for a payment during any year in which it ceases operations in Santa Rosa County.

(2)

Eligible business enterprises must generate more than 50 percent of gross revenues from outside the three-county area—Santa Rosa, Escambia, and Okaloosa.

(3)

Eligible business must annually re-apply for payments between January 1 and February 15 for the preceding calendar year.

( Ord. No. 2016-24 , § 5, 12-8-16)