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The City of Richmond makes a concerted effort to stimulate and attract new investment and reduce the cost of starting and operating a business. We provide access to technical assistance services for Richmond businesses such as counseling, workshops, classes, business plans, marketing, credit repair, legal consulting, financing, employee recruitment, tax credit information, façade improvement, and website design. Most of these services are provided at no or reduced cost to business owners.
Help us help you! Take our Business Assistance Planning Survey (91KB) 
We also offer various incentives and programs available to Richmond businesses, including:
Facade Improvement Program
Revolving Loan Fund Program
Business Retention and Expansion Program
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Enterprise Zone Tax Incentives Program
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| What is an enterprise zone? |
An enterprise zone is a geographic area with designated boundaries that have been approved by the State of California. Local businesses operating within this area are elligible for special state tax incentives. The Enterprise Zone Program spurs investment, business, and job growth in local communities. |
| How do I get started? |
To determine if your business is located within the enterprise zone and to receive an explanation of benefits, call:
Richmond Community Redevelopment Agency
(510) 307-8140
Richmond Enterprise Zone Map (1.4MB) 
For employers who are looking for qualified matches to job specifications or vouchering, and for candidates interested in available EZ jobs, contact:
RichmondWORKS—Employment Services
(510) 307-8008
For detailed information regarding tax credits, contact the:
California Enterprise Zone Hotline
(916) 845-3464 |
| What special tax credits are available to zone businesses? |
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| What is the new TEA benefit and how is it important to me? |
EZ businesses hiring a resident from a State-recognized Targeted Employment Area (TEA) can immediately qualify for the hiring tax credit. Skilled and educated residents from the following Richmond neighborhoods qualify businesses for the EZ TEA hiring credits: Santa Fe, Coronado, Cortez, Iron Triangle, Easter Hill, Woods, Pullman, Kennedy Manor, Crescent Park, and Marina Bay. |
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What are the five tax incentives?
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1. Hiring credit for 50 percent of first-year wages paid to qualified new employees. Over a five-year period, this credit can exceed $26,000 per new hire.
2. Sales and use tax credit for sales and use tax paid on qualified equipment purchased for use within EZ designated boundaries—up to $1 million of machinery cost on individual claims; up to $20 million a year on corporate claims.
3. Business expense deduction for the costs of certain tangible, depreciable property between $20,000 and $40,000 in the first year placed in service.
4. Net operating loss carry-over to future tax years to reduce the amount of taxable Zone income.
5. Net interest deduction for lenders making loans in the Zone. Lenders can deduct net interest income made on loans to trade or business located in the Enterprise Zone, including business loans, mortgages, and loans from non-commercial sources. |
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