Economic Development : Enterprise Zone

WMEZ
Western Maricopa Enterprise Zone

BUSINESS INDUCEMENTS

Discover the advantages of expanding, relocating or starting a new business in the Western Maricopa Enterprise Zone (WMEZ). Arizona's designated enterprise zones can make a major difference in increasing profitability for your business.

The Qualifications Are Very Simple

• Your company meets program eligibility
• Your company invests capital (buildings, equipment, or property) in the WMEZ
• Your company creates quality jobs

• Property tax reductions for investment of capital
• State income tax credits for quality jobs created
• Business inducements from the WMEZ's member cities
• Locational advantages including: Affordable sites and buildings
• Proximity to major markets
• Excellent transportation systems
• Excellent labor supply
• Quality infrastructure
• Affordable utilities
• Quality labor training and educational institutions
• Affordable housing in quality environments
• Enviable quality of life
• Pro-business climate
• Greater access to sources of capital

•  pays employees a salary above the target wage set annually by Arizona for Maricopa County .
•  provides the employee with at least 50% of health insurance benefits.

Your company must also show that at least 35% of the net new jobs claimed for the tax credits are filled by residents of an Enterprise Zone established in Maricopa County . Paperwork has been reduced to a minimum . To claim the tax credits, all you need is to present the personnel and payroll information your company already keeps for your employees to the State. If the credits exceed the State income taxes due, the excess credits may be carried forward for up to five years.

Property Tax Reduction

A " Qualified Business " may be eligible for an 80 % reduction in its primary real and personal property tax for investment in new buildings, equipment or property in the WMEZ. The business primary property tax is reclassified from Class 3, a 25 % assessment ratio, to Class 8, assessed at 5%. The reclassification takes effect for the tax year after the certification is completed and runs for five years .
Qualified Business is one that:

•  Meets the Arizona Department of Commerce qualifications regarding size, ownership, and investment requirements.
•  Is a small manufacturing business that employs fewer than 100 employees at the zone location, or has gross annual receipts of less than $4 million. Certified Minority and Women- Owned Manufacturers are eligible regardless of size and volume.
•  Makes a $2 million investment in fixed assets in the zone location after December 31, 1995. This investment is cumulative.

Area of the WMEZ

WHAT IS THE WMEZ?

The Western Maricopa Enterprise Zone was established under Arizona laws on January 1, 1994 to promote the generation of quality jobs and the investment of capital in a 5,600 square mile area of western Maricopa County . The WMEZ is an alliance of 14 political jurisdictions organized in a Commission constituted of elected representatives of each municipal jurisdictions and Maricopa County . The WMEZ Technical Advisory Group (TAG), represented by the economic development directors of each member city/town, and the County, provide planning and promotional support to the zone program.

LOCAL CONTACTS:

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Mr. Robert Robles, Commission Chair
Western Maricopa Enterprise Zone
c/o WESTMARC
4949 West Indian School Road
Phoenix , AZ 85301
(623) 435-0431