Stark County RPC is under contract with the Stark County Commissioners to perform the monitoring function of the Enterprise Zone (EZ) and Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) programs. The programs allow the abatement of real property taxes when a company plans to invest in new or expanded facilities and commits to the retention or creation of new jobs. Agreements must meet State law and rules of the Ohio Development Services Agency (formerly known as the Department of Development).
Five “county” enterprise zones are monitored by the County’s Enterprise Zone Manager, while the cities of Canton, Massillon, Louisville and Alliance are in charge of their own programs. A municipality may create their own CRA program but those in a township must be established by the Stark County Commissioners. While requirements to create (or expand) a CRA are different than the enterprise zone, there are only slight differences in the programs. Retail and residential uses are only eligible for abatement in a community reinvestment area.
A Tax Incentive Review Council (TIRC), made up of county, local government and school board representatives are required to meet at least yearly to review reports filed by a company receiving tax abatement under these programs. The makeup of the councils is set by law and reports are required to be filed with the Ohio Development Services Department each year by the end of March.
Extensive information about the program, regulations and sample agreements are also available on the State’s web site at Ohio Development Services Agency.
To view EZ/CRA areas and their boundaries, go to https://scrpc.maps.arcgis.com/home/index.html. Companies interested in requesting a tax abatement on a potential project should first contact the township, village or city that project is located for more information.