Lake County Incentives
Lake County offers a number of favorable business incentive programs. For information about the available incentives, or to find out if a business qualifies to receive any of the incentives listed below, contact Lake County’s Economic Development Department.
Review Appropriate to Priority in Development (RAPID)
The RAPID program offers expedited plan review and inspections affecting construction of a facility in a timeframe that meets the goals and deadlines of the applicant’s organization.
Qualified applicants will include target industries, businesses locating in the Christopher C. Ford Commerce Park, Brownfield sites and businesses providing a number of jobs or positions with higher wages than the County average.
Business Assistance Program (BAP)
The Business Assistance Program provides matching funds to new and expanding businesses to offset development costs (building permit fees, impact fees and/or infrastructure improvement costs).
The applicant must share 50 percent of the costs, with the maximum grant amount limited to $25,000, unless otherwise approved by the Lake County Board of County Commissioners. The business must create a minimum of five (5) new jobs that pay no less than 115 percent of the average annual wage for Lake County. The jobs must be retained a minimum of two years.
Download Business Assistance Program (BAP) Application Form
Download Business Assistance Program (BAP) AgreementHigh Value Job Creation Program (HVJCP)
The High Value Job Creation Program provides a cash award for the creation of jobs paying a minimum of 115 percent of the County’s average annual wage (AAW).
New businesses must create 10 jobs and existing businesses must create five jobs that must be retained a minimum of two years. Per job bonuses will be as follows, with the payment being made at the time the position is filled:
- $2,000 (minimum of 115% of AAW)
- $3,000 (minimum 150% of AAW)
- $4,000 (minimum 200% of AAW)
Download High Value Job Creation Program (HVJCP) Agreement
Download High Value Job Creation Program (HVJCP) Application
Business Association Sponsorship Program
The Business Association Sponsorship Program offers assistance with event sponsorship. In addition, this program formalizes the sponsorship process while providing guidelines and an application procedure for those seeking awards.
Organizations planning events that will provide businesses and business owners with information and/or assistance may apply bi-annually. Awards are limited to a maximum of $4,000 per event. Sponsorship funds must be used for expenses directly related to the business event, and Lake County must be a recognized sponsor, with the Lake County logo appearing on all electronic and printed marketing materials for the event. Lake County must also a granted an exhibitor booth/table at the event for marketing of County programs (if desired).
Download Business Association Sponsorship Program Application Form
Lake County Enterprise Zones
The Florida Enterprise Zone Program offers a number of tax incentives to businesses located within geographically-designated areas. Lake County's Enterprise Zone consists of areas of unincorporated Lake County and within the cities of Eustis, Leesburg and Mascotte that are targeted for community redevelopment and economic revitalization.
These incentives help facilitate the growth and redevelopment of businesses, while also creating additional employment opportunities for residents within the respective areas.
