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Economic and Community Development Incentives

Five incentive programs have been developed for businesses and residential development in the Town of Assiniboia.

Commercial Incentive Policy

Each commercial property may only qualify for one of the incentives.

Purpose:

  1. Stimulate commercial expansion and new commercial development within the Town of Assiniboia.
  2. Increase the long term commercial assessment in Assiniboia.
  3. Job creation.
1. New Business Construction

The Town will provide a five year tax incentive for new business construction. The incentive offered is as follows:

  • First Year: 100% land and building tax exemption
  • Second Year: 100% land and building tax exemption
  • Third to Fifth Year Inclusive: 50% land and building tax exemption

* The first year is the year in which construction of the new business is commenced.

* The business owner must own the land being developed.

* Tax exemption includes both municipal and school portions.

2. New Business Established in an Existing Building

The Town will provide a three year tax incentive for the new business owner for three years, except in cases where there is already a similar business located in the Town. The incentive offered is as follows:

  • First Year: 50% land and building tax exemption
  • Second and Third Year: 25% land and building tax exemption

* Town Council will determine whether a business is similar to any existing business in the Town.

* The business owner must own the land and buildings.

* Tax exemption includes both municipal and school portions.

3. Business Expansion/Renovation Incentive

The Town will provide a three year tax incentive for business expansion/renovations where the expansion/renovations result in a minimum increase in commercial improvement assessment of $10,000 or greater. The incentive offered is as follows:

  • First to Third Year Inclusive: 50% exemption on increased value of commercial improvement assessment

* Tax exemption includes both municipal and school portions.

4. Job Creation Incentive

Any new or expanded business may apply for a job creation incentive.

For each new or additional permanent job or full time equivalent, exclusive of management positions, created the Town will provide a credit of $200.00 per employee per year for three years. The credit will be applied against the municipal tax levy in the fourth year.

  • Tax credits that are accumulated in the three year period which exceed the fourth year municipal tax levy are not refundable and are not eligible to be carried over to the next year.
  • A full time equivalent is considered to be 1,800 hours per year.

Conditions for Commercial Incentives

  • Commercial incentives granted shall be conditional to that business being in active operation.
  • If at any time the taxes are in arrears on the affected property, all incentives will be withdrawn and full taxes become payable for the project.
  • Council reserves the right to approve each incentive package individually and customize incentives to any specific project.

Residential Incentive Policy

Purpose:

  1. To increase the capacity for residential accommodation, thus fostering an environment for retention of residents and attraction of new residents.
  2. To increase the long term residential assessment in Assiniboia.
1. Residential Construction

The Town of Assiniboia will provide a three year tax incentive for new residential construction. All principal residential properties such as new homes, duplexes, condominiums and apartment buildings shall receive a municipal rebate on all land and building of:

  • 100% rebate from the date of completion of work, as deemed by Council, for one year;
  • 50% rebate for the second year from the date of completion of the work; and
  • 25% rebate for the third year from the date of completion of the work.

* Properties with an existing house that will be demolished and a new single family or duplex residential house constructed on the same location are eligible for the program. Demolition and building permit issued simultaneously and construction must be substantially completed within two years.

* Ready to move homes are eligible for the program. Owner must provide certification that the building complies with the 1995 National Building Codes and Updates.

* Tax rebate agreement is transferable to a new owner who purchases the property before the expiration of the agreement.

* Additional assessment added to the original property, such as basement rooms, will receive the tax rebate for the remaining period fo the agreement.

* Taxes must be kept current; if property goes into arrears the agreement becomes null and void.

* The incentive does not include existing homes to be moved into Town.

* Construction of a residential home must be substantially completed within two years of issuance of building permit.

Municipal Tax Levy Cap

The municipal tax levy payable on residential property, excluding multi-unit residential properties, is set at $3,000.00 annually in the year 2007. The maximum municipal tax levy to be indexed annually as per the cost of living rate.