Incentives & Programs

Arizona offers a wide variety of economic incentive programs to promote and encourage high-wage job growth and capital investment. The Arizona Department of Commerce is the central source of information for Arizona's business incentives. Please contact the Arizona Department of Commerce and review in detail the available business incentive programs at Arizona Department of Commerce

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (IDA)

The Pinal County IDA promotes and encourages economic growth and job creation by making low-interest loans available to qualified projects through the issuance of tax-exempt bonds. Financing must meet all state and local bond law requirements, and all projects are reviewed by the IDA to ensure that financing candidates represent projects that will help to further Pinal County's vision for economic progress and sustainability. For further details about the IDA and bonding programs, please contact John Fries at [email protected] or by phone 602-440-4819.

BUSINESS PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX DEPRECIATION

HB 2822 substantially lowers personal property tax liability for business owners by 90% or more by accelerating and simplifying the depreciation schedule for business personal property. The law also benefits small business owners by simplifying and streamlining business personal property liability. HB 2822 sets the valuation factor for Class 1, Class 2 (P), and Class 6 of new personal property to 2.5%. Under the new law, all qualifying property classified during or after 2022 is valued at 2.5%, regardless of equipment type or use, creating a low, uniform, and consistent taxable value. For more information, please visit www.azcommerce.com

QUALITY JOBS TAX CREDIT

The Quality Jobs Tax Credit offers up to $9,000 of Arizona income or premium tax credits spread over a three-year period for each net new qualifying job ($3,000 per year). The program encourages continuous employment; therefore, the tax credit is equal to:

The median wage in Pinal County to qualify for this program is $36,830. For further and more detailed information regarding these programs and incentives, please visit the Arizona Department of Commerce or call 602-771-1100.

GOVERNMENT PROPERTY LEASE EXCISE TAX PROGRAM (GPLET)

This program has been established by the State of Arizona and is available to businesses that lease parcels from a municipality rather than own them outright. All real property tax has been waived and replaced with an excise tax that is an established rate per square foot and based upon the type of use. The rate is reduced every ten years by 20% until it reaches the 51st year when the tax drops to zero. In some redevelopment districts, the excise tax can be abated for the first eight years after the certificate of occupancy. If a municipality is a property owner, this creates a huge incentive for a company to occupy the facility, or allows them the cash flow to perform improvements. Any business or entity occupying a facility on property owned by the municipality (the building may be owned by the private entity, but the land on which it sits must be leased from a city). The program typically is used to spur development and redevelopment in downtown areas.

For further and more detailed information regarding these programs and incentives, please visit the Arizona Department of Commerce or call 602-771-1100

Assistance available to Pinal County businesses:

FOREIGN-TRADE ZONE NO. 75

For companies such as manufacturers, warehouse/distribution centers and third-party logistics service providers that import goods, the County’s Board of Supervisors and staff will work with federal and City of Phoenix (FTZ No. 75) representatives to support viable applications for foreign trade zone status and benefits. This process includes assisting in securing support from the various taxing jurisdictions as well as County approval of the reduction in property tax assessments.

TRANSPORTATION/ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS

Pinal County will evaluate participation in roadway projects and build needed public infrastructure on County roads that are deemed our responsibility. Construction of necessary improvements will be triggered by a combination of traffic demand and coordination with our partner communities in order to provide both public benefits and enhanced project viability.

FLOOD CONTROL IMPROVEMENTS

For proposed developments that are in areas under the jurisdiction of Pinal County and are deemed to be in need of flood remediation, the County will coordinate with the Flood Control District to seek to construct and maintain flood control infrastructure.

FEES AND EXPEDITED PERMITTING

Wherever possible, Pinal County will expedite all licensing and permitting processes that are under our jurisdiction. The Pinal County Air Quality Department will work with businesses to ensure compliance with County, State and Federal regulations and to expedite, to the extent possible, the application process.

