The Office of Economic and Small Business Development (OESBD) works extensively with its municipal partners to promote special zones designed to further enhance economic development throughout the County. Some of the Special Zones include:
The Broward County Brownfield Redevelopment Program
A "Brownfield site" is defined as "real property, the expansion, redevelopment or reuse of which may be complicated by actual or perceived environmental contamination." Broward County Commissioners adopted a Brownfield program in 1998, one year after the Florida Legislature created the Brownfield Redevelopment Act. There are 47 Brownfield-designated areas in Broward County. Properties located in a designated Brownfield area may be eligible for certain benefits under this program, such as job bonus refunds and state loan guarantees.
Florida Brownfields Redevelopment Program Brochure
Florida Brownfields Redevelopment Program Summary
The Urban Job Tax Credit Program (UJTC)
The UJTC Program provides tax credits against corporate income tax or sales and use tax to businesses that are: located within urban areas designated by Florida Office of Trade, Tourism and Economic development; hire a specific number of employees according to the established criteria; and are predominantly engaged in (or headquarters for) a specific list of activities classified by the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code. Businesses must meet the definition specified in the Florida Legislature. The application may be filed at any time. Tax credits are granted on a first come, first serve basis until the maximum amount of credit allowable per calendar year has been exhausted.
The Broward County Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUB Zones)
The Broward County OESBD recognizes the important role that the U.S. Small Business Administration Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUB Zone) Program plays in the overall economic growth of the County. Therefore, the OESBD continues to cooperate and collaborate with municipalities containing HUB Zone census tracts, and will use this collaboration to further promote the utilization of, and business location in HUB Zone areas. The HUB Zone Empowerment Contracting program provides federal contracting opportunities for qualified small businesses located in distressed areas. Fostering the growth of these federal contractors as viable businesses, for the long term, helps to empower communities, create jobs, and attract private investment.
Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ)
A Foreign Trade Zone is part of an attractive federal program to defer, reduce, or even eliminate costly U.S. Customs duties on products imported into the country. Companies currently importing goods and paying U.S. Customs duties are invited to participate and take advantage of this program. A Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) is an area that, for U.S. Customs purposes, is considered to be in international commerce. Any foreign or domestic material can be moved into an FTZ without being subject to U.S. Customs duties. A FTZ is operated as a public venture sponsored by a local municipality or authority. Advantages of foreign trade zones include:
- Import duties are not paid until the goods leave the FTZ.
- Re-exported goods are never entered into U.S. commerce and are not subject to U.S. Customs duty.
- No duty is paid on scrap, waste, or damaged goods.
- The company has the use of the duty dollars for the time the goods are in the FTZ.
- The final duty rate paid is that of the component part or of the finished article, whichever is lower.
- Products transferred from Zone to Zone are duty free.
- Most merchandise subject to quotas may be held in a FTZ until quotas open.
- U.S. Customs review of security procedures and federal laws governing unauthorized removal of Zone merchandise deter theft.
- Due to increased security, discounted cargo insurance rates (up to 40% less) have been negotiated.
Broward County has two foreign trade zones:
FTZ No. 241 City of Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE)
Subzone status can also be granted through for sites located outside the pre-approved areas. A Subzone is operated by the individual firm through a separate application to the Foreign Trade Zones Board and an agreement with the City of Fort Lauderdale.
FTZ No. 25 is the first of its kind and the largest in Florida. Companies that operate within it take advantage of benefits such as:
- Improved cash flow
- Avoidance of duty
- Lower tariff rates
- Reduced insurance costs
- Upgraded quality control
- Elimination of custom clearance delays
From auto parts to cosmetics, businesses of all sizes can implement more effective economical solutions for cargo storage, merchandise manipulation and manufacturing needs. Port Everglades also operates several FTZ facilities in other Broward County locations. While considered "outside of U.S. Customs territory," duties on products admitted through the zone can still be deferred, reduced or eliminated.
