admin posted on August 28, 2012 10:23
The Matthews Town Board has approved an Economic Development Incentive Grants Policy that will encourage businesses who are looking for a location to call Matthews home and for businesses already here to be able to stay and expand.
The Town adopted the policy unanimously after it was drafted by the Town’s Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) earlier this summer. EDAC is comprised of volunteers who work in various businesses located in the Town.
“The Town Board is always seeking ways to make Matthews competitive in the marketplace. We have a great business climate here with a high quality of life, beautiful land and a wonderful workforce but we need another tool in toolbox that allows us to compete in this global market. Towns compete for jobs and businesses every day and our competitors offer incentives. We needed to equal the playing field and be ready to offer incentives as we work to bring businesses to Matthews and retain businesses we already have here,” commented Matthews Mayor Jim Taylor.
The incentives grants will allow the Town to increase and diversify the local property tax base, expand employment opportunities, improve wages, retention and expansion of existing businesses and attract new businesses.
New and existing businesses will be able to apply for the grants. The businesses must commit to employing a number of employees at or above the average Mecklenburg County wages and operate for more than one year before they will receive the grant. There are several categories of criteria involved. For example, a Small Business Grant would require that the small business invest a minimum of $500,000 in order to be eligible for a grant.
“We are very pleased that we can offer the Small Business Grant opportunity. This is a type of grant that is not readily offered and we feel that this will make us very competitive as we work to bring jobs and investment to the Town,” said Jamie Justice, Matthews Assistant Town Manager.
If your business would like to learn more about the Economic Development Incentive Grants contact Jamie Justice at 704-847-4411, ext. 233 or jjustice@matthewsnc.gov.