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Palm Beach County
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

"Partnering today, for your success tomorrow."

Palm Beach County Revolving Energy Fund Loan Program
Now Accepting Applications

The Economic Development Office is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for our Revolving Energy Fund Loan Program. The Program will offer low interest, fixed rate, long term loans for local businesses to reduce the cost of doing business by implementing energy saving building retrofits and/or renewable energy projects. Click here for more info...


 

Enterprise Zone &
Urban Job Tax Credit

 
Address Search
Find out if your business is located within a Florida Enterprise Zone or an Urban Job Tax Credit area.
Click on the Address Locator.
 

Rural Area of Critical Economic Concern Designation

 
The municipalities of Belle Glade, Pahokee and South Bay are included in a Rural Area of Critical Economic Concern Designation by the Governor of the State of Florida, as identified in Executive Order 01-26 below.

Chapter 288.0656 (7), Florida Statutes, authorizes the designation of up to three rural areas of critical economic concern within the State of Florida. To date, two regions have been designated by an Executive Order of the Governor.
  • Executive Order 99-275, signed by the Governor on November 8, 1999, included the counties of Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, and Washington.
     
  • Executive Order 01-26, signed by the Governor on January 26, 2001, included the counties of DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, and Okeechobee, and the cities of Pahokee, Belle Glade, and South Bay.
The key economic indicators or factors used in determining the designation include per capita income, average annual wages, percentage of people in poverty, and average annual unemployment rate.

There are three primary reasons why counties want to be in a rural area of critical economic concern:
  • The rural area of critical economic concern designation provides communities with support for economic development efforts and authorization for waivers of criteria, requirements, or similar provisions of any economic development initiatives authorized in statutes.
     
  • Legislation passed during the past two legislative sessions provides counties located in rural areas of critical economic concern with special consideration when dealing with state agencies or qualifying for certain programs.
     
  • State agencies designing programs are including the rural area of critical area concern designation as a factor in future program decisions. For example, the Florida Department of Transportation is utilizing the rural area of critical economic concern designation as a consideration in the development of the "Strategic Inter-modal System" for connecting key roads, railways, seaports and airports.
 

EDO Location

 
100 Australian Avenue, Suite 500
West Palm Beach, FL 33406
phone:  (561) 233-3671
fax:  (561) 656-7543 e-fax
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