Enhanced Enterprise Zone

Property Tax Abatement

Qualified businesses locating in the Enhanced Enterprise Zone are entitled to receive local real property tax abatement on 50% of the new investment (excluding land and personal property) for a period of ten (10) years.

In order to encourage sustainable building practices, qualified businesses may also be entitled to an additional 25% real property tax abatement (75% total abatement) if the business facility achieves a Silver rating or higher under the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.

The City Economic Development Director is designated as the Enhanced Enterprise Zone (EEZ) Administrator. Upon application by a business, the EEZ Administrator certifies to the County Assessor that the business is physically located in the Zone and is an eligible industry to receive abatement

Businesses that locate or expand within a designated enhanced enterprise zone and qualify as one of Springfield's targeted industries are entitled to 50% abatement on improvements for 10 years.

• Property tax abatement will typically not be granted above the 50% level, except in those cases where the development achieves a Silver rating or higher from the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. Those projects will be granted a 25% bonus abatement (75% total abatement).
• Businesses must apply for Enhanced Enterprise Zone abatement prior to the County Assessor assessing the improvements and certifying the improvements to the County Collector.
• Property taxes will not be reduced below the amount of tax on land and improvements paid in the year preceding the certification for Enhanced Enterprise Zone abatement.

All projects will be reviewed for consistency with both the policies for the desired incentive as well as the general policies listed on the Overview and General Policies page.

Excluded industry sectors - Section 135.950(9) RSMo

All gambling establishments (NAICS industry group 7132), retail trade (NAICS sectors 44 and 45), education services (NAICS sector 61), religious organizations (NAICS industry group 8131), public administration (NAICS sector 92), and food and drinking places (NAICS subsector 722) are excluded from receiving Enhanced Enterprise Zone benefits.

Headquarters exception – Section 135.950(9)(b)RSMo

Headquarters or administrative offices of an otherwise excluded business may qualify for benefits if the offices serve a multistate territory. In the event a national, state, or regional headquarters operation is not the predominant activity of a project facility, the new jobs and investments of such headquarters operation is considered eligible for benefits under this section if the other requirements are satisfied.

*Wholesale and warehousing are specifically authorized as eligible industries within Springfield Enhanced Enterprise Zone (see map). Please contact staff for additional information.
   

Sections 135.950 through 135.973 RSMo.

City of Springfield Resolutions 9243, 9745, 9746, and 9747

City of Springfield Special Ordinances 24774, 25710, 25711, and 25712