BUSINESS INCENTIVES & RESOURCES
Make your next investment go further in Dearborn County, Indiana
Expanding a facility? Buying equipment? Training your workforce? Adding jobs? One Dearborn helps existing employers navigate the local, state and federal tools that can reduce project costs and support long-term growth in Dearborn County.
Start With A Conversation
There is no one-size-fits-all incentive package.
Assistance is typically tied to the specifics of your project: capital investment, job creation or retention, wages, workforce training, location, infrastructure needs and timing. One Dearborn can help identify the programs worth pursuing and connect your company directly with the right local governments, state agencies, workforce partners, utilities and financing resources.
Planning an investment? Contact One Dearborn before work begins.
Many incentive programs require approval or an agreement before equipment is ordered, construction starts, employees are hired or other commitments are made. Early coordination helps preserve the widest range of options.
The Process
Resource Guide
Tools that may support your project
Use these categories as a starting point. Eligibility, availability and award levels vary by project and program.
Property Tax Abatement
Local communities may phase in property taxes on qualifying new real property improvements and eligible business personal property investments.
Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
TIF may help eligible projects with public infrastructure or other economic development costs when a project is located within an established allocation area.
Indiana Tax Credits & Grants
Indiana offers project-based programs supporting job creation, capital investment, redevelopment, innovation and employee training.
Workforce & Training
Employer training reimbursements, apprenticeship support, recruiting assistance and other workforce services can help build and retain talent.
Loans & Financing
SBA-backed financing, local or regional revolving loan programs and other gap-financing tools may help fund real estate, equipment and expansion costs.
Opportunity Zone & New Markets Tax Credits
Federal place-based investment tools may provide tax advantages or financing benefits for qualifying projects in eligible census tracts and communities.
Utility Incentives
Electric and gas providers may offer economic development rates, energy-efficiency incentives or project support based on load, investment and service territory.
Infrastructure Support
Road, water, sewer, broadband and site-readiness needs may be eligible for local, state or federal participation depending on the project and funding source.
Redevelopment & Building Adaptive Reuse
Downtown, brownfield, vacant-building and redevelopment projects may qualify for specialized tax credits, grants or locally supported redevelopment tools.
Learn More
Common programs for growing employers
Property Tax Abatement
Local units of government can consider tax abatement for qualifying new investment in real property improvements and eligible business personal property. The benefit is generally phased over a set period and requires a formal local approval process. One Dearborn can help determine the applicable jurisdiction and guide your company through the process.
Tax Increment Finance (TIF)
TIF captures qualifying incremental property tax revenue within designated allocation areas and can be used for eligible economic development purposes, often including public infrastructure connected to a project. Availability depends heavily on project location, projected assessed value and the priorities of the applicable redevelopment commission.
IEDC - EDGE, HBI, SEF, Redevelopment Tax Credits, and Small Town Opportunity Initiative
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation maintains multiple performance-based programs. Examples include the EDGE Payroll Tax Credit for qualifying job creation, the Hoosier Business Investment Tax Credit for eligible capital investment, the Skills Enhancement Fund for employee training tied to investment, and the Redevelopment Tax Credit for certain qualifying redevelopment projects.
Explore IEDC programs at iedc.in.gov.
Workforce Training - Power Up Indiana & Employer Training Grant
Indiana workforce programs can reimburse qualifying employer training expenses. Current programs include Power Up Indiana, which supports upskilling and wage growth for existing workers, and the Employer Training Grant, which supports training, hiring and retention in priority sectors. One Dearborn can connect employers with the Southeast Indiana workforce system.
Explore Indiana DWD Business Services at www.in.gov/dwd.
SBA Financing
SBA-backed loan programs can support many small-business expansion needs. The 7(a) program can finance a broad range of eligible business purposes, while the 504 program is commonly used for major fixed assets such as owner-occupied real estate and equipment. Participating lenders and certified development companies determine financing structure and underwriting.
Explore SBA loan programs at www.sba.gov/loans.
Opportunity Zones & New Markets Tax Credits
Certain projects in eligible census tracts may benefit from federal place-based investment programs. Opportunity Zone rules can provide tax benefits to qualifying investment structures and we have an OZ census tract in Aurora, Indiana. New Markets Tax Credits can support certain investments in eligible low-income communities. These tools generally require specialized legal, tax and financing expertise.
Utility & Energy Programs
Depending on your service territory and energy profile, utilities may offer economic development riders, energy-efficiency incentives, engineering assistance or infrastructure support. One Dearborn can coordinate introductions to the appropriate electric, natural gas, water and wastewater providers early in project planning.
Regulatory Affairs & Permitting Expedition
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation’s Regulatory Affairs Division helps businesses navigate the permitting and approval process for new and expanding operations. The team connects companies and local economic development partners with the appropriate regulatory agencies to help address requirements and keep projects moving forward timely.