By: Kate Kimmel
Months after increasing development fees, Nassau County commissioners have approved a program intended to help small businesses absorb those added costs.
Nassau County Commissioners voted yesterday in favor of launching the new Resources for Independent Small Businesses (RISE) Program, which will provide eligible small businesses with up to $20,000 in fee waivers.
Economic Resources Manager Kathy Freyman said the program is meant to remove “startup” burdens such as impact fees or mobility permits that can act as barriers to entry for small businesses. Businesses will be able to use the funds that otherwise would be spent on fees for hiring staff, marketing their business and other needs.
The county voted to increase impact and mobility fees in December, sparking concern from business owners about expansion within the county. Commissioner A.M. Huppmann said the program was designed with those concerns in mind.
The initiative is in partnership with the Florida Small Business Development Council, which will help small business owners seeking the grant vet their business plans, ensure financial projections are well thought out, and provide other research tools.
To qualify for the fee credits, a business must meet the SBDC’s definition of a small business, be currently located in or expanding to Nassau County, remain current on taxes, and have a comprehensive business plan.
Jodi Henson, who oversees the SBDC’s consulting operations, said their goal is to make sure those applying for the grants are ready for the funds and will spend them responsibly. Applications will be submitted through the SBDC following its review of completeness and eligibility.
“We’ll make sure it’s all in a nice, well-vetted package,” Henson said.
The program is being launched as a three-year pilot program, with $200,000 budgeted per year. This will allow the county to test the program’s effectiveness and amend it as necessary before it is launched as a permanent program, Freyman said.
“We want to get the money out to the small businesses so they can reinvest it, and so our goal is to get the money out the door,” County Manager Taco Pope said. “If demand is big and money goes quick, then it goes quick. If it’s not, then we’ll recalibrate and come up with a way to make it a more effective program.”
The funds that will be used for the RISE program became available after recent state legislation changed to allow tourism tax dollars to fund lifeguard services, freeing up the $200,000 spent on lifeguard services annually.
The concept of the RISE program was first presented at the county’s winter strategic planning session, during which Pope said the program had been designed with trade-based businesses in mind. He offered the example of an electrician hoping to add 10,000 square feet to a warehouse but facing fees that could make the project financially unfeasible.
Ineligible businesses include corporate-owned franchises, not-for-profit organizations, and any adult-oriented or themed businesses such as tattoo parlors, bars or smoke shops. The business must also be in compliance with code enforcement and have no outstanding debts to federal or local governments.
Businesses will be able to apply for the funds throughout the year, but they must apply prior to spending the funds, Freyman said.
The application process will include a pre-application meeting with the SBDC, which will review the applicant’s project and business plan to determine eligibility. If the proposed project is deemed ready, the application and supplemental documents will be received and formally reviewed by the SBDC, then forwarded to Freyman’s office.
If approved, the applicant can receive up to a $20,000 credit that can be used to waive development fees, which include mobility fees, impact fees, inspection fees, application fees and permit fees charged by the county.
The SBDC has already begun identifying businesses that would make good candidates, Freyman said. County officials voiced enthusiasm for the program and hope that enough businesses are made aware of it to take advantage.
kkimmel@nassaunewsline.net
