[Ord. No. 10-24, 8-24-2010; Ord. No. 11-05, 3-22-2011; amended 8-8-2017 by Ord. No.
17-20; 3-12-2019 by Ord. No. 19-07]
The Fredericksburg Technology Zone shall encompass all of the
land within the corporate limits, including new territory which comes
within the City limits by annexation, boundary adjustment, or otherwise.
[Ord. No. 10-24, 8-24-2010]
A. The following businesses are eligible for the tax incentives and
regulatory flexibility provided herein:
(1)Â An existing technology business that expands to create at least five
new jobs or makes a new capital investment of at least $125,000 in
its property. An "existing business" is a business that was actively
engaged in the conduct of trade or business within the City prior
to submission of an application for technology zone incentives.
(2)Â A new technology business that creates at least 10 new jobs or makes
a capital investment of at least $250,000 in its property. A "new
business" is one that has not been actively engaged in the conduct
of trade or business within the City prior to the submission of an
application for technology zone incentives.
B. A "technology business" includes, but is not limited to, research,
development, manufacture, or associated training of: applied, economic
and social, physical, electronic and computer sciences; biotechnology,
chemicals, computer hardware, computer security, computer software,
data warehousing, electronics and circuits, energy, environmental,
homeland security, information systems, internet service, internet
software and data applications, manufacturing equipment, advanced
materials, medical, finance related companies, multi-media production,
pharmaceuticals, photonics, subassemblies and components, test and
measurement, telecommunications or transportation. In no case shall
the use of computers or telecommunications services by a business
in its administrative operations, by itself, qualify as a technology
business.
C. An eligible technology business may be awarded tax incentives for
up to 10 years. The tax incentives may include, but not be limited
to, (i) reduction of permit fees; (ii) reduction of user fees; (iii)
and reduction of the business license tax. The extent and duration
of such incentive proposals shall conform to the requirements of the
Constitutions of Virginia and the United States.
[Amended 3-12-2019 by Ord. No. 19-07]
D. The City Council may also provide for regulatory flexibility within
the technology zones, which may include, but not be limited to: (i)
special zoning, (ii) permit process reform, (iii) exemption from ordinance,
and (iv) any other incentives adopted by the ordinance, which shall
be binding upon the City for a period of up to 10 years.
[Amended 3-12-2019 by Ord. No. 19-07]
[Ord. No. 10-24, 8-24-2010]
The City Manager is authorized to administer the technology
zones. The City Manager is authorized to negotiate performance agreements
with potential new or expanded businesses. The City Council shall
have final approval authority for performance agreements.