Mayor Vincent C Gray M Jeffrey Miller Interim

Mayor Vincent C. Gray M. Jeffrey Miller Interim Deputy Mayor for Planning & Economic Development DC BUSINESS INCENTIVES WASHINGTON, DC ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP & U. S. SMALL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION ENTREPRENEUR ROAD MAP August 13 , 2014 SERIES th

The District offers many resources for entrepreneurs Dept. of Small & Local Business Development Assistance with connecting to local, federal, and global opportunities Small Business Resource Center Assistance with navigating the District’s business regulations Dept. of Employment Services Assistance with hiring and training employees Business Incentives Designed to build the tax base and create jobs for District residents 2

Business Incentives DC Tech Incentives Supermarket Tax Incentives Great Streets Small Business Capital Improvement Grants Digital DC Technology Fund 3

DC Tech Incentives OVERVIEW • Goal: reduce the cost of doing business for high-technology companies • Incentives include tax credits for retraining, wages, and relocation costs, and multiple tax exemptions and reductions 4

DC Tech Incentives TAX BENEFITS TAX CREDITS • Cost of retraining “qualified disadvantaged employees” (up to $20, 000 per employee in first 18 months of employment) • [Corporations only] Wages paid to employees in first 24 months of employment • For “qualified disadvantaged employees” – 50% of wages up to $15, 000 per employee • For “qualified employees” – 10% of wages up to $5, 000 per employee • [Corporations only] Payments/reimbursements of employee relocation costs up to $7, 500 per employee depending on residency and • 10 -year exemption from personal property sales and use tax • 10 -year exemption from personal property tax • 5 -year exemption from corporate franchise tax up to $15 million • Deduction for personal property expenses and/or leasehold improvements up to $40, 000 over 24 months • Rollover (deferral) of certain capital gains • Reduction in real property tax 5

DC Tech Incentives DOES MY BUSINESS QUALIFY? A Qualified High Technology Company (QHTC) is one which: • • Is an individual or entity organized for profit Maintains an office, headquarters, or base of operations in DC Has 2 or more employees in DC Derives the majority of its revenue from qualifying high technology activities Does not derive the majority of its revenue from operating a retail store or electronic equipment facility in DC Is registered with the DC Government as a business in DC Is current in all DC Government filing requirements and payment obligations 6

DC Tech Incentives HOW DO I APPLY? Self-certify through the DC Office of Tax and Revenue: http: //otr. cfo. dc. gov/page/qualified-hightech-companies-tax-forms 7

Supermarket Tax Incentives OVERVIEW • Goal: encourage new fresh food markets to open in areas that lack this amenity • Benefits: • 10 -year exemption from real property tax • 10 -year exemption from personal property tax • 10 -year exemption from license fee • Exemption from sales and use tax on building materials purchased in DC 8

Supermarket Tax Incentives DOES MY BUSINESS QUALIFY? • Located in a HUBZone or one of the following Census tracts: • 18. 01 • 33. 01 • 95. 05 • 95. 07 • 95. 08 • Licensed as a grocery store • Certificate of Occupancy with Approved Zoning Code Use as a grocery store • Inventory must include full line of meat, seafood, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, dry groceries, household products, and sundries • Active First Source Agreement with DC Department of Employment Services and proof of compliance 9

Supermarket Tax Incentives HOW DO I APPLY? • Contact Polina Bakhteiarov at polina. bakhteiarov@dc. gov or (202) 741 -8952 for location eligibility verification letter and full list of requirements 10

DC Business Incentives Maps http: //geospatial. dcgis. dc. gov/incentive/ Find eligible areas for each business incentive Identify available business incentives at a specific See owner and zoning for each parcel 11

Great Streets Small Business Capital Improvement Grants OVERVIEW • Goal: support existing small businesses, attract new small businesses to the District, and transform emerging commercial corridors into thriving and inviting neighborhood centers • Reimbursable grant of up to $85, 000 for small business owners to improve their place of business • Build-out of new improvements • Renovations of existing improvements (both interior and exterior) • Façade improvements • Equipment upgrades 12

Great Streets Small Business Capital Improvement Grants DOES MY BUSINESS QUALIFY? • Located within or along the boundary of a Great Streets corridor • Be a registered business in good standing with local and federal agencies • Retain site control of the property either through fee simple ownership or an executed contract or lease with the property owner with a minimum unexpired term of at least two (2) years • Provide proof of property and liability insurance • Ineligible business types: • Liquor stores • Nightclubs • Bars • On H Street NE only: restaurants, phone stores, businesses with 20+ locations in the United States 13

Great Streets Small Business Capital Improvement Grants HOW DO I APPLY? • Verify location eligibility using interactive mapping tool at greatstreets. dc. gov • Email greatstreets@dc. gov to be added to the mailing list and receive an alert when the Fiscal Year 2015 application becomes available 14

Digital DC Technology Fund OVERVIEW • Goal: bolster the District’s burgeoning technology sector by supporting the attraction and retention of early and growth stage technology ventures • Provide working capital and customized mentorship to companies that relocate to the 7 th Street/Georgia Avenue Great Streets corridor (Digital DC Tech Opportunity Corridor) • Part of Digital DC – a marketing campaign and economic development initiative that promotes Washington, DC as the leading community in the innovation and high-tech economy 15

Digital DC Technology Fund PILOT INVESTMENT ROUND • • Summer 2014 $1 million total Non-dilutive grants $25, 000 - $200, 000 per grantee Grantees provided with training, access to networks, capital, and other resources 140 applicants Award announcements to be made in Fall 2014 16

Questions & Answers Thank you! For more information, please contact Polina Bakhteiarov polina. bakhteiarov@dc. gov (202) 741 -8952 17