[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) 
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) 
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.