Changes to JOBZ program aimed at improving oversight

Minnesota DEED has announced changes that officials say will improve oversight of the Job Opportunity Building Zone (JOBZ) program.

The changes include:

• All new JOBZ applications will be reviewed by DEED officials. A new application have been developed for use by local governments and/or subzone administrators.
• A new evaluation process has been developed to determine if a proposed project is eligible for the JOBZ tax benefits.
• A new mandatory Business Subsidy Agreement (BSA) template is available. 
• Businesses that are new to JOBZ will be required to report on the number of jobs created and wages paid two years after their program anniversary date.
• Businesses that are relocating their operations into a JOBZ site must report on jobs and wages one year after they begin operations.
• A business that meets most but not all of the goals of its BSA can remain in the program if DEED, the local government and the business agree on a new set of goals.

For more information on the registration guidelines, plus a JOBZ application and a helpful JOBZ tax benefit calculator, visit the JOBZ Web site.