JulyAugust 2012 Newsletter

www.sdrez.org

LIVE WORK
RESOURCES
San Diego Regional Enterprise Zone Hiring Tax Credit Vouchering Services Tere Avina: (619) 236-6302 Tina Hines: (619) 236-6305 City of San Diego Kevin Sullivan: (619) 533-5954 City of Chula Vista Craig Ruiz: (619) 691-5248 City of National City Alfredo Ybarra: (619) 336-4279 Unified Port of San Diego Paul Fanfera: (619) 686-7283 Media Contact Lydia Moreno: (619) 236-6320 Job Referral/Job Placement Services South County Career CenterChula Vista Leonardo Alarcon: (619) 628-0321 South Metro Career CenterMountain View Erika G. Gallardo: (619) 266-4200 Metro Career CenterNorth Park Patricia Devereaux: (619) 516-2265 Foreign-Trade Zones Program Adrienne Turner: (619) 236-6364 Helpful Links San Diego Regional Enterprise Zone http://www.sdrez.org California Association of Enterprise Zones http://www.caez.org National Association of FTZs http://www.naftz.org Foreign-Trade Zones Board http://ia.ita.doc.gov/ftzpage/

EZ HIRING TAX CREDIT INCENTIVE

If you hire new employees or are planning an expansion of your business in the SDREZ, this tax credit can potentially save thousands of dollars over the course of 5 years. By hiring qualified employees, your business can claim up to 50% of your employees wages in their first year of employment. The credit percentage decreases by 10% annually, phasing out after 5 years. For some businesses, this could mean a potential savings of over $36,000 per employee over a 5 year period. Additionally, these credits may be banked for use retroactively or for future tax returns. Hiring a recently discharged veteran may qualify a business for the EZ hiring tax credit. For more details on this tax incentive program and other qualified employee categories, please contact the SDRZ Manager.

HIRE A VETERAN
Veterans and recently discharged military personnel represent a growing presence in the workforce, particularly in the San Diego region. In anticipation of an increased veteran workforce presence, we think its appropriate to take this opportunity to highlight some of the veteran-based employment programs currently available in the San Diego region. Many of these programs afford an opportunity for transitioning military personnel and veterans to reinvent themselves, acclimate to civilian life, and learn skills necessary to be competitive and successful in the civilian workforce. Additionally, Enterprise Zone based companies can earn Federal and State hiring credits for employing qualified veterans. Non-profit organizations may also benefit through the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act by hiring veterans.

Veterans Assistance Programs

Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act. The VOW Act of 2011 made changes to the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) program by adding two new categories to the existing qualified veteran targeted group and made the WOTC available to certain tax-exempt employers as a credit against the employers share of social security tax. The credit can be as high as $9,600 per qualified veteran for for-profit employers or up to $6,240 for qualified tax-exempt organizations. The Act allows employers to claim the WOTC for qualified veterans who begin work before January 1, 2013. For more information: http://veterans.house.gov/jobs Workshops for Warriors. San Diego-based non-profit organization that provides a safe environment in which veterans receive vocational training, commercially-viable work experience, guaranteed job placement, and an opportunity to contribute to the community. Facility is based in Barrio Logan. Training and certification programs available include CNC plasma cutting, welding, AutoCAD software, milling, machining, fabrication, and woodworking. For more info: http://www.workshopsforwarriors.org/ ReLearn.Rebuild.ReBrandREBOOT. Offers programs and guidance to prepare veterans and recently discharged military personnel for sustainable careers and social interaction in the civilian workforce. Classes are currently offered in Liberty Station, formerly the Naval Training Center (NTC) in Point Loma. For more information: http:llwww.nvtsi.org/relearn-rebuild-rebrand-reboot/ Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E). Federal Program. Employmentoriented Federal program that assists veterans with service-connected disabilities by offering services and assistance to help them prepare for, find, and keep suitable employment. For more info: http://www.fedshireevets.gov/Index.aspx

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New SDREZ Manager
We are pleased to announce that Kevin Sullivan has been assigned as the new SDREZ Manager. Kevin has been with the City of San Diego for over 25 years, and brings with him considerable experience in the fields of building permit processing, permit assistance and public outreach. His familiarity with the local permitting process enhances EZ programs ability to assist businesses to secure their permit entitlements in an expeditious manner. Kevin can be reached at 619-533-5954 or at ksullivan@sandiego.gov.

FREE EMPLOYEE VOUCHERING ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE

The San Diego Regional Enterprise Zone (SDREZ) is a geographical area designated by the Sate of California for the purpose of stimulating business growth and job creation. Businesses located within the SDREZ may qualify to receive certain State tax incentives. The program is administered by the City of San Diego, Economic Growth Services, which consists of 4 full-time staff and 2 part-time staff. The staff provide SDREZ businesses with free technical assistance and consultation regarding Enterprise Zone eligibility requirements and guidelines. In addition, the staff manages the hiring credit vouchering process including application review and approval.
SDREZ team members Tere Avina (left) and Tina Hines (right) at a business outreach event.

SDREZ staff is available to meet with company representatives to discuss program tax incentives, offer guidance in completing the voucher application, and provide assistance in screening/interviewing employees to determine hiring credit eligibility. Staff also conducts periodic workshops to train SDREZ business owners/managers on how to incorporate eligibility screening as part of the companys hiring process.

SDREZ QUICK FACTS

For the Months of May-June 2012
161 1,899 419 1,480 - Participating Companies - Employees Hired - New Positions - Existing Positions

If you have general questions regarding the SDREZ, contact Kevin Sullivan at (619) 533-5954. For technical assistance or to schedule a free consultation, contact either Tere Avina at (619) 236-6302 or Tina Hines at (619) 236-6305.

The City of San DiegoBusiness Finance Loan Programs

The San Diego Regional Revolving Loan Fund (SDRRLF) and Small Business Micro Revolving Loan Fund (SBMRLF) offer financial assistance to small to mid -size business owners with expanding businesses that require capital, but are unable to meet the terms of traditional banks. The Revolving Loan funds can supplement private financing of new or rehabilitated buildings, fixed machinery and equipment, working capital and soft costs. Loan sizes range from $25,000 to $150,000 in the SBMRLF and $150,000 to $500,000 in the SDRRLF. The SDRRLF covers businesses in the cities of San Diego and Chula Vista, and the SBMRLF is limited to businesses in the City of San Diego. Please contact the Citys Business Finance staff for more details on this gap financing program at (619) 236-6323 or on the web at www.sandiego.gov.BRC.

Employee Eligibility 5 - Veterans: 0 - Disabled/Service Connected Veterans 17 - Public Assistance Eligible 36 - Ex-offenders 1 - Dislocated Workers 0 - Native Americans 0 - Self-Employed 0 - Vocational Rehabilitation 1 - WIA Eligible/Enrolled 0 - Cal Works Eligible/Enrolled 54 - Low Income 22 - Work Opportunity Tax Credit 1,763 - Targeted Employment Area For more information about the SDREZ; 1. Visit www.SDREZ.org 2. Call (619) 533-5954, or 3. Scan The QR Code

9/12/2012 - National Association of Foreign Trade Zones (NAFTZ) conferenceParadise Point, San Diego. More info at www.naftz.org. 9/21/2012 - 23rd Annual Economic Summit (8:00am2:00pm) San Diego Convention Center. For more info please contact South County Economic Development Council at (619) 424-5143).
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SAVE THE DATE

IS IT TIME FOR A FACELIFT?

The City of San Diego Storefront Improvement Program is designed to enhance and revitalize the commercial environment throughout the City of San Diego. The program works with business and property owners to revitalize building facades visible to customers, neighboring merchants, and residents. The City of San Diego provides design assistance and construction rebates to eligible applicants who wish to make creative changes to their storefronts. For more information, call (619) 236-6505, or visit http://www.sandiego.gov/economic-development/ business/starting/improvement.shtml