Incentives

Tax Abatement (Tax Phase-In)
Highland offers tax phase-in to attract new businesses and to promote the expansion of existing businesses in designated areas within town. The town will consider the following types of property tax abatement for up to 10 years with annual filing requirements:

• Real Property, including rehabilitation or new
• Personal Property, including manufacturing, research & development, logistical distribution, and information technology equipment.

Tax abatement is offered on improvements, not the land, and it will save the business owner about 50% on those improvements. Download information and application.

Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
Tax Increment Financing is offered to developers and builders to redevelop certain areas of Highland. It is a means to utilize future gains in taxes (after improvements are made) to finance current projects that would not have occurred without TIF. Highland currently has two TIF areas: 1) downtown and north Kennedy Avenues and 2) the northwest corner of Indianapolis Boulevard and Main Street. For further information, contact the Redevelopment Director at 219-972-7598 or email cpetro@highland.in.gov.

Assistance for Restaurateurs
Highland offers assistance to acquire a three-way liquor license for restaurant owners who wish to invest and participate in the community. The purpose of the special liquor license is to encourage the location and operation of unique and/or upscale restaurants on North Kennedy Avenue from Strong Street to the Little Calumet River and on Indianapolis Boulevard from Ridge Road to the River. Please fill out the application and return to the Redevelopment Director.

Facade Improvement Grant Program
The new Facade Improvement Grant offers a 30% match for facade improvements in the Downtown Redevelopment Area. The purpose of the program is to attract business, create foot traffic in the downtown, and improve the overall appearance of the downtown. Grants are made on a reimbursement basis, following an application procedure, design review and approval, and construction. Get more information and an application.

Regional Development Company (RDC)
The Regional Development Company offers the 504 loan program through the U.S. Small Business Administration and serves northern Indiana businesses seeking funding to help grow their company. The RDC creates a partnership between the business, the bank, and the community. With its quick and easy loan program, businesses can get their loans funded with only 10% with extremely competitive rates. Visit www.rdc504.org.

Indiana Economic Development Commission (IEDC)
The State of Indiana offers a number of incentives and a low-cost pro-business environment--including low utility costs, worker's compensation and unemployment insurance rates coupled with a highly skilled, educated and capable workforce. For more information, visit www.iedc.in.gov.

Indiana Best Midwest State for Business
Source: www.buildingindiananews.com
Indiana was ranked as the best place to do business in the Midwest and the sixth-best nationwide in a survey of more than 500 chief executives by Chief Executive magazine.

The magazine's seventh annual "Best & Worst States" survey asks CEOs to evaluate states based on business tax policies, regulation, workforce quality and livability factors. Indiana's 2011 ranking is up from 16th place in 2010. It's among the highest year-to-year improvements in the survey.

Indiana's sixth-place ranking makes it the only Midwestern state in the publication's top 10. Among neighboring states, Kentucky ranked 17th, Ohio ranked 41st, Michigan ranked 46th and Illinois ranked 48th.