Title of Regulation: 13VAC5-112. Enterprise Zone Grant Program Regulation (amending 13VAC5-112-280).

Statutory Authority: § 59.1-541 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: July 18, 2012.

Agency Contact: Stephen W. Calhoun, Regulatory Coordinator, Department of Housing and Community Development, Main Street Center, 600 East Main Street, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23219, telephone (804) 371-7000, FAX (804) 371-7090, TTY (804) 371-7089, or email steve.calhoun@dhcd.virginia.gov.

Summary:

This action updates the regulation to comply with requirements of the Virginia 2012 Acts of Assembly. The amendments clarify that a business firm receiving the major business facility job tax credit is not eligible also to receive Virginia Enterprise Zone job creation grants for any job used to qualify for the major business facility job tax credit.

13VAC5-112-280. Eligibility.

A. A business firm shall be eligible to receive job creation grants for five consecutive years beginning with the first year of grant eligibility for permanent full-time positions created above the threshold number. Additional permanent full-time positions created during the remainder of years in the grant period are eligible for additional grant funding over the previous year's level or such positions may be used instead to begin a subsequent grant period pursuant to subsection B of this section.

B. A business firm may be eligible for subsequent five consecutive calendar-year grant periods if it creates new grant-eligible positions above the threshold number for its subsequent base year.

1. If a second or subsequent five-year grant period is requested within two years of the previous grant period, the subsequent base year will be the last grant year. The calculation of this subsequent base year employment will be determined by the number of permanent full-time positions in the preceding base year, plus the number of threshold positions, plus the number of grant-eligible positions in the final year of the previous grant period.

2. If a business firm applies for subsequent five consecutive calendar-year grant periods beyond the two years immediately following the completion of the previous five-year grant period, the business firm shall use one of the two preceding calendar years as the subsequent base year, at the choice of the business firm.

C. A business firm is eligible to receive enterprise zone job creation grants for any and all years in which the business firm qualifies in the five consecutive calendar years period commencing with the first year of grant eligibility.

D. Job creation grants shall be available beginning with calendar year 2005.

E. Any qualified business firm receiving an enterprise job creation grant under this section is a major business facility job tax credit pursuant to § 58.1-439 of the Code of Virginia shall not be eligible for a major business facility job tax credit pursuant to § 58.1-439 of the Code of Virginia to receive an enterprise zone job creation grant under this section for any job used to qualify for the major business facility job tax credit.

F. The following positions are not grant eligible:

1. Those in retail, personal service or food and beverage service.

2. Those paying less than 175% of the federal minimum wage or that are not provided with health benefits.

3. Notwithstanding subdivision 2 of this subsection, in a high unemployment area those paying less than the reduced wage rate threshold or that are not provided with health benefits.

4. Seasonal, temporary or contract positions.