Incentives
Augusta-Richmond County offers competitive incentives to relocating and expanding companies. These incentives are designed to provide companies locating in Augusta-Richmond County a competitive edge by reducing both startup and long-term operating costs. Augusta-Richmond County is a Tier 1 county.
Incentives for locating in Augusta
* BizJournals.com named Augusta as the “Most Affordable Place to Own A Home in the United States”
** Southern Business & Development magazine named Augusta as one of the “Top Locations in the South With Plenty of Talented Labor”
Tax Abatements
Tax savings (abatements) may be provided through the Augusta Economic Development Authority if a company chooses to finance its capital investment (land, building and equipment) using Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRBs). Pursuant to IRB financing, title to the assets is deeded to the Augusta Economic Development Authority and the deeded properties are leased to the company. The company will either (1) lease the land, building and equipment from the Development Authority for a nominal fee (usually $10 per year) with the company maintaining the annual amortization of the IRBs, or (2) the company will lease the land, building and equipment from the Development Authority with the rent being used to pay the bonds. The specific tax abatement is determined by the local board of assessors, but is usually about 50% of the normal ad valorem taxes. For example, a company may receive a 50% tax abatement for the entire life of the industrial revenue bonds but not to exceed 20 years.
Site Preparation
Augusta-Richmond County may provide some improvements to a property site in preparation for construction of a facility by a prospect. At the Augusta Corporate Park, owned by the Augusta Economic Development Authority, funds are available for infrastructure improvement to include on-site utilities, soil boring tests and grading.
Infrastructure Improvements
Depending on specific needs and scope of a project, Augusta-Richmond County may provide improvements to a site such as an access road. Specific improvements would be determined in discussions with a prospect.
Utility Rates
A particular utility may negotiate a reduced rate with a prospective consumer. Any reduction would be based upon the consumer usage and other specifics to the project.
Permitting Fees
Augusta-Richmond County may arrange for "concierge permitting" for obtaining necessary permits and/or provide a reduction in the required permit fees.
Freeport Exemptions
Augusta-Richmond County voters have elected to exempt the following types of commercial and industrial inventory:
Augusta-Richmond County exempts 100% of all qualified inventory from manufacturers eligible for Freeport exemption. The deadline for filing an application for Freeport exemption with the Board of Tax Assessors is April 1 to receive the full exemption. For more information on Freeport exemptions click the link below: