Give Your Business an Edge

Local support and competitive incentives create a business-friendly environment in Indian River County, where companies benefit from a strategic location, highly skilled workforce, competitive operating costs, and a strong network of public and private sector partners. Here, commerce, culture, and coast come together, creating an exceptional place to invest, grow, and attract talent.

Guiding this momentum is Indian River County's recently adopted Treasured Tomorrow Strategic Action Plan, a forward-looking vision that supports targeted industry growth, workforce development, site readiness, infrastructure investment, and long-term economic prosperity while preserving the community's unique character.

Local Incentive Programs for Jobs and Training

Local Jobs Grant Program

The Indian River County Local Jobs Grant Program is a performance-based incentive administered by the Indian River County Economic Development Division. The program is designed to encourage investment and job creation by new and expanding targeted industry businesses. Companies that create and maintain at least five new full-time jobs may be eligible for cash grants based on wage levels and overall economic impact. The program provides enhanced incentives for higher-wage jobs and may award up to $1.5 million per project, subject to program requirements and approval by the Board of County Commissioners.

Eligible industries may include:

Advanced Manufacturing
Aviation & Aerospace
Information Technology
Life Sciences
Logistics & Distribution
Financial & Professional Services
Clean Energy
Emerging Technologies
Other targeted industries identified by FloridaCommerce and Indian River County

Workforce Training & Recruitment Assistance

CareerSource Research Coast provides workforce solutions to help businesses recruit, hire, and train employees. Available programs may include On-the-Job Training reimbursements, incumbent worker training assistance, customized recruitment support, and applicant screening services at no cost to employers.

County Commission Incentives and Tax Exemptions

Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption

Qualifying new and expanding businesses may be eligible for an Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption on certain real and tangible personal property improvements. Approved projects may receive partial property tax relief for up to ten years, based on factors such as job creation, wages, capital investment, and overall economic impact. Final approval is granted by the Board of County Commissioners. This program is administered by the Indian River County Economic Development Division.

Projects of Significant Impact

Catalytic projects that create significant economic benefits for Indian River County may be considered for specialized County support. Projects are evaluated on a case-by-case basis based on factors such as capital investment, job creation, wages, tax base impact, and alignment with community economic development goals.

Other Local Assistance and Incentives

Expedited Permitting Initiative – Indian River County is developing an expedited permitting initiative designed to accelerate review timelines for qualifying economic development and affordable housing projects. The proposed program is expected to be considered by the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners in Fall 2026 and is intended to help reduce development timelines, improve project certainty, and bring investment and housing opportunities online more quickly.

State and Federal Incentives

Florida's pro-business climate includes no personal state income tax, competitive corporate tax policies, workforce training incentives, manufacturing equipment sales tax exemptions, research and development tax credits, and other industry-specific programs administered through FloridaCommerce. Additional international trade and export assistance programs are available through SelectFlorida.

Federal incentives may also be available. Significant portions of western Indian River County are located within designated Opportunity Zones, providing potential tax advantages for qualified investments. Businesses involved in international trade may also benefit from the County's participation in Foreign Trade Zone #218, which can provide advantages related to duties, tariffs, and customs procedures.