Businesses that qualify receive expedited review of all county-related services. The EDC collaborates with key county staff to help keep your project on schedule through ongoing communication, including meetings where all the key players are at the table and to help streamline the regulatory process for your project, while you focus on your business. If you don’t think it’s possible for government and the private sector to work together, move quickly, and reduce your carrying costs, prepare to be pleasantly surprised.

The EDI is a grant program offered by Manatee County Government to expanding, new, or relocating targeted sector businesses, regardless of location in Manatee County, that create at least ten (10) quality jobs (including health benefits), meet the Manatee County average annual wage criteria, cost/benefit analysis demonstrates a rate of return of at least 15% and payback period of 7 years or less. A company must also be environmentally compatible, represent an end-user, and submit an EDI application PRIOR to making a final decision to expand/relocate (including leasing space, purchasing property, or making a public announcement), and demonstrate that the grant will make a material difference in the company’s decision to expand or locate in Manatee County, Florida.

This incentive provides relief for the multi-modal impact fee to expanding, new, or relocating businesses that create at least ten (10) quality jobs with company wages at or above 115% of the Manatee County average annual wage. The jobs created must be targeted industries as established by Enterprise Florida, or a local targeted industry. The amount of the incentive is based on the square footage of construction, the use of the building (See Sample Fee Structure Sheet), multi-modal impact fees assessed, and the average annual wage of the company. The award amount is finalized and paid when the company completes construction activities and applies for the Certificate of Occupancy (CO).

Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption may be available to qualifying new or expanding targeted sector businesses. Minimum eligibility includes:

• A business establishing 10 or more new jobs to employ 10 or more full-time employees in this state, paying an average wage for such new jobs that is above the average wage in the area, which principally engages in any one or more of the following operations:
  • Manufactures, processes, compounds, fabricates, or produces for sale items of tangible personal property at a fixed location and which comprises an industrial or manufacturing plant: or
  • Is a target industry as defined by FS 288.106(2)(q)
• An expanding business establishing twenty-five (25) or more full-time jobs and sells more than 50% of products outside of Manatee County.
• An office space in the County leased or owned and used by a corporation newly domiciled in Manatee County; provided such office space houses fifty (50) or more full-time employees of such corporation; provided that such business or office first begins operation on a site clearly separate from any other commercial or industrial operations owned by the same business.
• The business must have legal title to real or personal property in order to apply. The EDAVTE approval process includes application, review by Property Appraiser’s Office and public hearing with the BCC.