Business Incentives Program
St. Johns County’s business incentive programs, established under Ordinance 2014-30, support projects that create quality jobs and make significant capital investments in the community. These performance-based incentives are designed for projects that meet minimum thresholds for facility size, job creation, and wage levels.
Incentive Average Wage Requirements Targeted Industry Report
Small businesses and startups seeking guidance or early-stage support are encouraged to connect with the Small Business Development Center , which provides free consulting and resources to help businesses start and grow successfully.
County Economic Development Incentives
This program supports companies that are relocating to or establishing new operations in St. Johns County. Incentives are awarded through a point system based on factors such as job creation, wage levels, facility size, and targeted industry alignment. Qualifying projects may receive rebates on impact fees, water and sewer fees, and property tax incentives.
SJC Incentive Program Summary –New Industry
This program assists current St. Johns County businesses that are expanding operations. Companies can earn incentives based on their facility expansion, number of new employees, wage levels, and location. Benefits may include rebates on impact fees and property tax incentives to support continued growth in the county.
SJC-Incentive-Program-Summary-Expanding Industry
This program supports the development of new office or industrial space, increasing the county’s inventory of business-ready facilities. Incentives are based on project size, facility type, ownership timeframe, and location. Eligible projects may receive rebates on impact fees and property tax incentives.
SJC-Incentive-Program-Summary-Speculative Development
New Industry Incentive
This program supports companies that are relocating to or establishing new operations in St. Johns County. Incentives are awarded through a point system based on factors such as job creation, wage levels, facility size, and targeted industry alignment. Qualifying projects may receive rebates on impact fees, water and sewer fees, and property tax incentives.
SJC Incentive Program Summary –New Industry
Existing Industry Incentive
This program assists current St. Johns County businesses that are expanding operations. Companies can earn incentives based on their facility expansion, number of new employees, wage levels, and location. Benefits may include rebates on impact fees and property tax incentives to support continued growth in the county.
SJC-Incentive-Program-Summary-Expanding Industry
Speculative Space Incentive
This program supports the development of new office or industrial space, increasing the county’s inventory of business-ready facilities. Incentives are based on project size, facility type, ownership timeframe, and location. Eligible projects may receive rebates on impact fees and property tax incentives.
SJC-Incentive-Program-Summary-Speculative Development
State Economic Development Incentives
Used to attract and grow capital-intensive industries in Florida: clean energy, biomedical technology, financial services, information technology, silicon technology, transportation equipment manufacturing, or a corporate headquarters facility.
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FloridaFlex, formerly known as Quick Response Training, offers partial reimbursement to relocating or expanding businesses for expenses related to training new or existing employees after jobs have been created or retained.
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Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) – a program that provides training to currently employed workers to keep Florida’s workforce competitive in a global economy and to retain existing businesses. The program is available to all Florida businesses that have been in operation for at least one year prior to application and require skills upgrade training for existing employees. Priority is given to businesses in targeted industries, Enterprise Zones, HUB Zones, Inner City Distressed areas, Rural Counties and areas, and Brownfield areas.
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Reserved for major facilities operating in designated portions of high-impact sectors.
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Capital Investment Tax Credit
Used to attract and grow capital-intensive industries in Florida: clean energy, biomedical technology, financial services, information technology, silicon technology, transportation equipment manufacturing, or a corporate headquarters facility.
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FloridaFlex (Quick Response Training Grant)
FloridaFlex, formerly known as Quick Response Training, offers partial reimbursement to relocating or expanding businesses for expenses related to training new or existing employees after jobs have been created or retained.
Learn More
Incumbent Worker Training Program (IWT)
Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) – a program that provides training to currently employed workers to keep Florida’s workforce competitive in a global economy and to retain existing businesses. The program is available to all Florida businesses that have been in operation for at least one year prior to application and require skills upgrade training for existing employees. Priority is given to businesses in targeted industries, Enterprise Zones, HUB Zones, Inner City Distressed areas, Rural Counties and areas, and Brownfield areas.
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High Impact Performance Incentive
Reserved for major facilities operating in designated portions of high-impact sectors.
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Industrial Development Authority
The St. Johns County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) serves as a key financial and strategic partner for businesses choosing to locate or expand in St. Johns County. With the authority to issue tax‑exempt bond financing, the IDA enables manufacturing, non‑profit, and exempt facilities to access lower‑cost capital, making projects more economically viable.
IDA Bond Process
Industrial Development Authority
The St. Johns County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) serves as a key financial and strategic partner for businesses choosing to locate or expand in St. Johns County. With the authority to issue tax‑exempt bond financing, the IDA enables manufacturing, non‑profit, and exempt facilities to access lower‑cost capital, making projects more economically viable.
IDA Bond Process
Small Business Development Center
Businesses and startups seeking guidance or early-stage support are encouraged to connect with the Small Business Development Center. The Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of North Florida provides no-cost consulting, affordable training, and resources to help entrepreneurs grow and succeed.
Small Business Development Center
Small Business Development Center
Businesses and startups seeking guidance or early-stage support are encouraged to connect with the Small Business Development Center. The Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of North Florida provides no-cost consulting, affordable training, and resources to help entrepreneurs grow and succeed.
Small Business Development Center
