Businesses Urged to Tap "Enterprise Zone" Incentives
City and Partners to Present South Bay Enterprise Zone Informational Workshop

SAN DIEGO - The City of San Diego, in partnership with the Grueskin Location Strategies and the Small Business Development and International Trade Center will hold an informational workshop explaining how businesses can take advantage of several significant tax savings and assistance opportunities available in the South Bay Enterprise Zone.

Specifically, the workshop will focus on an overview of the South Bay Enterprise Zone, which includes the communities of San Ysidro, Otay Mesa and portions of the City of Chula Vista, as well as other useful programs available to businesses through the Community and Economic Development Department. In addition, businesses will have an opportunity to learn about Enterprise Zone tax credits, legislative updates and various resources small businesses can utilize to improve their bottom line. The workshop will take place on Tuesday, April 22nd from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the San Ysidro Middle School Multicultural Complex at 4345 Otay Mesa Road.

The workshop will also provide an overview and review the application process for the Enterprise Zone, detailing the program's considerable state tax savings. Some of the benefits available include sales and employee tax credits, and net interest deductions, among others. In addition to current business owners, accountants, HR Managers, Lenders, Brokers and entrepreneurs seeking potential new business sites are also encouraged to attend the workshop to learn of the tax advantages associated with locating in the Enterprise Zone.

"Enterprise Zones demonstrate the commitment the City of San Diego and state are making to promote and nurture business in San Diego," said Lydia Moreno, manager of the City's Special Incentives Programs. "The information that current and potential business owners can obtain at the workshop is invaluable and, when combined with the City's other incentives, businesses can potentially save a great deal of revenue."

A new City resource, the Business Development and Incentive Zone Mapping System, allows the public to quickly determine whether a business or property is eligible for certain incentives based on its location. Users can search for incentives by entering an address or Assessor Parcel Number. To access the system, visit the City's Web site at www.sandiego.gov and type "business development" in the search field.

For more information about the workshop, contact Margarita Grueskin with Grueskin Location Strategies at (619) 628-0860 or Lydia Moreno of the City's Community and Economic Development Department at (619) 533-7512.

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With an emphasis on the City's urban core neighborhoods and low- and moderate-income residents, the Community and Economic Development Department strives to improve the quality of life and ensure a healthy economy in San Diego through job development, business development, neighborhood revitalization, public improvements, redevelopment, social services, and revenue enhancement.