Local Programs

• Work Opportunity Tax Credit

Appanoose County employers may qualify for a maximum of $2,400 for each employee hired (credit of 40% of the first $6,000 of wages paid to an eligible employee that works for at least 400 hours during the first year of employment).  Since Appanoose County is a Rural Renewal County, residents of Appanoose County are eligible employees for this tax credit. See where WOTCs are available in Iowa.

• Enterprise Zone

The City of Centerville has areas designated as Enterprise Zones. Those individuals or businesses making new investment in these areas are eligible for property tax abatements, credits and other benefits. Here is a map of the Enterprise Zones in Iowa.

• HUBZone

Appanoose county is a designated HUBZone which the Government considers a preferred location when granting government contracts to manufacturers and businesses. Here is an overview of the HUBZone program. You may also wish to view a map of the designated HUBZones in Iowa.

• Property Tax Abatement

Many of Appanoose County’s communities have up to a five-year graduated tax abatement applied to purchase and construction of buildings.

• Appanoose Industrial Corporation

The Appanoose Industrial Corporation is an organization that can provide additional financial incentives to businesses relocating to or expanding in Appanoose County.

• Tax Increment Financing (TIF)

The State of Iowa has a very favorable Tax Increment Financing (TIF) law – possibly one of the most flexibly applied TIF laws in the United States.   The City of Centerville’s TIF is thus advantageous for prospective and current employers.  In Iowa, Tax Increment Financing can be used by public entities to buy land, perform environmental cleanup, contract services, build or remove infrastructure, and so on.   Funding is available either through bonding or through a business rebate agreement.

Local Services

The City of Centerville has a fully staffed, full-time Police Department and Fire Department.  For details about the Fire Department, go to www.centervillefire-ia.com

Regional Programs

There is a Regional Revolving Loan Fund available to small, medium, and large Appanoose County businesses.  Contact Tod Faris for details.

Chariton Valley Planning and Development, located in Centerville, has been designated as an Iowa Council of Governments. This organization assists businesses and governments in Appanoose, Lucas, Monroe and Wayne Counties with grants and programs that will improve economic development. For details, contact Tracy Daughertyat nmoore@charitonvalleyplanning.com, or visit the website at www.charitonvalleyplanning.com.

The Opportunity Squared Region is an 8 county consortium that develops programs to market our region.  Go to www.op2iowa.com for more information, and to see the Advanced Manufacturing video that we recently produced to attract young people to the advanced manufacturing field.

State Programs

Appanoose County has a strong partnership with the Iowa Department of Economic Development. Many of the state’s economic development programs can be found at: www.iowalifechanging.com

Appanoose County also has a strong partnership with the Iowa Area Development Group. Additional programs can be found at www.iadg.com

MyEntre.Net is a website created by the Regional Business Center group that is part of the larger University of Northern Iowa’s Business and Community Services (BCS) division. You can network with other entrepreneurs, and with people who understand small business and experts are able to help you with any issues you may have.

The State of Iowa has many additional advantages. Check them out by clicking below.

Business Advantages

Locating and growing a business in Appanoose County definitely has its advantages. We have a wide variety of resources dedicated to assist in determining the programs and opportunities that will benefit your business the most.