Economic development incentives

Kentucky

Midwestern US

BLS & Co. periodically revises the state incentive pages to ensure our firm is providing the most current information on legislative and regulatory developments affecting available programs. Updates will be posted in the near future. In the interim, please call BLS & Co. with any questions at 609.924.9775 or reach out via email at info@BLSstrategies.com.

Tax Credits

Kentucky Business Investment (KBI) Program:  Provides income tax credits and wage assessments to new and existing agribusinesses, regional and national headquarters, manufacturing companies, alternative fuel, gasification, energy-efficient alternative fuels, renewable energy production companies, carbon dioxide transmission pipelines and non-retail service or technology related companies that locate or expand operations in Kentucky. Projects locating in certain counties may qualify for enhanced incentives. The tax credits and wage assessments may be claimed for up to 10 years in most parts of the state with the eligibility period extending to 15 years in enhanced incentive counties or projects investing at least $200 million.

Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act (KEIA): For new or expanded companies engaged in manufacturing, non-retail service or technology activities, agribusiness, headquarters operations, alternative fuel, gasification, energy-efficient alternative fuels, renewable energy production companies, carbon dioxide transmission pipelines, or tourism attraction project in Kentucky. KEIA provides a refund of Kentucky sales and use tax paid by approved companies for building and construction materials permanently incorporated as an improvement to real property. It is also available for Kentucky sales and use tax refunds for eligible equipment used for research and development, data processing equipment or flight simulation equipment. Eligible companies must make a minimum capital investment of $500,000.  

Kentucky Reinvestment Act (KRA): Existing Kentucky manufacturers that invest at least $2,500,000 in capital expenditures may qualify for a corporate income tax credit.  The value of the credit may equal up to 100% of corporate income tax liability arising from the project and credits may be claimed for up to 10 years.  Approved companies must retain at least 85% of their employees at time of approval.

Kentucky Small Business Tax Credit (KSBTC): An eligible small business is any business organized for profit with 50 or fewer full-time employees that is not an affiliate or subsidiary of a larger corporate structure.  To be eligible for an income tax credit during the year of approval, not to exceed $25,000, the company must: 1) create at least one new, full-time job that must be in place for 12 months and pay no less than 150 percent of the federal minimum wage; and 2) expend at least $5,000 on qualifying equipment or technology.  An eligible company may not apply until one year after both of the minimum requirements are met.  

Kentucky Collateral Support Program (KYCSP): Provides a pledged asset (cash collateral account) to an enrolled lender of up to twenty percent (20%) of a loan in order to enhance the collateral coverage of a small business borrower that is otherwise qualified but unable to meet the lender’s security requirements.  The cash account may be pledged as collateral on behalf of the borrower and placed on deposit at the participating lending institution or designated insured depository financial institution.

Incentives & Exemptions

Property tax exemption: Kentucky taxes all real property that is not specifically exempted by the state constitution and tangible personal property unless it has been exempted by the legislature. Local taxing jurisdictions in Kentucky include counties, cities, school districts, and special taxing districts (fire protection districts, sanitation districts, watershed districts, etc.) Local governments are prohibited from taxing certain classes of property, such as manufacturing machinery, raw materials inventory, and work-in-process.  Manufacturing machinery is subject to a reduced state tax rate of $0.15 per $100 of assessed valuation.

Non-Refundable Tax Credit:  Provides tax credit for tax paid on inventory to offset income and limited liability entity taxes. The credit is phased-in as follows: 2018 – 25% of tax paid on inventory; 2019 – 50% of tax paid on inventory; 2020 – 75% of tax paid on inventory; 2021 and thereafter – 100% of tax paid on inventory.

Grant and Financing Programs

Special Zoning

Job Training

Bluegrass State Skills Corporation Skills Training Investment Credit (STIC):  Provides a credit against income tax liability for businesses that sponsor occupational or skills upgrade training programs for employees. Tax credits are equivalent to $500 per full-time employee trained up to $75,000.

Bluegrass State Skills Corporation Grant-in-Aid Program:  Provides matching grant funds for customized business and industry-specific training programs. The training grants can reimburse up to 50% of eligible training costs, capped at the lesser of $2,000 per employee or $75,000.

Financing & Financial Assistance

Local Incentives

Other Programs

Interested in Learning More?

Contact us today at 609.924.9775 or info@blsstrategies.comto schedule an initial incentives strategy consultation.
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