Bloomington-Normal EDC director understands governor’s decision on enterprise zones

Posted on August 18, 2015

By Adam Studzinski

BLOOMINGTON – The Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration won’t certify any new enterprise zones as long as there is no state budget.

Bloomington-Normal is one of 50 districts which have applied for a new enterprise zone. Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council Director Kyle Ham told WJBC he understands the decision by the governor.

“They’re down there trying to understand the budget, make sure things are balanced,” said Ham. “I can’t imagine this will be a permanent thing.”

Podcast: Listen to Ham’s full conversation on WJBC.

The area’s current zone expires at the end of 2016.

“It gives a break on the sales tax that a builder or developer would pay, or a company would pay, on new construction or new devices or materials that they would buy for expanding their operations,” Ham said.

Ham said enterprise zones are an important tool for recruiting new businesses.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].

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