Incentives & Taxes

Low taxes and generous incentives make the most of your investment

Jackson County, Ohio is a business-friendly region in a state with a long commitment to helping businesses succeed. Our organization, along with our network of partners, works with state and federal partners to provide attractive incentives to help companies locate and expand within our communities. We’ve summarized several of the available programs here. Please note that the incentives are subject to change and eligibility requirements.

Jackson County Economic Development Partnership Incentives

Our county’s economic development partnership and local public entities have worked together to develop several programs to support business investments, including:

Community Development Block Grant – Economic Development Program. Through this program, Jackson County can provide low-interest financing and grant funds to help companies with infrastructure needs such as roads, water, and sanitary sewer improvements to support new projects. To qualify, the project must create jobs and at least 51 percent of new employees must be from low- to moderate-income households. Grants and loans may be used to support up to 50 percent of project cost, with the maximum cost per job $25,000 for loans and $10,000 for infrastructure, to a total of $500,000.

Community Development Block Grant – Revolving Loan Fund. This program provides low-interest loans for projects to create or retain at least five jobs. Loans may be used for fixed assets, including land, building, machinery, and equipment. Infrastructure investments directly related to business or industrial development are also eligible. To qualify, the project must create jobs and at least 51 percent of new employees must be from low- to moderate-income households. Grants and loans may be used to support up to 50 percent of project cost, with the maximum cost per job $25,000 for loans and $10,000 for infrastructure, to a total of $500,000.

New Markets Loan Program-WESBANCO Bank Community Development Corporation. This program, which was founded to assist economic development efforts in rural southern Ohio, provides non-traditional loans to locally operated businesses. Qualifying loans must create jobs to promote growth and boost development in low-income communities.

Fluor BWXT Portsmouth Opportunity Fund. This gap-funding grant program supports business attraction, expansion, or job retention programs that create jobs in the area. Grant funds may be used for up to 25 percent of the total project cost, with a maximum of $10,000 per job created or retained, up to a total of $50,000.

State and Local Tax Incentives

Local Property Tax Exemptions. Local communities can choose to abate a portion of property taxes through the Ohio Enterprise Zone program. Typical abatements provide an exemption of 60 to 75 percent for 10 to 15 years on real property.

Personal Income Taxes. There are no personal income taxes in the City of Jackson.

Corporate Income Taxes. There are no corporate income taxes in the Cities of Jackson and Wellston.

Training and Workforce Development Assistance

The Jackson County OhioMeansJobs office connects companies with training and workforce development support through a variety of programs, allowing cities, villages, townships, and school districts to work together to promote growth and development of the community and its economic health. Services include personal assessments, screenings, application processing, and pre-employment screening.