Bluffton Economic Development Incentive Program
The objective of this grant is to bring professional services closer to their customers, reduce traffic on major arteries and give businesses financial incentives to locate or relocate to the Town’s fastest growing areas.
WHO QUALIFIES
The Town will provide incentives for businesses which plan on a minimum investment of $500,000 and will provide one of the target industries.
INDUSTRIES
Healthcare, childcare, housing, flex-space, headquarters, and community-aligned businesses.
SUPPORT
Gain access to resources, such as the Don Ryan Center, mentorship from industry leaders, and networking opportunities.
Incentives
The incentives will be awarded in the form of a grant, calculated based on fees and taxes that have been duly paid to the Town. It is recommended that a grant may be considered equal to the following fees and taxes up to the amounts and percentages provided for herein:
• Up to 50 percent of the Town’s planning, building permit fees, and other review fees collected by the Town;
• Up to 50 percent of the business license fees collected by the Town for as many as five years;
• Up to 100 percent of BJWSA’s capacity fees; pending funds being available through the Town’s water and sewer credits;
• Affordable housing projects may qualify for fee waivers as outlined in the Town’s adopted Fee Schedule; and
• Such other Incentives that the Council, at its discretion on a case-by-case basis, determines are appropriate given the amount or type of investment made by the Incentive Recipient in the investment area.
Target Industries
The intended use of the Development must be for one or more of the following business purposes
Healthcare, dental, home health, pharmaceutical retail, and similar ancillary uses;
Child care services;
Affordable housing developments (separately or part of a larger project);
Mixed use commercial and similar flex-use space:
Corporate headquarters; and
Other uses, as may be determined by the Council, that are consistent with the goals and plan.
