Property Tax Abatement/Property Tax Phase-In

An incentive offered to build new or expand existing industrial facilities through the abatement of real and personal property taxes for a set period of time, or for the re-use of vacant industrial buildings. To assist with these efforts, the LaGrange County Council has declared all of unincorporated LaGrange County as a Economic Revitalization Area (ERA) which streamlines the tax-abatement approval process for prospective users. Click here for: Tax Abatement/Phase-in Schedules

Tax Increment Financing (TIF)

Established through Redevelopment Commissions in the various LaGrange County communities, TIF districts capture taxes generated by investments to finance infrastructure, development options, and other improvements inside a specific jurisdictional area. LaGrange County currently has TIF districts throughout unincorporated LaGrange County, as well as in most of the incorporated communities.

Private Activity Bonds

Industrial Revenue and Industrial Development Bonds can be issued by local governmental entities for the benefit of a private company. The proceeds from the bonds can be used to loan to businesses to pay for capital investment projects. The bonds must be paid back by the company. Most often, the bonds are tax exempt for the investor, which generally results in a lower long term interest rate to a borrower.

LaGrange County Revolving Loan Fund

Fund established in late 2012 structured to provide financial assistance to companies looking to relocate or expand in LaGrange County, or for new entrepreneurial ventures. Fund is designed to be used in conjunction with traditional financing. Loans cannot exceed $200,000 or more than 10% of the funds available balance.

The Community Development Corporation of Northeast Indiana (CDC) is a City of Fort Wayne sponsored 501 c (6) not for profit business development organization. Our primary objective is to promote the growth and development of small commercial and industrial for profit businesses in Indiana through creative loan programs.

WorkOne Northeast connects with various state and federal agencies offer grants and incentives to businesses to help train workers. WorkOne can also assist with hiring a skilled workforce for companies that are expanding operations.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) is the State of Indiana’s lead economic development agency. The IEDC was officially established in February 2005 to replace the former Department of Commerce. In order to respond quickly to the needs of businesses, the IEDC operates like a business. The IEDC focuses its efforts on growing and retaining businesses in Indiana and attracting new business to the State of Indiana. The IEDC is focused exclusively on economic development and has incorporated all state entities with economic development responsibilities into its organizational structure.

The purpose of the Northeast Indiana Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) is to enhance economic development in northeast Indiana by assisting new and existing small business. The SBDC is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the State of Indiana, and many local partners, including the City of Fort Wayne and Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW).

21st Fund

The Indiana 21st Century Research and Technology Fund is a dedicated investment fund for Indiana-based companies in a growth stage that have a market size of more than $1 billion and demonstrate clear, sustainable competitive advantages.

Small Business Innovation Research Initiative

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) — along with its sister program, the Small Business Technology Transfer program (STTR) — are highly competitive and encourage small businesses to explore their technological potential. SBIR/STTR funding is available from 11 participating agencies throughout the United States and focuses on various technological areas.

Industrial Development Grant Fund (IDGF)

This grant provides money to local governments for off-site infrastructure projects associated with an expansion of an existing Indiana company or the location of a new facility in Indiana. State funding through the IDGF program must be matched by a combination of local government and company financial support.

Industrial Development Grant Fund (IDGF)

The Workplace Preparedness Grant aims to empower workers in LaGrange County to excel in their chosen occupations by enhancing their skills and increasing their earning potential. This exclusive opportunity is targeted towards individuals who are actively seeking a workforce certification, have completed a certification program after April 1, 2023, or have earned a college degree after the same date. This program was designed to support workers in LaGrange County by providing funding of up to $1000 per eligible worker for essential workplace supplies. Applications can be submitted online, by mail, or via email to sjohnston@lagrangecountyedc.com and/or efincher@lagrangecountyedc.com. Deadline to apply is May 31, 2024.

Tax Exempt Bonds

Private Activity Bonds are often called Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRBs) or Industrial Development Bonds (IDBs) and are issued by state or local governmental entities for the benefit of a private company, usually manufacturers. Interest on the bonds is generally exempt from federal income taxes for investors, which typically results in lower long-term interest rates to the borrower.

LaGrange County Revolving Loan Fund

Fund established in late 2012 structured to provide financial assistance to companies looking to relocate or expand in LaGrange County, or for new entrepreneurial ventures. Fund is designed to be used in conjunction with traditional financing. Loans cannot exceed $200,000 or more than 10% of the funds available balance.

Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit (EDGE)

The Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) is a refundable tax credit program that rewards companies creating jobs and contributing to the growth of Indiana’s economy. EDGE credits are calculated as a percentage of payroll tax withholding for net new Indiana jobs. EDGE credits may be awarded for a period of up to 10 years.

