Special Programs

Additional state and regional programs to foster investment and success

Both new and growing businesses can benefit from the breadth of special programs available throughout Washington County. Contact your Washington County project manager for more details and for assistance applying for these programs.

Shovel Ready Certification

Certification program that qualifies sites as "ready for development"
Helps to speed site location and development
Provides competitive advantage for Indiana and drives job growth
To view Shovel Ready sites in the Region, click on Available Properties.

Patent Tax Exemption

Allows tax exemptions for certain income derived from qualified patents (utility and plant)
Total annual exemptions claimed may not exceed $5 million

Regulatory Ombudsman

Assists companies in obtaining permits/approvals for business operation
Serves as a liaison between companies, communities, local economic development organizations and regulatory agencies

International Trade Show Assistance (TSAP)

Provides financial assistance for small Indiana businesses to participate in international trade shows
Encourages companies to explore overseas markets
Helps promote Indiana exports

Server Equipment Tax Exemption

Supports the attraction and growth of companies with large server operations
Server equipment is tax exempt

Tax Abatement

Tax abatement is a tool for local government’s to expand the economy. By encouraging new investment, tax abatement will increase or maintain the basic employment in the community, encourage redevelopment of deteriorated areas, and/or stimulate investment in specific areas of a community. Tax abatement is one of the primary incentives available to local government to promote economic development; to learn more about tax abatement, eligibility, or how to qualify please contact Washington County.

Economic Revitalization Area

An area which is within the corporate limits of a city, town, or county which has become undesirable for, or impossible of, normal development and occupancy because of a lack of development, cessation of growth, deterioration of improvements or character of occupancy, age, obsolescence, substandard buildings, or other factors which have impaired values or prevent a normal development of property or use of property. The City of Salem had designated most of its downtown area an Economic Revitalization Area to assist with tax abatement needs and encourage the re-growth of the downtown area.

Salem Urban Enterprise Zone

An Enterprise Zone is a specific geographic area targeted for economic revitalizing. Enterprise Zones encourage economic growth and investment in distressed areas by offering tax advantages and incentives to businesses locating within the zone boudaries. The zone businesses can take advantage of of an Investment Cost Credit, Loan Interest Credit, Employment Expense Credit and employees can take advantage of an Employee Wage Deduction. The City of Salem city limits has been designated the Salem Urban Enterprise Zone and any business located within that zone as well as employees that live and work in this zone can apply for these incentives.

Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District

Tax increment financing is an alluring tool that allows municipalities to promote econimic development by earmarking property tax revenue from increases in assessed value with in a designated TIF district. Washington County has designated approximately 943 acres as a TIF district. This district includes an industrial park, two medical complexes, and a banquet hall. TIF expenditures are often debt financed in anticipation of future tax revenues.

Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT)

Washington County has an EDIT tax that is used to help fund economic development activities.