What is a Tax-Free Renaissance Zone?

Gogebic County's Tax-Free Renaissance Zones are some of the Michigan's 11 regions designated as virtually Tax-Free for any business or resident presently in, or moving to a zone.

The zones are designed to provide selected communities with the most powerful market based incentive... NO TAXES... to spur new jobs and investment.

Renaissance Zones in Gogebic County, include Ironwood Township near the Gogebic County Airport, in Wakefield Township just off Highway M-28 and in Marenisco, and Bessemer located 4 miles east of Ironwood.

Just how 'Tax-Free' are Tax-Free Renaissance Zones?

By law, Renaissance Zones waive the following local and state taxes:

1. Michigan Single Business Tax
2. Michigan Personal Income Tax
3. Michigan's 6 mill State Education Tax
4. Local Personal Property Tax
5. Local Real Property Tax
6. Local Income Tax
7. Utility User's Tax

In Gogebic County, taxes are waived for 12 years. The final three years of the zone will begin a phase-in of taxation:

• Year 13 - businesses will pay 25% of taxes
• Year 14 - businesses will pay 50% of taxes
• Year 15 - businesses will pay 75% of taxes
• Year 16* - businesses will pay 100% of taxes

When does the clock start on how long a zone lasts?

All Tax-Free Renaissance Zones began on Jan. 1, 1997.

A business locating into Gogebic County receives the benefit for as long as the zone designation lasts.

If a business were to move into one of Gogebic County's zones in the year 2002, it would have nine years of Tax-Free status remaining.

Tax-Free? What's the Catch?

No catch. Gogebic County is up front about which taxes are waived, where your business needs to locate, and now long the benefit will last.

The State of Michigan understands they are offering businesses a great deal. Gogebic County want your business to locate with us, and we are willing to make it worth your while to relocate.

Michigan's philosophy is: Cutting taxes and keeping them low creates more jobs and more business for the state.

That is why in these targeted areas we are eliminating taxes to spur growth and investments.