May 24, 2016. Sterling, Colorado. Logan County Economic Development Corporation (LCEDC) is pleased to announce that the Colorado Economic Development Commission (EDC) voted unanimously to approve Logan County for participation in the Colorado Rural Jump-Start program. With the approval, Logan County joins only three other counties that have been approved for the program, and positions Logan County to be the only Northern and Eastern Colorado County approved to participate.

Logan County was sponsored by Northeastern Junior College (NJC), and the zone created includes the entire unincorporated county and the city of Sterling. Other incorporated towns in the county are also considering participation. The program is a joint effort of LCEDC, NJC, Logan County and the City of Sterling.

Because the Rural Jump-Start statute only allows three zones to be approved for 2016, Logan County was approved with the stipulation that program benefits commence on January 1, 2017. Companies interested in participating in the Rural Jump-Start program in Logan County are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as they can still apply, be reviewed and be approved in 2016 for a benefit period starting on January 1, 2017.

The program, based on Colorado Senate Bill 15-282, is a tax relief program for qualified businesses and new hires who locate into Jump-Start zones which will offer:

  • Relief from state income taxes for the new business
  • Relief from the state sales & use tax for the business
  • Relief from county and municipal personal property tax
  • Relief from state income taxes for the employee

Trae Miller, LCEDC Executive Director, said the first step for any interested business is to contact LCEDC for a “first level” review of the program criteria and determine whether the business is eligible. Applications for the Logan County Zone will be administered through NJC, and if approved locally, move on to the state EDC for final approval.

The LCEDC board of directors and staff are excited to leverage this new incentive program to encourage qualified companies to consider Logan County for expansion or relocation of their business. Trae noted, “The collaboration of the local entities involved in this program also demonstrates the strength and commitment of key players for working together to improve and grow our local economy.”

He added, “LCEDC faces challenges when working to recruit certain industries to expand in Logan County including concerns around housing availability and workforce. However, this program provides another tool to help us overcome those challenges, which we can address over time. The option of these incentives has already had a positive impact on conversations with current prospects and for getting the attention of new ones.”

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