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Board approves enterprise zone ordinance changes, adds parcels and reduces some tax rebates
Summary
The Prince George County Board of Supervisors voted to adopt a local enterprise zone ordinance and amendments that add two parcels to the zone and reduce certain incentives (machinery-and-tools rebate cut from 100% to 50%), aiming to attract investment while returning revenue to the county.
Prince George County supervisors voted unanimously Dec. 16 to adopt an enterprise zone ordinance and a resolution amending the county's enterprise zone area and incentives, a move county staff said is intended to spur commercial and industrial development while restoring some tax revenue.
Economic development presenter Mr. Jabari told the board the county currently has roughly 3,754 acres in two noncontiguous enterprise zone areas and is proposing to add about 70 acres across two new parcels: a former elementary school site (about 16 acres) and a Massingburg parcel (~54 acres). The ordinance formalizes local administration and revises incentives, including reducing the machinery-and-tools tax rebate from 100% to 50% for five years and replacing a rezoning fee waiver with accelerated permitting. "This will help encourage future development and diversify our tax base," Mr. Jabari said during the hearing.
During the public-input portion, Vanessa, a resident who identified only by her first name, asked whether homeowners should expect higher property taxes or whether the changes would worsen well problems in rural areas. Mr. Jabari and the chair responded that the enterprise zone generally targets areas with public utilities and that the incentive changes are intended to produce some revenue to support county services rather than shift costs to homeowners. "With this ordinance ... we would at least receive 50% of that machinery-and-tools tax where before we were getting nothing," the chair said in reply.
Board members asked implementation questions and confirmed the adopted package will proceed to the county's Economic Development Authority and, if approved there, be submitted to the state for final authorization. The board's vote was recorded by roll call and carried unanimously among the members present.
Next steps noted by staff include formal submission to the state and an intended effective date retroactive to Jan. 1, 2026 if state approval follows the county submittal schedule.
