Texas is “open for business” and using its Enterprise Zone to lure California businesses looking to relocate.  Is Jerry Brown listening?

With shovel ready sites situated in an enterprise zone the Levelland Economic Development Corporation sees the new Levelland Industrial Rail Park as the key to developing a diversified local economy.  By paring this new rail infrastructure with the local skilled workforce and integrating ourselves into the wind energy logistic supply chain, Levelland can take advantage of the expanding renewable energy industry exploding throughout the region.  Levelland also offers opportunities to California businesses considering relocation or expansion by helping reduce the normal stress related with such capital intensive projects.  Our exceptional economic environment, warm weather, famous hospitality and affordable cost of living make Levelland an ideal choice for businesses looking to make a move. Texas Governor Rick Perry says, “Texas Wide Open for Business” and Levelland is a great place to enter the Lone Star State. 

Read it here.

The FTB’s January Tax News.

Newly elected Democrat Luis Alejo, of the 28th Assembly District, is lining up in favor of Enterprise Zones.  “The Enterprise Zone program should be strengthened rather than eliminated,”  Alejo said in a January 1 article in The Californian.  Although a new Democrat, Alejo was picked by Speaker Perez to be Vice Chairman of the Assembly Local Government Committee.  Alejo is also a member of the Assembly Budget Committee.  He joins JEDE committee chair Manuel Perez in voicing strong support for the Enterprise Zones.

The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 extended the R&D credits for another two years.   Because of the heavy burden in producing document and calculating the traditional fixed base percentage, many companies opt for the Alternative Simplified Method despite yielding a lower credit percentage.  There was a big push to increase the Alternative Simplified Credit percentage from 14% to 17%, but the Tax Act didn’t go that far.  For the next two years, taxpayers who choose to use the ASC method will have to live with the 14%.

The League of California Cities urges everyone to contact their local political leaders and educate them as to the benefits and worthiness of the EZ program.  “City officials from communities with Enterprise Zones are encouraged to begin talking to their legislators now about the jobs and economic benefits these zones bring.”  View the Leage of Cities piece.

Here is the FTB’s December Tax News.

Sarting toda, the new HCD voucher fees are in effect.  Every application to the state will now cost $15 instead of $10.  Here is the HCD’s Voucher Fee Increase Memo.

A plethora of different business group are collaborating together to host a small business tax forum which will include discussions on taking advantage of the Enterprise Zone Program.  The different groups include Oakland’s Mayor, Alameda County Small Business Development Center, Northern California Small Business Financial Development Corporation, Black Economic Council, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, East Bay Economic Development Alliance, The Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, African American Chamber of Commerce, Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce and the Alameda County Bar Association.

 Here is the flyer for the event.

“Salinas, Greenfield and other south Monterey County cities lining up to take action are doing the right thing by approving expansion of the Salinas Valley Enterprise Zone.  By doing so, they are sending a message loudly and clearly that we welcome businesses to set up shop in our communities.”

  Read the article here.

Coachella valley EZ has come up with a simple yet catchy way to advertise its EZ.  They’ve put up road signs alerting businesses that they are “entering” an EZ.  Here’s the article.