The Advantages of Doing Business in the Oskaloosa and Mahaska County Area
The Oskaloosa and Mahaska County area of Iowa has many assets to offer quality companies who want productive workers, a friendly business climate and a community willing to help offset startup and relocation costs. Below is a synopsis of some key factors which help make Iowa and the Oskaloosa area such a desirable and profitable site location. The Oskaloosa Area Chamber and Development Group can provide custom research services when very specific needs are identified.
The City of Oskaloosa and Mahaska County are both active participants in the economic development process. Both the City Council and the County Board of Supervisors are anxious to hear proposals from new industries and are receptive to assisting firm with such things as road improvements and water and sewer improvements. Oskaloosa has a professional community developer on staff that has considerable experience in speedily obtaining development permits and grants. Companies can be assured that there will be no development impact fees associated with a new facility in the county.
Taking Care of Business
Osky on the Move is a subcommittee of Main Street & Oskaloosa Area Chamber & Development Group created to research and provide information for the purpose of benefiting existing, start-up, and new businesses. Osky on the Move believes that by knowing what type of individuals Oskaloosa consists of and what they enjoy doing, it will help business owners increase sales and expand volume. Click here for the most recent analysis of economic regional data.
Note the Difference
For monthly updates on statistics concerning local labor, commodity prices, housing, hotel/motel/sales tax figures, crime rate, cost of living, per capita income, births, etc. click the icon.
Corporate Income Taxes
Corporate tax is imposed on the net income received or earned during the income year after adjustment by subtracting 50 percent of federal income taxes.
Most importantly taxable net income is determined by a single factor formula: State income tax is imposed only on the portion of net income reasonably attributable to the trade or business conducted within the state. Iowa taxes only that portion of total sales that were generated within the state.
Property Taxes
The property tax rate in the Oskaloosa area is currently $14.97533 per $1,000 assessed valuation. Oskaloosa and Mahaska County can allow a partial exemption of the actual value added by a project for a period of ten years through our industrial tax abatement program.
The City of Oskaloosa also allows a partial exemption of property taxes for commercial projects. The percentage of taxes exempted each year under the commercial tax abatement program is as follows:
- Year 1: 70%
- Year 2: 50%
- Year 3: 30%
Finally, the City of Oskaloosa also offers partial exemption of property taxes for residential projects. The percentage of taxes exempted each year under the residential tax abatement program is as follows:
- Year 1: 80%
- Year 2: 65%
- Year 3: 50%
- Year 4: 35%
- Year 5: 25%
Other Tax Considerations
Oskaloosa
Oskaloosa does have a 1-cent local option sales tax.
For the most recent and up to date information on state tax credits, state of Iowa incentives, state incentive programs and job training programs please go to Iowa Life Changing. If further assistance is needed, please contact Miranda Johnson, Director of M.C.A.R.D. by email or phone at 641 673 6385.
Local Incentives
Oskaloosa Area Chamber & Development Group (OACDG) Direct Investment Fund (DIF)
Providing direct cash incentives to new industries and businesses that locate in Mahaska County.
Creation of quality employment opportunities for area residents is a prime consideration for these funds.
Providing matching funds for any state program used in a financial package. OACDG does not make outright grants.
Mahaska County Revolving Loan Fund
Low-interest loan fund assisting industries and businesses that desire to locate, expand, or diversify their business in Mahaska County.
Assists new projects focusing on job creation and preservation and bring a positive change to the local economy and community.
Special consideration given to applications for a loan as a manufacturer or industrial type of business.
Loan amount not to exceed the funds on hand and can not fund more than 20% of the final projects. Loan amount limited to no more than $15,000 per job created or retained.
Rules regarding the RLF are at http://www.teammahaska.org/tminfo/development.html
Regional Economic Development Investments, INC. (REDI) Revolving Loan Fund (RLF)
Supports business activities for which credit is not otherwise available. “Gap financing” used for business startup, expansion, or retention of jobs.
3 to 5 year loan for working capital loans, 5 to 7 years for fixed asset loans.
Fixed, simple interest rates, ranging from 4% to 4 points below the prime lending rate.
Maximum $5,000 for each job created or retained, up to a maximum of $125,000 requiring $2 from other sources for every $1 from REDI funds.
Eligible activities include expansion or modernization of facilities, purchase of machinery, equipment, fixtures, and leasehold improvements, financing increased receivables and augmenting working capital, construction of new commercial buildings, purchasing existing land and/or buildings.
Oskaloosa's gas and electric utility is Mid-American Energy Company, the state's largest, investor-owned utility. Mid-American has a very experienced, professional economic development staff who will assist a company in putting together a very competitive natural gas and electric utility package. Contact information is listed below:
Deb Calvert, Economic Development Consultant
4299 NW Urbandale Drive
Urbandale, IA 50322-7298
Office: 515-281-2595
Cell: 515-979-1037
click to reveal@midamerican.com
Summary
Oskaloosa is a thriving community with a very positive business climate. Its' highway system and proximity to Des Moines provide easy access to raw materials and major markets. The State of Iowa has created numerous incentive programs which help reduce startup costs. The single factor income tax formula and deductibility of 50 percent of federal income tax keeps corporate tax liability very low. The Oskaloosa Chamber and Development Group have the resources to offer additional incentives whether a company needs sites, financing of other forms of assistance.
The affordability of labor in the area and the labor's work ethic and low turnover will also help boost company profitability. A company's workforce will benefit from and excellent school system, two four-year colleges and an abundance of cultural and recreational opportunities.
A good way to learn more about the Oskaloosa area is to visit with the leaders of some of its local firms. Any one of the members of the OACDG's Economic Development Committee, visitation team or contact team can provide the kind of personal advice and encouragement to know why Oskaloosa, Iowa, is the right place for business. The following contact information is listed below.
Mahaska Community Development Group
Miranda Johnson Director
Mahaska Community Development Group and Director of Mahaska County Agricultural and Rural Development Program
2074 Old Hwy 163
Oskaloosa, IA 52577
Office: 641-673-6385
Cell: 641-295-3776
(click to reveal)@mahaskacounty.org
Oskaloosa Area Chamber & Development Group
Jon Sullivan, Director
OACDG and Main Street
124 North Market Street
Oskaloosa, IA 52577
Office: 641-672-2591
(click to reveal)@oacdg.org