Cowlitz County, Washington:
Do Business Here
Business Assistance
The Cowlitz Economic Development Council serves as a single point of contact, helping businesses navigate the channels of new construction, expansion, and relocation. We serve both existing businesses and those looking to locate in the Cowlitz County region. Our core competencies include site location and acquisition, permitting assistance, business finance, policy development, incentives, foreign trade zone, strategic partnerships, workforce development, small business & microenterprise, rural revitalization and downtown development.
Site Location
Our staff can provide the details you need about properties available in Cowlitz County. The CEDC plays an integral role in a company’s site selection process. Searches are customized to meet the specific criteria of those interested in investing locally. Cowlitz County features affordable industrial land and facilities to serve various infrastructure requirements in Cowlitz County. The CEDC can locate and help procure property to meet your needs.
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We maintain close, working relationships with the majority of local realtors, developers, property and business park owners and port directors in Cowlitz County.
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We can provide access to databases to search out needed information, such as estimated value, infrastructure, ownership and transportation capacities for particular sites.
We can coordinate site visits.
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Links to available properties are listed on this site, and are updated by individual property owners, realtors and brokers on a regular basis.
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The CEDC helps you successfully navigate through the unique challenges and complexities of business expansion and relocation. We make sure you are talking to the right people at the right time, saving you legwork, time and money.
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We can act as a liaison between government agencies and businesses. We have close working relationships with all jurisdictions and utilities serving Cowlitz County.
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We can provide fee schedules for building permits, system development charges, and current rates for electrical, water, sewer and storm drainage use.
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Permitting Assistance
The CEDC helps you successfully navigate through the unique challenges and complexities of business expansion and relocation. We make sure you are talking to the right people at the right time, saving you legwork, time, and money.
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We can act as a liaison between government agencies and businesses. We have close working relationships with all jurisdictions and utilities serving Cowlitz County.
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We can provide fee schedules for building permits, system development charges, and current rates for electrical, water, sewer, and storm drainage use.
Business Finance
We offer incentives ranging from no sales tax in Cowlitz County, Washington, on the construction of manufacturing facilities to fast-track permitting of your project.
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Eligible manufacturing companies can access tax exempt industrial revenue bonds to finance real estate, machinery and equipment. Through revolving loan funds and an aggressive lending community, qualifying businesses can take advantage of attractive financing packages.
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Finance specialists assist with the packaging of loans for a variety of programs, including:
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Community Development Block Grant Float Loans
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SBA Loans and Loan Guaranties
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HUD Section 108 Guaranteed Loans
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Brownsfield Redevelopment Loan Fund
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Industrial Revenue Bonds
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Longview Revolving Loan Fund
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Craft3
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Lower Columbia Investment Network
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Local Financial Institutions
Policy Development
Strategic partnerships with lawmakers and corporate leaders mean members have a hand in shaping economic policy instead of waiting for it to be handed down.
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We advocate on behalf of issues that improve the Cowlitz County economy and make the county more competitive. We take this crucial part of our mission seriously and stay abreast of the latest concerns and issues.
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We monitor and review economic development trends, development constraints and employment projections for their potential economic impacts.
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We advocate and assist in developing legislation and or programs that foster sustainable economic growth.
Incentives
The CEDC will develop a customized package of incentives to aid in a cost effective site location. Cowlitz County offers incentives ranging from no sales tax on construction of manufacturing facilities to fast track permitting of your project. Rely on the CEDC’s years of experience to ensure your project qualifies for all available programs.
New and existing manufacturers, research and development firms and certain high technology companies in Washington can benefit from several targeted tax incentives. These are intended to encourage the preservation and creation of family-wage jobs.
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These include:
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Warehousing Sales/ Use Tax Exemption
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High Tech Sales/Use Tax Exemption
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Rural Area B&O Tax Credits
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High Tech B&O Tax Credits
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Rural County Sales Tax Exemption for Machinery & Equipment
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Rural County High Tech B&O Tax Credits
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Labor Force Training
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WA State Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Program
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HUB Zone Trade Zone
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Opportunity Zone
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Foreign Trade Zone
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Bioeconomic Development Opportunity Zone
Foreign Trade Zone
As the grantee of FTZ#120, the CEDC is able to help companies involved in foreign trade obtain zone advantages throughout Cowlitz County.
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These include:
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Relief from inverted tariffs
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Duty exemptions on re-exports
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Duty elimination on waste, scrap and yield loss
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Weekly entry savings
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Duty deferral
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The Foreign Trade Zones program has proven to be a successful trade program by consistently creating and retaining jobs and capital investment in the United States.
Strategic Partnerships
Strategic partnerships with lawmakers and corporate leaders mean members have a hand in shaping economic policy instead of waiting for it to be handed down.
We advocate on behalf of issues that improve the Cowlitz County economy and make the county more competitive. We take this crucial part of our mission seriously and stay abreast of the latest concerns and issues.
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We monitor and review economic development trends, development constraints and employment projections for their potential economic impacts.
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We advocate and assist in developing legislation and or programs that foster sustainable economic growth.
Workforce Development
The CEDC works closely with Lower Columbia College, Workforce Southwest Washington, Work Source, Goodwill Industries, Cowlitz Tribe, local employment agencies, Cowlitz Wahkiakum Council of Governments, labor organizations, and educational institutions for the development, expansion, and retention of Cowlitz Counties workforce.
Small Business & Microenterprise
The CEDC works closely with businesses of all sizes, including small businesses, microenterprises, and up-and-coming entrepreneurs. Our staff of experts provide consulting, education, provide networking opportunities, financial resources, site selection, permitting assistance, and advocacy.
