About the ENHANCED ENTERPRISE ZONE Program

Click here to see a countywide map of Enhanced Enterprise Zones

STATUTORY CITATION: §§ 135.950-135.973 RSMO

Cass County is pro-business and aims to exceed your expectations!

Grow Your Business in One of Our Five Enhanced Enterprise Zones

Southeast Cass County Enhanced Enterprise Zone

Northeast Cass County Enhanced Enterprise Zone (pending: please contact Melissa Freeman at 816-914-9456 for more information)

Harrisonville Enhanced Enterprise Zone

Drexel Enhanced Enterprise Zone

Belton Enhanced Enterprise Zone

FUNDING LIMITS: Tax credits are determined by the Missouri
Department of Economic Development, based upon the number of new jobs, wages and new capital investment the project will create. Tax credits issued under this program are limited to $14,000,000 annually, effective 12/3/07.

TYPE OF BENEFITS: Tax Credits. This tax credit can be applied to Ch. 143, Income tax, excluding withholding tax. Tax credits can only be applied to tax liability for the year in which they are earned. The tax credits are refundable or may be transferred sold or assigned. The sale price cannot be less than 75% of the par value of such tax credits.

DESCRIPTION OF BENEFITS: Tax credits and real property tax abatement of at least 50% for ten years.

ALLOWED USES OF BENEFITS: Tax credits may be transferred, sold or assigned.
The sale price cannot be less than 75% of the par value of such tax credits.

Enhanced Enterprise Zones are specified geographic area designated by local governments and certified by the Department of Economic Development (DED). Zone designation is based on certain demographic criteria, the potential to create sustainable jobs in a targeted industry and a demonstrated impact on local industry cluster development.

Click here to see if you are an ELIGIBLE BUSINESS TYPE:

Individual business eligibility will be determined by the zone, based on creation of sustainable jobs in a targeted industry or demonstrated impact on local industry cluster development.

Service industries can be eligible if a majority of their annual revenues will be derived from services provided out of the state. Headquarters or administrative offices of an otherwise excluded business may qualify if the offices serve a multistate territory. The company cannot have been announced or construction started prior to the approval process.

Ineligible Applicants include gaming establishments (NAICS group 7132), Retail trade (NAICS sectors 44 and 45), Educational services (NAICS sector 61), Religious organizations (NAICS group 8131), Public administrators (NAICS sector 92) and Food and drinking places (NAICS subsector 722) are prohibited by statute from receiving the state tax credits.

BENEFITS ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: The Enhanced Enterprise Zone program is a discretionary program offering state tax credits, accompanied by local real property tax abatement, to Enhanced Business Enterprises. Tax credits may be provided each year for five tax years after the project commences operations. To receive tax credits for any of the five years, the facility must create and maintain the minimum:

• New or expanded business facility – 2 new employees and $100,000 new investment;
• Replacement business facility – 2 new employees and $1,000,000 new investment

Eligible investment expenditures include the original cost of machinery, equipment, furniture, fixtures, land and building, and/or eight times the annual rental rate paid for the same. Inventory is not eligible.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Department of Economic Development must first offer program benefits to the business in the form of a formal proposal. The company must return the accepted proposal within 90 days of the proposal date. The company must submit the Notice of Intent (NOI) and receive the Approval Letter before the start of construction, and/or purchase of machinery and equipment. NOIs will be accepted by DED at any time of the year and will be approved on an individual, case-by-case, based on compliance with all program criteria.

For more information, please contact:

Melissa Freeman
Executive Director
Cass County Corporation of Economic Development

102 E. Wall Street
Harrisonville, Missouri 64701
816 380 8114 office • 816 914 9456 mobile
www.ShowMeCassCounty.com
mfreeman@ShowMeCassCounty.com