Under authority of the State of Illinois, the City of Benton and the Franklin County Board was certified as an Illinois Enterprise Zone effective March 1,1990. The zone will expire February 28, 2010. The following is an overview of the benefits available for qualifying businesses within the enterprise zone.

Local Benefits

• Abatement of Real Estate Taxes for Improvements to Real Property.
• State Sales Tax Deduction for Building Materials.
• Waiver of Permit Fees

State Benefits

• Enterprise Zone Investment Tax Credit
• Manufacturing Machinery and Equipment Sales Tax Exemption.
• State Utility Tax Exemption.
• Jobs Tax Credit
• Income Tax Deduction for Financial Institutions.
• Dividend Deduction.
• Corporate Contribution Deduction.

To determine how the enterprise zone may benefit your business, please contact one of the following individuals.

• Dave Dobill, Zone Administrator
• Franklin County Courthouse
• Public Square
• Benton, Illinois 62812
• Phone: 618-438-3221
• Fax: 618-439-4119
• email: frcoclerk@co.franklin.il.us

• Dennis W. Miller , Executive Director
• Benton - West City EDC
• P.O. Box 575
• Benton, Illinois 62812
• Phone: 618-435-34274
• Email: edc@bentonwestcity.com