Business Assistance

Job Opportunity Building Zones (JOBZ)

What is JOBZ?
Job Opportunity Building Zones (JOBZ) is a new and exciting tool to stimulate business activity in Greater Minnesota. Eligible business in a zone will operate in an environment nearly free of state and local taxes. These tax incentives will help new and expanding companies lower their overall costs and facilitate their growth. Crookston has designated approximately 500 acres to qualifying applicants.

Who is eligible?
To qualify for the tax exemptions, a business must start-up in the zone, relocate from outside the zone or expand. Companies relocating from another Minnesota site qualify by increasing employment by 20 percent within the first year or making capital investment of at least 10 percent of gross revenues. In addition, businesses must also meet local business assistance goals to qualify for tax exemptions.

How long will JOBZ last?
Exemptions are available for up to 12 years beginning in January 2004.

How do I access the program?
JOBZ-related information is available at www.positivelyminnesota.com or by contacting Theresa Tahran, CHEDA, office at 218-281-8053.

Crookston is located in the Land of the Dancing Sky JOBZone and has 500 subzone acres available for development

enlarge map (PDF) >>>

Please see our Available Property page for all the latest available commercial properties located in the Crookston JOBZ zones (each eligible property will be marked with the JOBZ logo).

How does JOBZ save you money?
JOBZ tax incentives will reduce company expenses, increase competitiveness, and help sustain further growth and expansion in Crookston, Minnesota:

Tax Exemptions:

• Corporate Taxes
  -- income tax, alternative minimum tax, minimum fee
• Individual Taxes
  -- income tax on investment income, alternative minimum tax
• Sales and Use Taxes
• Most Property Taxes
  -- except for land, general obligation bonds, and school operating levies in place prior to zone designation
• Wind Energy Production Tax

Tax Credit:

• Job Creation Credit

How much can JOBZ save you?

Manufacturing Company Example

• Existing company with 20 percent of operations in zone.
• Zone operations located in owned space valued at $8 million in 2004, increasing 1 percent annually.
• Minnesota taxable income of $10 million in 2005, increasing 5 percent annually.
• Employment of 100 people in zone, increasing 3 percent annually. Average wage of $50,000 grows 3 percent annually.
• Construction purchases of $10 million in 2004. Ongoing taxable purchases of $400,000 in 2005, increasing 4 percent annually.

Use the JOBZ Calculator
Estimate how much your business can save by locating in a Crookston JOBZone. The JOBZ Calculator can be accessed at http://www.deed.state.mn.us/bizdev/jobz.htm

Why Minnesota?

• Minnesota ranks as the most liveable state (7 years straight), according to Morgan Quitno Press.
• Minnesota is one of only three states awarded straight As for business vitality, performance and development capacity on the Corporation for Enterprise Development’s 2003 report card.
• Minnesota businesses have the 4th lowest failure rate in the country, according to data from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
• In recent years, Minnesota has worked to substantially reduce business taxes, saving businesses over $1 billion annually.

Download the Official Crookston, Minnesota JOBZone Brochure (coming soon) or visit their website at www.positivelyminnesota.com for more information.