Incentives & Grants
New or expanding businesses or industries may qualify to receive a financial incentive grant based on the actual value, schedule, and payment of local property taxes for a period of up to five consecutive tax years. Each project will be evaluated on its own individual merits as to the quality and quantity of jobs created.
The County reserves the right to withhold the financial incentive package if, after evaluating the merits of the quality and quantity of jobs, the grant application is outside the County's best interest. The County will require the business or industry to "pay in full" annual total property taxes due. If the business or industry has met specific criteria as outlined in a formal agreement, a portion of the property taxes paid by the business or industry to the County each year for up to five consecutive years would be returned to the business each year in the form of a local economic development incentive grant. The incentive request would be subject to approval by the Haywood County Board of Commissioners.
View the full resolution (PDF).
Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG)
The Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) is a performance-based, discretionary incentive program that provides cash grants directly to a company when the company creates jobs and invests in the State. Grants are awarded only in competitive recruitment or retention situations.
Grant payments are paid annually over time, for terms of up to 12 years, following a yearly, rigorous performance review conducted by the Departments of Commerce and Revenue.
JDIG grant payments are determined using a formula that considers the new taxes generated by the new jobs created. A percentage of those newly generated funds are reimbursed to the awarded company for the limited term of the grant and as long as the company meets its performance target.
Awards are based on:
- Location
- County Tier (Haywood is a Tier 2)
- Number of new jobs
- Wages of employees (as compared to the given county average wage, Haywood is $43,449)
- Level of investment
- Company's industry as it aligns with the State's targeted industry sectors
Key Criteria:
- Must be a business
- No citations from OSHA in the past 3 years
- Must have created the minimum number of eligible job positions (Tier 2 minimum is 20)
- May not be a retail facility
- May not be a warehouse that is part of a retail facility and only serves that retail facility
- May not be a professional or semi-professional sports team (excluding a professional motorsports team)
- All Full-Time employees must be provided health insurance
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One North Carolina Fund (OneNC)
OneNC can be granted at the discretion of the Governor in rapid response to competitive job creation projects. The North Carolina Department of Commerce administers OneNC on behalf of the Governor.
Awards are based on:
- Project location
- Economic Impact
- Level of investment
- Number of jobs created
- Importance of the project to the State and region
Key Criteria:
- The project must meet the County's average wage requirement (Haywood is $43,449)
- Must provide health insurance and pay at least 50% of the premiums for participating employees
- Must not be in default of any loan or grant previously received
- Must be up-to-date on taxes
- Must meet statutory occupational safety and environmental compliance requirements
- Must maintain 90% of new jobs for at least 2 years after the grant end date
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Public Infrastructure Funds
Utility Rate Discounts
North Carolina's Utility Account provides infrastructure grants to local governments in Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties. The North Carolina Department of Commerce administers the Utility Account. All applications are reviewed and approved by the Secretary of Commerce. Grant amounts depend on funding availability and each project's relative merits. Grants are awarded to local governments for infrastructure improvements that are publicly owned and maintained. The applicant must demonstrate that the project is expected to lead to job creation in the near future.
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Rail Industrial Access Program
The program uses state funds to help construct or refurbish railroad spur tracks required by a new or expanding company. Program funding is intended to modernize railroad tracks to ensure effective and efficient freight deliveries.
Project funding is contingent upon a company's application approval before deciding to locate or expand its facility in North Carolina. In addition, an award can be made only after confirmation of the availability of matching funds from private and/or local sources.
Grant recipients may receive a maximum of 50% of total project costs, subject to a $200,000 limit per project.
Eligible Projects:
- Engineering and design
- Site preparation, including grading and drainage
- Track construction
- Switches
- Grade crossings and signals
Ineligible Projects:
- Relocation of utilities
- Acquisition of right-of-way
- Unloading facilities
Find more information.
Building or Site Funds
Building Reuse Program
The program encourages the renovation of older buildings into attractive business locations. There are three categories of funding:
- Vacant Building Category
- Grants are available to support the renovation of vacant buildings. The building must be vacant for at least three months prior to application deadlines.
- Existing Building Category
- Grants are available to support the renovation or expansion of buildings occupied by a company operating in the State of North Carolina for at least 12 months. Companies must also meet the weekly wage standard, provide at least 50% employee benefits, and be represented on the Priority Industry Table.
- Rural Health Category
- Grants are available to support healthcare entities' renovation, expansion, or construction. The healthcare entity must be licensed by the State of North Carolina. Eligible applicants are units of local government located in either a Tier 1 or Tier 2 County, or a rural census tract in a Tier 3 County (Haywood is a Tier 2).
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Expanded Gas Products Service to Agriculture Fund
This fund is for project owners who facilitate new and expanded natural gas and propane gas services that would boost agricultural production or processing capabilities, pay for excess infrastructure costs, or pay for cost-effective alternatives that would reduce excess infrastructure costs.
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Workforce Training
On-the-Job Training Program (OJT)
Through OJT, a wage reimbursement incentive may be provided to a business to help offset the cost of training a new employee with limited skills. Wage reimbursement ranges from 50% to 75%, depending upon the business size, with a higher percentage for businesses with up to 250 employees.
OJT contracts are limited to the time required for the employee to become proficient in his/her job, not to exceed six months. Before hiring, an individualized training plan is developed with the employer to allow the new employee to gain the required competencies.
For more information, contact a local Workforce Development Board Business Services Representative.
Incumbent Worker Training Program
Incumbent Worker Training helps offset the cost of training employees who have worked for a business consistently for six months or more. Training should lead to an increased skill level so that employees can be promoted, and the employer can backfill opportunities for less skilled or experienced employees. The business must participate in the cost of the training through cash payments or in-kind contributions based on the size of the company.
For more information, contact a local Workforce Development Board Business Services Representative.
Federal Bonding for High-Risk Employees
Federal Bonding provides free individual fidelity bonds to employers when they hire "at risk" individuals who traditionally have had difficulty finding meaningful employment. Employers receive $5,000 in coverage for the first six months of employment. The coverage protects the employer from acts of dishonesty.
Eligible Individuals:
- Individuals with a history of arrest or conviction
- Individuals with a history of substance abuse
- Individuals with poor credit or who have declared bankruptcy
- Individuals with a dishonorable discharge from the military
- Individuals lacking sufficient work history
Other Requirements:
- There must be an Employer/Employee relationship
- The Employer must deduct all required federal and State income taxes from the pay
- The employee must be receiving a W2 at the end of the year (No 1099 or contract workers)
- Self-employed individuals are not eligible for the Federal Bonding Program
- Bond must be established prior to the first day of work
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The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)
The federal tax credit is available to employers who hire individuals from eligible target groups who are qualified for positions but face significant barriers to employment.
In North Carolina, the Commerce Department's Division of Workforce Solutions administers WOTC and determines eligibility for the target groups.
The tax credit employers can claim depends upon the target group of the individual hired, the wages paid to that individual in the first year of employment, and the number of hours that individual worked. A business can receive $1,200 to $9,600 for each eligible employee.
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Finish Line Grant
The Finish Line Grants program aims to help students complete their training when facing unforeseen financial hardships. Finish Line Grants can be used for course materials, housing, medical needs, dependent care, or other financial emergencies that students face through no fault of their own. Local community colleges and workforce development boards must submit a joint proposal to be an approved partnership to administer the Finish Line Grants program.
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