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With less cash, Spotsylvania County economic development officials have had to look outside the box Date published: 10/5/2009
BY DAN TELVOCK Creativity helps keep Spotsylvania County competitive for business, said Economic Development Director Russell Seymour. County officials are keeping most businesses happy, even after the Board of Supervisors raided the Economic Development Opportunities fund two budget cycles ago to provide more money to the school system and public safety. The number of cash incentives offered to businesses has dropped from three in 2006 to one each in 2007 and 2008. Of the $1 million the Economic Development Department has offered since 2006, companies have accepted $435,000 in cash incentives. With less cash available to entice businesses, Seymour said his department is trying to be more creative by using technology zones and offering tax rebates. In February, the Board of Supervisors approved technology zones for the U.S. 1, State Route 3, and Routes 2 and 17 corridors. Seymour said only certain types of businesses, such as defense and biomedical companies, will qualify for tax rebates if they locate in any of the three zones. Supervisors earlier this month offered a defense manufacturing business five years of rebates on the machinery and tools tax if Supervisors have an Oct. 13 public hearing on a proposal to create tourism zones that will focus on drawing visitors to the county, which is rich in Civil War history. The targeted-industry program allows for faster plan reviews from the Planning, Code Compliance and Zoning departments. "That saves businesses a lot of money upfront," Seymour said. "It also saves them time. We're getting creative and we're staying competitive." Welford Engineering received $60,000 in cash from the county in 2006, which lured the company from Fredericksburg to a development on Empire Court off Mine Road and Falcon Drive. The company employs about 20 professionals. "We were able to use some of the county's incentive to keep our rent structure down so we could afford to move here," company president Larry Welford said. Welford Engineering has returned the favor. This year, the company worked on the site plans for the Verizon Wireless switching station to be built in the 95 Commerce Center.
Read more stories about Spotsylvania Date published: 10/5/2009
we need a break on our taxes .We work for spotsy schools
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