Illinois Department of Commerce Begins Review of Enterprise Zone Applications
18 applications for 12 awards includes Lincoln/Logan Co.

[January 27, 2016]  SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Commerce announced today that it has received eighteen (18) applications for the second round of Enterprise Zone designations. Applications will be reviewed by the Department and then evaluated for selection by the state’s Enterprise Zone Board.

Enterprise Zones encourage job growth and investment in economically depressed areas. Companies within a zone, or that agree to move into one, can qualify for tax incentives that include sales tax exemptions on purchases of building materials and manufacturing equipment and an exemption for utility taxes. Each zone is administered by a local official under rules set by the state.

Illinois law provides that twelve (12) zones may be designated this year. The Department certified 49 zones to take effect on January 1, 2016.

Once designated, a community may remain an Enterprise Zone for fifteen (15) years, with a review by the Enterprise Zone Board after thirteen (13) years for a possible ten (10) year extension of the zone designation.

Current Applications for Enterprise Zones (in alphabetical order):

1. Beardstown

2. Bloomington/Normal/McLean/Gibson/Ford

3. Bureau Putnam Area

4. Calumet Region

5. Chicago VI

6. Flora/Clay County

7. Greater Centralia Area

8. Greenville/Bond County

9. Illinois Valley

10. Jersey/Greene Intermodal

11. Lee/Ogle

12. Lincoln/Logan County

13. Livingston County

14. Marshall County

15. Olney/Richland/Newton/Jasper

16. Peoria Royal County

17. Rantoul

18. Village of Hoffman Estates/Huntington 90

For more information on Illinois’ Enterprise Zone Program, and for more resources about doing business in Illinois, visit www.illinois.gov/dceo.

[Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity]