Thief River Falls JOBZ Zones
Job Opportunity Building Zones
“Land of the Dancing Sky”

What is JOBZ?
Job Opportunity Building Zones (JOBZ) is a new and exciting tool to stimulate business activity in Greater Minnesota.  Eligible business in a zone will operate in an environment nearly free of state and local taxes. These tax incentives will help new and expanding companies lower their overall costs and facilitate their growth. Thief River Falls has designated approximately 180 acres to qualifying applicants.

Who is eligible?
To qualify for the tax exemptions, a business must start-up in the zone, relocate from outside the zone or expand. Companies relocating from another Minnesota site qualify by increasing employment by 20 percent within the first year or making capital investment of at least 10 percent of gross revenues. In addition, businesses must also meet local business assistance goals to qualify for tax exemptions.

How long will JOBZ last?
Exemptions are available for up to 12 years beginning in January 2004.

How do I access the program?
JOBZ-related information is available at www.positivelyminnesota.com or please call or email the Thief River Falls Development Authority office at 218-681-7387. This site offers access to profiles of communities with zones, specific eligible for JOBZ benefits, site infrastructure, and local zone administrators to contact for more information. The site also offers access to a calculator on which businesses can estimate the potential savings of locating in a JOBZ zone.

What zone is Thief River Falls located in, and what are the available properties are eligible?
Thief River Falls is one of 10 tax-free zones. Our zone is titled “Land of the Dancing Sky JOBZ”.

Please see our Property page for all the latest available commercial properties located in the Thief River Falls JOBZ zones (each eligible property will be marked with the JOBZ logo).  Please check back often, as more parcels become available.

How does JOBZ save you money?
JOBZ tax incentives will reduce company expenses, increase competitiveness, and help sustain further growth and expansion in Thief River Falls, Minnesota:

Tax Exemptions:

• Corporate Taxes (income tax, alternative minimum tax, minimum fee)
• Individual Taxes (income tax on investment income, alternative minimum tax)
• Sales and Use Taxes
• Most Property Taxes (except for land, general obligation bonds, and school operating levies in place prior to zone designation)
• Wind Energy Production Tax

Tax Credit:

• Job Creation Credit

How much can it save you?

Example 1 - Metal Fabricator

Company Profile:

• New company with all operations in zone.
• Zone operations located in owned space valued at $400,000 in 2004, increasing 1% annually.
• Sales of $425,000 in 2004, ramping up to $1.5 million by 2007, and growing at 4% thereafter.
• Employment of 9 people in 2004, growing to 16 people in 2015.  Average wage of $33,400 grows 3% annually.
• Taxable purchases range from $181,000 in 2004 to $691,000 in 2015.

Example 2 - Plastic Manufacturer

Company Profile:

• Existing company with 30 percent of operations in zone.
• Zone operations located in owned space valued at $525,000 in 2004, increasing 1% annually.
• Sales of $18 million in 2004, ramping up to $30 million by 2006, and growing 7% thereafter.
• Employment of 25 people in the zone in 2004, growing to 69 people in 2015.  Average wage of $29,200 grows 3% annually.
• Taxable purchases range from $1.66 million in 2005 to $2.95 million in 2015.