From Site Selection magazine, November 2000
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Vermont
Vermont has taken several small steps in various areas in order to make the state a more appealing location for businesses, especially those of the high-tech ilk. First, the state has been awarded two grants valued at more than $278,000 from the U.S. Dept. of Commerce and the Small Business Administration. These grants will go to fund forums, workshops, technical assistance, networking programs and Web-based technology to help Vermont's high-tech businesses be more competitive.
The Vermont Technology Incubator at Essex also opened for business this summer in Forestdale Technology Park. The new park, which was created by a public-private partnership, provides facilities, tools and support services for high-tech entrepreneurs and businesses. It will also offer assistance for transferring technology from universities and colleges to commercial application.
In other news, the state continues to tweak its workers' compensation laws. Effective April 19, 2000, injuries incurred by an employee off the premises of the employer during a recreational activity available as part of a benefit package but is not part of the employee's job is no longer compensable.
Governor: Howard Dean (D) 802-828-3333
Gov. Jim Gilmore and the Virginia Legislature passed a number of bills relating to the state's business climate. A major component of this year's push was in the expansion of the Enterprise Zone Act. Senate Bill 281 authorized the establishment of one noncontiguous zone area for each jurisdiction participating in a joint enterprise zone area. This allows localities to work together to form joint enterprise zones that could result in the formation of regional industrial parks.
Another measure increased the maximum number of enterprise zone designations from 55 to 60. These five zones must be in localities with unemployment rates that are 50 percent or higher than the statewide average.
Virginia also made major moves in the high-tech world. One key measure allows local governments to lower the personal property tax rate on equipment used to provide Internet services.
Another tech bill created tax credits and/or grants for capital, debt, cash and stock investments in certain technology companies locating or qualified research taking place in tobacco-dependent communities. Virginia Investment Partnership grants were also expanded to include major nonmanufacturing employers that create 1,000 new jobs and invest more than $100 million.
Bringing Virginia to the forefront of e-business, Gilmore issued an executive order implementing electronic government in the state. This is expected to streamline the services offered by the government through the use of the Internet. Gilmore also signed into law the Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act and the Uniform Transactions Act.
Governor: James S. Gilmore III (R) 804-786-2211
It's hard to imagine what one could do with a $200 million check, but that's exactly what many Washington businesses are thinking about right now. Gov. Gary Locke announced in June that Washington employers soon will receive workers' compensation refund checks totaling $200 million. This is the second $200 million dividend employers have received in two years. About 130,000 Washington employers will share in the refund.
Locke also signed into law an unemployment insurance (UI) tax cut for Washington businesses. The measure canceled a 23 percent increase in the UI tax that was due in April and cut the UI tax for employers, which is expected to save businesses a total of $576 million over the next six years. As part of the measure, the state will provide $140 million over six years in additional training benefits to laid-off timber, fish, aerospace and other workers who are enrolled in retraining programs for high-demand fields.
In other work-force development news, the state established a partnership with business, labor and education partners to help workers gain the skills needed to work in the agricultural processing and packing industries. The goal is to bring together sectors of the agricultural industry with other training providers and local work-force development councils so they can share information and best practices.
Governor: Gary Locke (D) 360-902-4111
Gov. Cecil H. Underwood and the 74th West Virginia Legislature signed into law a number of bills that change the face of the state's business climate. One key piece of legislation established the New Millennium Fund, which empowers the state's Jobs Investment Trust Fund Board to act as a mobilizer of financing and capital for emerging, expanding or restructuring business opportunities in the state. Repayment of loans to the new fund are the obligation of the board and supported by the issuance of prospective non-incentive tax credits that may offset certain taxes imposed on entities that purchase the credit.
For those expanding in one of West Virginia's chemical and steel alliance zones, the state has extended the application of the certified capital addition manufacturing, or "Five-for-Ten," property valuation to multiparty projects. If the qualified addition results in expanded manufacturing activity within the state, the new addition is appraised at 5 percent of market value for property tax assessment purposes.
West Virginia also took steps to provide more qualified workers with the approval of $750,000 for the Work-force Development Initiative program, which was established in the 1999 Legislative Session. The grants program provides funds for community colleges that identify a work-force development need that's tied to business and industry in the region.
The Mountain State also has implemented its Work-force Investment Act, under which seven regional Work-force Investment Boards have been established. In April, the governor certified the seven boards; they will set policy for the statewide work-force investment system.
Governor: Cecil Underwood (R) 304-558-2000
Wisconsin wrapped up its biennial budget in October of last year, which included several pro-business moves. Gov. Tommy G. Thompson wielded his pen in a way that eliminated a $43 million tax hike on businesses, including $31 million in recycling taxes on companies.
Thompson also placed a lot of fiscal emphasis on work-force development and education. Under the new budget, $30 million was provided for targeted hiring and academic program expansion at University of Wisconsin-Madison -- an effort to maintain the university's ranking as a top research institute. Another $79 million will be invested into the entire University of Wisconsin (UW) system, and tuitions at state universities will be frozen throughout the 2000-01 academic year. The state also allocated $152.2 million to the TEACH program, which invests in educational technology for schools, and $7.3 million will be given in general aid to the state's technical colleges.
Thompson's budget also created the new Work-Based Learning Board, which is charged with developing programming to meet the needs of the private sector. The board will look at work-based educational programs at all levels -- K-12, technical colleges and UW -- to better prepare students for the work force.
Wisconsin also established its Council on Work-force Investment, meeting the requirements set forth by the federal Work-force Investment Act.
The Badger State has also made efforts to provide assistance in small or start up companies. In May, the state announced the Dept. of Commerce-UW Small Business Development Center Entrepreneurial Training Grant Partnership. The new program will help entrepreneurs and small businesses with promising ideas by providing assistance in developing necessary business planning skills.
The Dept. of Commerce also announced a new program that offers new financing tools to help local businesses become more competitive. The first tool is the Economic Impact Early Planning Grant program, which offers matching grants that can cover up to 70 percent of project costs -- up to $3,000 -- to help entrepreneurs and small businesses obtain professional services to develop comprehensive business plans.
The Economic Impact Loan program provides low-interest loans to existing Wisconsin businesses interested in modernizing or improving their operations. And the third new financing tool is the Economic Diversification Loan program, which grants low-interest loans to existing businesses interested in establishing or expanding operations in Wisconsin.
Governor: Tommy G. Thompson (R) 608-266-1212
Expanding online accessibility was Wyoming's biggest push this year. Currently, the state has two important Web initiatives under way: e-government and www.wyomingbusiness.org.
A project manager and vendor was announced in June for the state's e-government initiative. Andersen Consulting will design and implement the state's strategy for creating an online enterprise portal for Wyoming's government. The project is scheduled for completion by year's end.
The Wyoming Business Council's www.wyomingbusiness.org is up but still under development. Part of the continuing development includes a searchable database on available sites/buildings, community profiles, financial resources and demographics. The site will also provide business permits and information on relocating, expanding and starting a business in the state.
Governor: Jim Geringer (R) 307-777-7434
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