Target Industry Incentives
Local programs
Ad Valorem Tax Exemption (AVTE) – The Ad Valorem Tax Exemption Program for Real Property and Tangible Personal Property in St. Lucie County is a performance-based incentive for targeted industries. The exemption amount is based on capital investment, job creation and average wage. The Ad Valorem Tax Exemption is an annual exemption of local levy taxes based on a tiered percentage as determined through the application process. A company must make a substantial capital investment and create a minimum of 10 new full-time jobs at a minimum average wage of 107% of the St. Lucie County average wage for consideration. (St. Lucie County Annual Average Wage is $22.02).
Job Growth Investment Grant (JGIG) - The Job Growth Investment Grant is a St. Lucie County job performance grant. The grant requires a minimum of 10 new full-time jobs to be created at an aver-age wage of 107% of the St. Lucie County average wage. The incentive base award is $1,500 per new job with tiered bonus values for the creation of greater than 50 jobs, annual average wage greater than 125% of St. Lucie County average wages, use of licensed general contractor and/or subcontractors with a brick-and-mortar location in St. Lucie County for improvements/new construction, and 90% of employees residing in St. Lucie County. Awards less than $50,000 have a two-year pay period; greater than $50,000 is capped at 20% annual payout of total award.
Impact Fee Mitigation (IFM) – St. Lucie County, the City of Port St. Lucie and the City of Fort Pierce offer an Impact Fee Mitigation program. The St. Lucie County program is an impact fee mitigation for “road” fees only; City of Port St. Lucie and City of Fort Pierce impact fee mitigation is for all city fees. The programs offer mitigation at the onset of a project in the amount up to $3,500 per new full-time job performance. The Impact Fee Mitigation programs require a minimum of 10 new jobs at an average wage of 107% of the St. Lucie County average wage for consideration.
Expedited Planning and Permitting – A qualified targeted industry project (ie: distribution/logistics, manufacturing, marine, aviation, life sciences, headquarters, aquaculture, and professional services) is eligible for expedited planning and permitting, providing for quick turnaround time for plan review and building permits, saving time and money. Our process includes economic development team meetings as often as needed with key department leaders at the onset of a project to provide early insight and feedback on a proposed project’s planning and design to aide in moving the project forward with “speed-to-market” timelines. The targeted industry project expedited planning and permitting process includes a designated business navigator and continual economic development team meetings throughout the project and to completion.
UTILITIES
Florida Power & Light - A new or existing business may be eligible for Florida Power and Light’s Economic Development Rider providing a tiered discount rate on power for four years – 20%/15%/10%/5%. The eligibility requires new meter load of 350 kW and the creation of 25 new jobs. Additional new job creation in increments of 25 new jobs will require an additional new meter load of 350kW demand.
Fort Pierce Utilities Authority - A new or expanding business may be eligible for Fort Pierce Utility Authority incentive programs. These programs include discounted electric rates based on new electric demand of 20 kW to 100 kW providing a tiered discount from 5% to 25%; 300 kW or greater is eligible for a negotiated contract rate.
Electric Sales Tax Exemption - Charges for electricity used directly and exclusively at a fixed location to operate machinery and equipment used to manufacture, process, compound, or produce items of tangible personal property for sale may be exempt from sales tax if 50% or greater of the electricity/steam is used for this purpose.
WORKFORCE ASSISTANCE
Quick Response Training Grant (QRT) - This State of Florida grant is available to train new, full-time employees. Grant funding is provided in the form of a reimbursable grant for customized, skills based training. The program is available for new or expanding businesses in Florida’s targeted industries (ie: manufacturing). The new employee wage must meet 125% or greater of St. Lucie County’s average wage.
Incumbent Worker Training Program (IWT) - This State of Florida grant is available to upskill existing employees on the payroll six months or greater. This grant covers an array of training from software to management and leadership, providing a 50% reimbursement of training costs if a company has more than than 50 employees and a 75% reimbursement of training costs if less than 50 employees.
On-The-Job Training Grant (OJT) - Available through our local workforce partner, this grant is available for candidates seeking employment that meet WIOA (Workforce Investment Opportunity Act) criteria and eligibility. The grant provides a 50% reimbursement of wages for up to 12 weeks to offset the cost of training in skill gaps of new employees.