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The
Yuba-Sutter Enterprise Zone was established on October 15, 1986,
as one of the original ten California Enterprise Zones. Largest in the state, the zone crosses the
jurisdictional boundaries of Yuba County, Sutter County, and the
incorporated cities of Marysville and Yuba City. The
original zone expired through term of program on October 14, 2006, after
having received one of the few five-year extensions granted for the
program. A new zone has been conditionally designated and
effective as of October 15, 2006, closing the gap between the "old zone"
and the "new zone." Final designation will occur shortly after the
new year in 2008. The final requirement of the Environmental
Impact Report is now nearing completion and expected to be submitted to
the state to clear all conditions by early 2008.
ZONE HISTORY
Original
enterprise zones had their beginning in Britain, which offered tax reductions and a
lifting of regulatory burdens for local businesses. The main objective was to foster
an attractive business environment in specific areas where economic growth was lacking.
Two legislative bills, AB 40 and AB 514, were approved
in 1984 which established the Enterprise Zone and Economic Incentive Area Programs in the
State of California. The Nolan bill provided for the establishment of 25 Enterprise
Zones which the Waters bill provided for the establishment of 9 Program/Economic Incentive
Areas. The bills vary slightly in terms of the incentives offered to businesses;
however, both programs are designed to help communities spur business growth and job
generation by offering state tax credits and incentives to qualifying businesses.
The first zones/areas were awarded in 1986 and by 1993 all original "slots"
provided by legislation were filled. In addition, with the passage of SB 2023, the
two zone programs were unified into an even stronger and more lucrative program commencing
in 1997.
Just as quick as the Enterprise Zone programs were
established in 1984, Yuba County, Sutter County, and the incorporated cities of Marysville
and Yuba City, began the intensive and highly competitive application process for the
program. Yuba-Sutter's application was one of 40-plus applications submitted for one
of the first ten designations available under the Nolan bill.
In the application, Yuba-Sutter demonstrated a strong
commitment to its residents and businesses and proposed a well-defined marketing plan to
ensure the Zone's success. This was easily accomplished based on the foundation
already built through previous economic development efforts of the Yuba-Sutter region.
This foundation, coupled with the support the cities and counties received from its
business, brokerage, lending, and residential communities, all provided key
ingredients in
producing a successful application.
The Yuba-Sutter Enterprise
Zone received final designated on October 15, 1986, one of the ten original
zones, and one of 39
enterprise zones throughout California. The "old" Yuba-Sutter Enterprise Zone encompassed
over 70.48 square miles, or 45,107 acres, including approximately 70 percent
of all industrial and commercial property within Yuba-Sutter. The
original boundary included 15.0 square miles, or 9,600 acres, which was
expanded on December 31, 1986, November 13, 1989, October 31, 1991, February
3, 1994, June 3, 1997. and February 24, 1998, adding 55.51 square miles or
35,526 acres.
The "new" zone encompasses
over 101 square miles and encompasses 95 percent of the "old" zone area,
but now includes the city of Live Oak and all Sutter County area leading
north to the city; and the city of Wheatland and all Yuba County
area leading south to the city. A six-jurisdiction zone, the
designation adds another 15-year term to the program to extend to
October 14, 2021.
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