In Case You Missed It: Elimination of Enterprise Zone Tax Credit Threatens Local San Diego Businesses

Tax credits are the only way businesses can remain competitive in California

(SAN DIEGO, CA)— San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, Mayor Cheryl Cox of Chula Vista, and Mayor Ron Morrison of National City as well as other business and community leaders from throughout the region, met at the NASSCO shipyard yesterday to discuss the benefits of the Enterprise Zone program. NASSCO is just one of the businesses throughout the state that would be negatively impacted if Governor Brown’s proposal to eliminate the Enterprise Zone tax credit program goes through.

KPBS: Popular Business Tax Credit Program on Chopping Block

The NASSCO shipyard in San Diego is so massive workers ride around on beach cruisers to get from one place to another. But company president Fred Harris said the incentives to do business in California are so small it’s hard to be competitive.

NASSCO receives tax credits from California, which could be eliminated in the coming budget process. California is facing a $26-billion deficit. And the governor is proposing to eliminate a tax-credit program for businesses in distressed communities, the so-called Enterprise Zone program.

…

“The program that has helped us immensely is the Enterprise Zone Program. It has given us some tax relief,” [Harris] said…

…

Harris was joined at the shipyard by the mayors of San Diego, Chula Vista and National City. San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders said that during the last three years, more than 13,000 people have been hired at companies located within enterprise zones.

“It’s been tremendously successful in creating jobs in the San Diego region,” Sanders said.

…

Read the entire article here.