Purpose:
To recruit new and needed businesses to Washington by offering discounted utility rates for electricity, and water/sewer, as well as discounted permit fees for plans and water and sewer tap fees.
Eligibility:
The Utility Incentive Program applies only for a “New Local Business Entity” that locates within the service territory of the City of Washington after the effective date of this program. Also, an eligible business must be located in an existing structure or building, located within the city limits, and be billed under commercial utility rates. Home based businesses are not eligible.
(2) Moreover, that leads to the creation of at least two new full-time jobs averaging at least 30 hours per week per job.
Process:
Rate Reduction Incentive Schedule:
Electricity*
Water and Sewer
20% rate reduction – Year1
10% rate reduction –Year 2
5% rate reduction – Year 3
20% rate reduction – Year1
10% rate reduction –Year 2
5% rate reduction – Year 3
Permit Fees*
Water and Sewer Tap Fees
100% fee reduction
*Permit fees shall be defined as Building permit fees and Land Disturbance permit fees.
20% fee reduction
On Time Utility Payments Required:
In return for receiving these special incentive utility rates, the business owner agrees to make on-time utility payments.
To recruit new and needed businesses to Washington by offering discounted utility rates for electricity, and water/sewer, as well as discounted permit fees for plans and water and sewer tap fees.
Eligibility:
The Utility Incentive Program applies only for a “New Local Business Entity” that locates within the service territory of the City of Washington after the effective date of this program. Also, an eligible business must be located in an existing structure or building, located within the city limits, and be billed under commercial utility rates. Home based businesses are not eligible.
- A “New Local Business Entity” is defined as:
(2) Moreover, that leads to the creation of at least two new full-time jobs averaging at least 30 hours per week per job.
- A change of ownership of an existing business operating within the City of Washington can qualify. Only if, the previous owner has no vested interest in or is related to new ownership.
- The City reserves the right to end this program at any time and the New Local Business Entity, in consideration of the benefits of the program, waives and any all claims against the City of Washington, including any claim for damages, resulting from any termination or modification of the program.
- Eligible Businesses Types:
- Hotels, Inns, & Bed & Breakfasts
- Health Services and Social Services (80 & 83)
- Apparel and Accessory Stores
- Specialty Retail
- Sporting Goods / Recreational Outfitter
- Beverage Manufacture
- The City of Washington reserves the right to offer incentives to businesses not listed with approval from Council.
Process:
- Upon completing New Local Business Entity Application, the Main Street Department will submit to City Manager the information collected for services required by the New Business Entity for completion of Utility Service Agreement.
- A New Local Business Entity that received the reduced rate must certify to the Main Street Director of Washington by affidavit received on or before the end of the 14th month following the month in which the first incentive is received and each 12 months thereafter for the duration of the incentives, the retention or creation of new jobs.
Rate Reduction Incentive Schedule:
Electricity*
Water and Sewer
20% rate reduction – Year1
10% rate reduction –Year 2
5% rate reduction – Year 3
20% rate reduction – Year1
10% rate reduction –Year 2
5% rate reduction – Year 3
Permit Fees*
Water and Sewer Tap Fees
100% fee reduction
*Permit fees shall be defined as Building permit fees and Land Disturbance permit fees.
20% fee reduction
On Time Utility Payments Required:
In return for receiving these special incentive utility rates, the business owner agrees to make on-time utility payments.
- Only one (1) late payment will be allowed during any twelve (12) month period.
- If the account becomes delinquent a second time during the twelve month period, the special incentive discount shall become null and void, and the utility rates will revert to the full rates then in effect for the applicable services.
- Any account that is turned off for nonpayment shall immediately have the incentive discount discontinued and revert to the full rates then in effect for the applicable services.
- If any New Local Business Entity fails to report the retention or addition of new jobs or fails to show the requisite job creation, the special incentive discount shall become null and void from the date such report was due, and the utility rates shall revert to the full rates then in effect for the applicable services.
- In the event the New Local Business Entity never meets the requisite job creation, it shall be liable to the City of Washington for any incentive received under this program.
|
| ||||