In Halifax County, North Carolina community leaders are committed to providing an environment to enhance business growth and prosperity. Companies looking to locate or expand in Halifax County will find a number of resources and enhancement to support job creation and investment. Halifax County is a Tier One Area
One North Carolina Fund
The One North Carolina Fund is a discretionary program that helps our Governor respond quickly to competitive job creation projects. It also provides financial assistance to those businesses or industries deemed vital to a healthy economy that are making significant efforts to expand in North Carolina. The fund is made possible through appropriations made by the North Carolina General Assembly for companies contemplating new expansion or new operations in the state and designed to increase the state’s competitiveness. Funds are only considered for project locations or expansions where North Carolina is in competition with another location outside the state.
Companies can receive funds for: 1) Installation or purchase of equipment; 2) Structural repairs, improvements, or renovations of existing buildings to be used for expansion; 3) Construction of or improvements to new or existing water, sewer, gas or electric utility distribution lines, or equipment for existing buildings. To be considered for the One North Carolina Fund, the company must agree to meet an average wage test. For companies considering Halifax County, the County must agree to match financial assistance to the company.
Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) Program
The Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) is a performance-based, discretionary program that provides cash grants as an incentive directly to new and expanding companies to offset costs of locating or expanding in North Carolina. The amount of the grant is based on a percentage of the personal income tax withholdings associated with new jobs.
The actual grant award is determined by several factors, including: the location of the project, the county’s tier designation, the net new jobs, wages of the jobs compared to the county average wage, the committed investment and whether the industry is one of the state’s targeted industry sectors. Grant funds are disbursed annually to approved companies for up to 12 years after the company has documented performance of the criteria set out in grant agreements.
For projects located in a Tier 1 county, like Halifax County, 100% of the annual grant is paid to the company. JDIG funds can be used by the company for any purpose.
The project must be competitive with locations outside North Carolina and remain competitive until the grant is formally awarded. The company can use JDIG funds for any purpose. A five-member Economic Investment Committee (EIC) evaluates projects and makes decisions regarding JDIG awards. The North Carolina Department of Commerce administers the program on behalf of the EIC. Grant applicants in are required to pay a $1,000 nonrefundable fee with the submission of a completed application for projects that locate in a Tier 1 area. Grant recipients are also required to pay an annual fee with the submission of each annual report, when filed with the Department of Commerce. North Carolina general statutes require that the company maintain operations at the project location, or at another approved site in North Carolina, for at least 150% of the term of the grant.
For both the One NC Fund and Job Development Investment Grant, the Halifax County Economic Development Commission will be the company’s liaison for access to the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC), Inc. to begin incentive discussions and eligibility determination.
Economic Development Incentive Grant Program
Halifax County offers an Economic Development Incentive Grant (EDIG) Program designed as an inducement for qualifying new businesses to locate in Halifax County and to encourage existing businesses to expand. The program provides a grant to companies making investments and creating jobs in Halifax County. The amount of the grant, which is generally paid over five years, will be negotiated between the company and the county, taking into consideration the new jobs and taxable investment to be created by the business.
Halifax County Business & Industry Retention Grant Program
Halifax County may provide a grant or loan to existing business and industry under certain conditions. The intent of this grant/loan program is to retain significant tax base and employment and benefit Halifax County employees and citizens. Funds may be used by the company for strategic investments, including worker training and education, worker and company productivity, and activities to enhance long-term industry competitiveness on a global basis. The grant may not be used to protect companies from local business competition.
© Halifax County Economic Development Commission. All Rights Reserved
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