RECRUITMENT, SCREENING AND TRAINING - PINAL COUNTY ASSISTANCE
Recruitment/Screening

ARIZONA@WORK - Pinal County is an integral component of the ARIZONA@WORK network of employment and training programs designed to provide comprehensive statewide and locally based workforce solutions for job seekers and employers. This local network is guided by the Pinal County Workforce Development Board. The Board is comprised of 19 workforce leaders, a majority of which are private sector business representatives focused on meeting the employment needs of Pinal County’s existing and future employers.

ARIZONA@WORK - Pinal County offers the following business services (at no cost to the employer):

•    Job Postings on Statewide job board, on our social media sites, and in our resource center
•  National, State, and Local Recruitment
•  Virtual Hiring Events
•  Zoom Interviews
•  Referral of Qualified Job Seekers
•  Company Wage Analysis
•  Industry Convening Sessions

County employers also have unrestricted access to the Arizona’s largest online job board (Arizona Job Connection), which provides access to over 13,000 resumes and where over 90,000 employment opportunities are posted daily.

Upon request, companies choosing to locate in Pinal County will be assigned an employment specialist as a single point of contact to provide customized business services to meet their recruitment and training needs. Additional services to be provided include a customized labor market analysis, creation of recruitment collateral, outreach to targeted populations, and space at our job center to conduct interviews of potential candidates.

Job Training (On-going)

ARIZONA@WORK Pinal County offers the following work-based training services to businesses to train candidates and current workers through the Business Advancement Through Training (BATT) Program. BATT aims to foster increased employer engagement and encourage industry partnerships. The BATT Program is offered through reimbursable contracts between the business and the ARZONA@WORK - Pinal County service provider.

• Customized Training: Allows the employer (or group of employers) to create a training program based on their specific needs. Participants of the Customized Training Program must meet certain program eligibility requirements. There must be a commitment that the employer(s) hire an individual upon successful completion of the training. Training must relate to introduction of new technologies, production or service procedures, workplace literacy, and upgrading to new jobs that require additional skills leading to an industry recognized credential or certification. The portion of a business’ contribution is either 10%, 25% or 50% of the training costs, depending on the total number of its employees.
• On-the-Job Training (OJT): Allows employers to provide hands-on training for the skills, knowledge and competencies needed for eligible employees (entry to mid-level) to perform a specific job. The training must relate to the introduction of new technologies, production or service procedures, workplace literacy, and upgrading to new jobs that require additional skills. OJT services provided through the BATT Program are customized and designed for a period of 3 to 6 months and can provide between 50-75% wage rate reimbursements for the costs of providing the training.
• Incumbent Worker Training: Designed to help the qualified employer’s workforce obtain the skills necessary to retain employment and prevent job loss. Participants of the Incumbent Worker Training program must meet certain program eligibility requirements. Training activities are coordinated by the service provider in conjunction with businesses or a group of businesses (which may include businesses in partnership with other entities for delivering such training). The portion of a business’ contribution is either 10%, 25% or 50% of the training costs, depending on the total number of its employees.
• Registered Apprenticeship Program: A structured way for employers to support career development for their employees. As an employee, the apprentice receives supervised, structured on-the-job training and work experience, combined with technical instruction and training and builtin career placement. OJT programs may be utilized in conjunction with the Registered Apprenticeship Program.

Pinal County Job Training Reimbursement Program (Start-up)

A company locating in Pinal County that will operate a new hire training program that is necessary to ensure employees can effectively operate equipment and/or manage work processes may be reimbursed for up to $2,000 in training expenditures for each employee that is a County resident and $1,000 per employee for nonCounty resident. The company can be reimbursed for either in-house or outside training services or programs. An agreement with the County is required in advance of the company commencing training programs and operations. Agreements up to $250,000 can be authorized by the County Manager, while agreements that exceed that figure must be approved by a majority vote of the Pinal County Board of Supervisors.