The original Business Enterprise Criteria was adopted October 25, 1999.  Revisions were approved to the policy on June 21, 2000, and November 13, 2001.

A program summary follows.  For a complete copy, please make request to Chisago County HRA-EDA.

PURPOSE

• To establish criteria as it relates to the use of business subsidies, for private development.

• To be used as a guide in processing and reviewing applications requesting business subsidies.

STATUTORY LIMITATIONS

• Subsidy requests must comply with applicable State Statutes.

• Business subsidies are governed by the limitations established in Minnesota Statutes

PUBLIC POLICY REQUIREMENT

• All business subsidies must meet a public purpose other than increasing the tax base.

APPLICATION PROCESS

• Written application shall be completed for each request, along with supporting data

• HRA-EDA Board shall review each project and make a decision on the granting of a business subsidy.

• The County Board will make the final decision on granting tax abatements.

APPROVAL CRITERIA

The project must meet one or more of the following:

• increase or preserve tax base

• create or retain jobs

• provide or help acquire or construct public facilities

• help develop or renew blighted areas

• help provide access to services for residents of the county

• retain business at risk of relocating outside of the county

Project must comply with any applicable Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinances.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• A resolution of support from the city or township were the proposed project is located.

• The maximum term of business subsidy is ten years.

• The county may limit the amount of the abatement to the following:
  *to a specific dollar amount per year or in total
  *to the increase in property taxes resulting from improvement of the property
  *to the increases in property taxes resulting from increases in the market value or tax capacity of the property
  *in any other manner the governing body of the subdivision determines is appropriate.
  *the political subdivision may not abate tax attributable to the value of the land or the area wide tax under Chapter 276A or 473F.

ADDITIONAL PRIORITY GIVEN FOR

• Create living wage jobs of at least $9.00 an hour plus benefits (as of 10/8/01).

• Firmswhich employ a majority of professional or skilled labor. Business is at risk of locating out of state.

• Projects constructed of block, engineered concrete, brick or quality metal buildings (not pole) which contain decorative accessory materials.

  click here for Business Enterprise Program application
click here for Application Guidelines