Economic
Development
Municipal Restoration Zone
The City of Fresno award
winning Municipal
Restoration Zone (MRZ) program was
first presented by Mayor Alan Autry in January
2006, as a way to stimulate business growth in
the underutilized areas of Fresno. On October
31, 2006, the City Council unanimously adopted a
resolution establishing the MRZ.
To find out if your business is located in the
MRZ, or one of our other incentive zones, check
our
Incentive Zone Address Locator.
For questions regarding the MRZ, e-mail Melodee
Schwamb
at the City of Fresno Economic Development
Department or call (559) 621-8366.
Overview
 The
MRZ allows new or qualified expanding businesses within the zone boundaries
to obtain refunds of business license fees, reductions of building permit
fees, and refunds of sales and/or property taxes, in addition to the
intitiatives already in place as part of the Federal Empowerment Zone and
State Enterprise Zone. These incentives are designed to help motivate
business development and expansion, and job creation in the City's urban
core.
The Municipal Restoration Zone boundaries contain all properties with the
City Limits south of McKinley Avenue and west of Peach Avenue.
MRZ Boundary Map
Enterprise Zone
CONGRATULATIONS! The City of Fresno received a brand new Enterprise Zone
designation on November 3, 2006!! This new zone is larger than the old
zone and is includes most of Blackstone Ave, the River Park shopping area, parts
of Shaw Ave and the 99 Corridor. A link to a map of this NEW Enterprise Zone
can be found at the bottom of this page. Businesses in this new zone can begin
taking advantage of the benefits immediately, retroactive to October 14, 2006!!
To find out if your business is located in the Enterprise Zone, or one of our
other incentive zones, check our
Incentive Zone Address Locator.
For questions regarding the Enterprise Zone, e-mail Kelly
Vaughan Trevino at the City of Fresno
Economic Development Department or call (559) 621-8426.
Overview
The City
of Fresno was originally granted an Enterprise Zone designation in October
1986. This zone expired on October 14, 2006. At this time the City of Fresno
has received a "conditional designation" for a brand
new Enterprise Zone.
Businesses in the zone - from large manufacturing
companies to small neighborhood restaurants - can significantly reduce their
state income taxes by taking advantage of special California Enterprise Zone tax
benefits.
Located within the Fresno Enterprise Zone borders are affordable manufacturing
and commercial sites, as well as unique retail locations. The zone is within
immediate access of two freeways, two state highways, the Fresno Yosemite
International Airport and the Downtown Chandler Airport. It is also in close
proximity to a wide range of educational facilities, housing and other
amenities. These assets add up to an increasingly powerful ability to assist
current businesses and attract new companies, jobs and investments.
A business located within the Enterprise Zone can receive tax credits each time
it hires an eligible employee or purchases qualified new machinery, equipment or
pollution control devices. Incentives are also available to many employees who
work in the zone and lenders who make loans to qualified businesses. Most
businesses in the Enterprise Zone are automatically eligible for benefits.
There is no certification process.
Print out a
Summary of Benefits to learn more
about this exciting zone!
Empowerment Zone
In
January 2002, Fresno received a Round III Empowerment Zone designation
designed to stimulate economic development. Businesses in the Fresno
Empowerment Zone are eligible for significant Federal tax incentives
designed to encourage investment and expansion. Residents in the Empowerment
Zone can benefit from job development and training programs, improving
employability.
To find out if your business is located in the Empowerment Zone, or one of
our other incentive zones, check our
Incentive Zone Address Locator.
For questions regarding the Empowerment Zone, contact
Kelly Vaughan Trevino at the City
of Fresno Economic Development Department or call (559) 621-8426.
Businesses
can realize substantial tax savings by locating and/or expanding in this
zone, and by employing area residents. The investment of Federal tax dollars
translates into new funds entering our community that will grow and expand
our economic base.
The eight-year program began in January 2002 and will expire in December
2009. The positive impact on our local economy is expected to continue for
decades to come.
The Federal
Department of Housing and Human Services (HUD) awarded the Empowerment Zone
designation. The City of Fresno’s Economic Development Department is in
charge of its day-to-day operation.
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