Industrial Revenue
Bonds (IRB)
Industrial
revenue bonds (IRBs) can be issued
for the purpose of financing the
costs
of projects, which must meet certain requirements.
The term "project" may include an existing
industrial or manufacturing plant, a research and development
plant, an agricultural processing or storage facility,
a warehousing or distribution facility, a headquarters
facility, a tourism facility, an educational facility,
a commercial project in an enterprise zone, a health
care facility, and some non-profit uses. The minimum
amount for an IRB is $2 million and cannot exceed $10
million in most cases. The advantage of IRBs is that
they can be for a longer term and at a lower interest
rate, usually 1% below prime. The interest on the bonds
has preferable income tax treatment by the IRS and
the savings are passed along to the user. The program
is administered by the Industrial Development Authority
(IDA), located at the Metro Orlando Economic Development
Commission. There is a $1,500 non-refundable application
fee. The IDA will review the application and assist
in the review and approval of the bond resolution.
After final approval of the issue by the bond authority,
it must be approved by the local government entity
in which the project is located (usually on consent
agenda).
Enterprise Bond
Program
The state
provides financial assistance through
the Enterprise Bond Program. The
program offers tax-exempt, low interest
bond financing to qualified manufacturing
and 501(c) 3 non-profit organizations.
This program was designed to improve
low cost capital availability to
Florida’s growing and expanding
businesses, including minorities
and rural communities, to allow them
to be more competitive in the global
and domestic market place. Loan amounts
range between $500,000 and $2,000,000.
For more information regarding this
program, contact the Florida Development
Finance Corporation at (407) 316-4692.
Florida Export
Finance Corporation
Florida Export
Finance Corporation provides financing
assistance to small and medium sized
businesses operating in Florida.
Information, technical and consulting
assistances is also provided. Visit their
website or phone (305) 870-5027.
Export-Import
Bank of the United States
The Export-Import
Bank of the United States is an independent
U.S. Government agency that helps
finance the overseas sales of U.S.
goods and services. EX-IM Bank's
mission is to create jobs through
exports. Visit their
website or phone (305) 526-7436.
Florida First
Capital Finance Corporation
Florida First
Capital Finance Corporation (FFCFC)
has been established to assist companies
in the packaging of SBA 504, SBA
7A, Recycling Loans and Energy Loans.
The Seminole County Department of
Economic Development facilitates
meetings with FFCFC and the company.
The SBA 504 loan is for the acquisition,
construction of owner-occupied commercial
real estate or for the purchase of
equipment. The benefits include fixed-rate
financing, lower down payment, long-term
maturities, reduced monthly payments,
and conservation of capital. Loan
size can vary from $250,000 to $10,000,000.
For more information visit
their website.