Several state and local programs are available to encourage new job creation and investment across Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade and Walker counties. Tax exemptions, tax credits, labor-recruiting assistance and Georgia's Quick Start Training Program are just some of the incentives that make expansion here rewarding.
State Job Tax Credit
Georgia's statutory Job Tax Credit applies against state income-tax liability for businesses in qualifying sectors — including manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, processing, telecommunications, broadcasting, tourism and biomedical manufacturing.
Credit amounts are tied to each county's economic tier, with an additional $500 per job Joint Development Authority credit available in every member county:
| County | Tier | Credit per job | Minimum new jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattooga | Tier 1 | $4,000 | 2 |
| Catoosa | Tier 3 | $1,750 | 15 |
| Dade | Tier 3 | $1,750 | 15 |
| Walker | Tier 3 | $2,250 | 15 |
Unused job tax credits may be applied against payroll withholding, extending their value to growing companies.
Freeport (inventory) tax exemptions
Most unincorporated areas and municipalities across the region provide 100% Freeport exemptions on qualifying business inventory — including manufacturer raw materials, finished goods held by the original manufacturer, and distributor or wholesaler inventory destined for shipment out of state.
Additional programs
- Tax abatements on qualifying real and personal property for new and expanding companies
- Inventory tax exemption — Georgia's state inventory tax is just 0.10 mills
- Quick Start employee training — fully customized workforce training at no cost
- Port activity credits — additional job-tax-credit value for companies increasing traffic through Georgia's ports
For a project-specific incentive estimate, contact the Authority or email info@northwestgeorgia.us.