R & D Tax Credit

The Research & Development Tax Credit provides an incentive for business investment in Indiana by providing a credit against state tax liability for qualified company research expenses. The tax credit is based upon the increase in Indiana R&D over the prior three-year basis, and equals up to 15% of the first $1,000,000 of investment, and can be carried forward 10 years.

Hoosier Business Investment Tax Credit (HBI)

This program encourages capital investment in Indiana by providing a credit against a company’s Indiana tax liability. The credit amount is based on a company’s qualified capital investment with the final credit amount determined by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, based on an analysis of the economic benefits of the proposed investment.

Community Revitalization Enhancement Tax Credit (CRED)

The credit is available to taxpayers that make qualified investments for the redevelopment or rehabilitation of property located within a revitalization district. Only those projects that the IEDC expects to have a positive return on investment will be considered.

Venture Capital Investment Tax Credit

The Venture Capital Investment Tax Credit was established to improve access to capital to fast growing Indiana companies by providing individual and corporate investors an additional incentive to invest in early stage firms. Investors who provide qualified debt or equity capital to Indiana companies receive a credit against their Indiana income tax liability.

Headquarters Relocation Tax Credit

When a business relocates its corporate headquarters (defined as the location of the principal office of the principal executives) to Indiana, it is entitled to a credit against its state tax liability equal to half of the costs incurred in relocating the headquarters. A company must have a worldwide annual revenue of at least $100 million to qualify.

Hoosier Alternative Fuel Vehicle Manufacturer Tax Credit

This program provides a credit up to 15% of the qualified investment for the manufacture of alternative fuel vehicles. Applicants must compensate employees at least 150% of the state’s hourly minimum wage, and agree to maintain operations for at least 10 years. This program is designed to foster job creation and higher wages in IN; reduce dependency on imported energy sources; and reduce pollution from traditional fueled vehicles.

Work Opportunities Tax Credit

Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a federal tax credit program that offers incentives to employers who hire individuals who have consistently had difficulty in securing and retaining employment. The credit helps offset the federal tax liability of private, for-profit employers. The program covers only new hires who have not worked for the employer in the past.

Film and Media Tax Credit

Indiana’s Film and Media Tax Credit offers an income tax credit up to 30%, that can be applied to offset certain production expenses. Eligible productions include feature length films, including independent or studio production, or a documentary; a television episodic series, program, or feature; music productions; digital media productions that are intended for reasonable commercial exploitation. The credit offers a 20% base incentive on qualified expenditures, 5% additional incentive for hiring our local talent and a 5% additional incentive when you include Indiana branding in your final project.

Patent Income Exemption

Taxpayers are exempt from certain income derived from qualified utility and plant patents. Qualified taxpayers are eligible for an exemption from 50% of patent income for each of the first five years, and decreases over the next five years to 10% in year ten.

R&D Sales Tax Exemptions

There is a 100 percent sales tax exemption for qualified research and development equipment and property purchased. Taxpayers may file a claim for refund for sales tax paid on such a retail transaction should they not purchase it exempt from sales tax at the time of the actual transaction.

Talent Initiative

The Talent Initiative is an aggressive project funded by the Lilly Endowment to expand the “talent pipeline” needed to support growth of high quality jobs in the northeast Indiana region. Companies must locate in NE Indiana to take advantage of this program. The Talent Initiative focuses on a continuum of strategies from K-12 education to higher education and adult worker retraining – all designed to meed demand for skilled workers in the Defense/Aerospace and Advanced Manufacturing sectors of the regional economy. Training Grants are available for high-tech skills and work certifications that are critical to a company’s success and to our region’s future.

Skills Enhancement Fund

The Skills Enhancement Fund (SEF) provides financial assistance to businesses committed to training their workforce. Trainees must be Indiana residents. SEF reimburses eligible training expenses over a two-year term. Companies may reapply for additional SEF funds after their initial two-year term. IEDC typically does not provide reimbursement for training that is required by law.

Certified Site Ready Program

The Certified Site Ready Program is a northeast Indiana specific site certification program that was established by the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership in conjunction with the Northeast Indiana Foundation and Strategic Development Group Inc. of Columbia, SC. The program was established to increase the number of development ready sites in northeast Indiana. Sites are held to 15 exacting standards to ensure a potential customer that a site is development ready and minimizes the risk a client could face in the development process. LaGrange County has one of only six sites in the ten county region to receive this coveted designation.

Certified Technology Park Program

The Certified Technology Parks program supports the attraction and growth of high-technology business in Indiana and promotes technology transfer opportunities. Designation as a Certified Tech Park allows for the local recapture of certain state and local tax revenue which can be invested in the development of the park. Allen County, Indiana’s Certified Technology Park is the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center.