Incentives

Western Garfield County is comprised of fast growing pro-business communites that welcome new business development. The region recognizes the need to obtain and strengthen a sustainable economic base. Our communities provide a number of amenities to new business development. These amenities are identified in this guide to development.

Please contact the Rifle Regional Economic Development Corporation at info@rifleedc.com or 970.625.4202 for additional information or assistance regarding individualized business incentives.

CITY OF RIFLE BUSINESS INCENTIVE POLICY
Incentives will be targeted at business and industry which meet the City’s goal of developing a long-term, sustainable economic base. To that end, all incentives are considered on a case by case basis depending on the economic impact Factors which will be utilized in evaluating incentive requests will include the following:

  • Capital Investment
  • Job Creation
  • New Goods / Services Offered to the Community
  • Employee Wages
  • Contributions Toward the Economic Diversification of the Area
  • Contributions Toward the Enhancement of the Central Business District or North Rifle Redevelopment Area
  • Contributions Toward Goals Outlined in the City’s Strategic and Comprehensive Plans
  • Findings of the Opportunity Analysis upon its conclusion

Municipal Incentives
The types of incentives the City will consider vary depending upon the type of the project. The following potential City incentives may be available to qualifying companies:

  1. Waiver of Permit Fees: Building Permit fees, plan review, street improvement and other City fees may be considered.
  2. Infrastructure Improvements: The City may consider extending infrastructure to development sites.
  3. Private / Activity Industrial Revenue Bonds: Manufacturers can apply for tax-exempt industrial revenue bonds to help finance construction or relocation of qualifying manufacturing activities.
  4. Local Tax Rebates: The City may consider partial rebate of sales taxes generated by business to assist with infrastructure. This rebate may also be awarded to businesses which are involved with projects that rehabilitate dilapidated structures.
  5. Community Development Block Grants: The City will assist qualifying businesses that apply for State/Federal grants, such as CDBG.

County Incentives
Garfield County offers incentives that qualifying businesses or industry may obtain. These incentives include the following:

  1. Up to 50% rebate on personal property taxes for equipment and machinery for 10 years.
  2. Airport benefits may be available if hangar usage is required.
  3. North West Revolving Loan Fund

State Incentives
The State of Colorado, through the Office of Business Development and Economic Development Commission, offers several incentives to qualifying businesses. The incentives offered by the State include the following:

  1. Investment Tax Credits
  2. Enterprise Zone Program
  3. Job Training Credits
  4. New jobs Credit
  5. Aircraft Manufacturer Tax Credits
  6. Biotechnology Sales and Use Tax Refund
  7. Local Infrastructure Assistance
  8. Local Property Tax Incentives
  9. Manufacturing Revenue Bonds

The City of Rifle will assist new businesses and industrial prospects in applying for these incentives. Please see http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/OEDIT/OEDIT/1167928016940 for more details.

Central Business District Incentives (Downtown Development Authority Area)
The City of Rifle will consider special incentives for businesses expanding or relocating into the Central Business District (DDA area). These incentives may include the following:

  1. Sales Tax Rebates
  2. Use Tax Rebates
  3. Permit and Fee Waivers
  4. Reduced Tap Fees
  5. Cost Sharing in façade, landscaping, and/or design improvements that promote the overall Master Plans for the downtown area.
  6. Capital Investments – The City will consider capital investments in infrastructure, streetscaping, etc. to support expanding and/or new businesses that furthers achievement of overall Master Plans for the Central Business District.

Miscellaneous
The City offers the following general assistance to business and industry:

  1. City staff will assist qualifying businesses or industry with applications for grants, etc. to the State, Federal, and other public entities offering support programs.
  2. City staff will expedite review of development plans for business and industrial developments.
  3. The City will coordinate its efforts with other local entities including Garfield County, Colorado Mountain College, and other entities which may be able to offer business development programs.

REVIEW PROCESS
The City will review applications for economic development assistance on a case by case basis. Criteria which may be considered in review of a project’s merits may include the following:

  1. Job Creation – The number of jobs created, type of job, and salaries will be reviewed. Business opportunities which provide employees a competitive “living wage” may receive greater consideration than businesses that pay minimum wages.
  2. Sales Potential – Retail businesses that have potential to significantly increase the City’s sales tax base may receive favorable consideration. However, the City will also promote diversification of the business community, and to that end, will encourage development of small businesses as well as larger businesses.
  3. Services and Products – The City will promote and support businesses which offer unique goods and services not presently available to the community.
  4. Capital Investment – In granting incentives, the City will take into consideration the amount of capital investment a business brings into the local economy.
  5. Enhancement to the Central Business District – The City aggressively promotes development of new or expansion of existing businesses within the downtown area. To the extent possible, the City will consider special incentives for development in this area.
  6. Compatibility with Long Range Plans – Business or industry that is in compliance with the City’s long range Comprehensive Plans, Strategic Plans, or other Master Plans, will receive favorable consideration when requesting incentives. Also, businesses which further City goals of rehabilitating dilapidated structures or blighted areas will receive favorable consideration.

This policy is intended to remain flexible and fluid. The City may revise the policy as necessary, and may “blend” its application with other components of the development process.