In addition to assisting companies in obtaining low-interest, long-term, fixed-rate loans offered through the RMDZ program, Hesperia RMDZ staff can assist companies through a wide variety of incentives.

On Aug. 19, 2009, the City of Hesperia received conditional designation for the Hesperia Enterprise Zone (EZ). Hesperia EZ benefits and program administration will be available to new and existing businesses seeking significant state tax benefits. These benefits include hiring credits, sales or use tax credit, business expense deduction, net operating loss, net interest deduction, employee wage credits, and state contracts preference.

Hesperia RMDZ staff works closely with the Hesperia Community Redevelopment Agency to offer substantial incentives to businesses. These include:

• Fee Gauged Incentive (FGI)--offering qualified projects financial assistance that may be used to reduce development fees;
• Waiver of loan city/agency loan origination fees;
• Targeted gap financing through tax allocation bonds;
• Green-bate©--a rebate equal to the amount of the cost to incorporate green technology into a new or rehabilitated facility design, up to and including LEED certification;
• Franchise Founders Program©--benefits include training reimbursement, reimbursement of initial franchise fees, permit reimbursement; and
• Brokers’ Incentives Program©--up to $50,000 per eligible transaction in matching real estate commissions encourage real estate professionals to consider Hesperia first when presenting site or building opportunities to industrial, retail and commercial clients.

The Hesperia RMDZ offers other innovative incentives to businesses, which consist of:

• Pre-development roundtables;
• Referrals to workforce, training, and employment agencies to facilitate hiring;
• Orchestrate tours of available sites/buildings;
• Free small business counseling provided by the Inland Empire Economic Partnership (IEEP) Small Business Development Center;
• Direct lending and/or coordination with other funding sources (including private sector banks);
• Coordination with ports, foreign trade zones, railroads, and utility companies;
• Section 108 Revolving Loan Funds for gap financing; and
• Co-op advertising.

Priority materials targeted within the Hesperia Zone include plastics, glass, wood, organics and yard wastes, textiles, papers, metals, tires, and inert solids. The Advance Disposal Materials Recovery Facility is located in the Zone and is the exclusive curbside waste collection company for the city. The goal of this RMDZ is to attract businesses that can process these materials and other wastes generated through its local business base within this Zone.

The city of Hesperia is bisected by U.S. Highway 395 and Interstate 15 just north of the Cajon Pass Summit. Boasting approximately 75 square miles within its city limits, the Hesperia RMDZ is strategically located on major transportation corridors connecting Los Angeles to the rest of the United States. U.S. Highway 395 provides for direct north-south access allowing for the Hesperia Zone to provide supply lines to other statewide RMDZs, including the Los Angeles Basin, Port of Long Beach, and interim BNSF rail service in San Bernardino. Conversely, Interstate 15 provides access south to San Diego and east to the rest of the nation.

In the heart of Hesperia’s industrial area, located on the eastern side of the city, is the location for the future G Avenue Industrial Rail Lead Track Project. This project, funded in part by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration, is expected to stimulate direct rail service to approximately 210 acres of industrially-zoned Enterprise Zone property, nearly half of which is owned by the Hesperia Community Redevelopment Agency (HCRA). When coupled with HCRA financial assistance programs, it becomes evident that Hesperia boasts excellent opportunities for business attraction and expansion.