Economic Incentives
The City of Newton partners with Jasper County and other regional and state organizations to provide a competitive mix of incentives used to attract and grow businesses and industries.
TIF District Incentives
The Newton TIF District was created in 2008 (expires in 2031 if not extended). The TIF District also includes two Industrial Park Conservation (IPC) Areas located on the west (48 acres) and south (52 acres) parts of the community. TIF funds can be used to assist with land assembly and site preparation, which includes the acquisition of land, demolition of structures, and ground-level site preparation (parking lots and other concrete or asphalt barriers, and clearing and grading of land) in order to induce private investment. The TIF Plan also allows the City to make necessary public utility improvements to serve the needs of and retain existing users and to induce private investment into the area. The City can assist in the private renovation of existing buildings, including façade improvements. TIF funds can also be used to cover the cost of job training and retraining projects implemented by the businesses located within the TIF District or to cover interest costs incurred by a redeveloper related to the construction, renovation, or rehabilitation of a redevelopment project as long as the project meets certain criteria.
Excluding commercial new construction, TIF funds are granted at a rate of 50% of the total project cost up to $5,000 or 15% of the total project cost, whichever is greater. All projects are subject to the Newton City Council’s discretion. Larger projects will be reimbursed yearly by the amount paid under the TIF portion of your tax bill, corresponding to the increase in assessed valuation attributable to the improvements on the property, as long as receipts produced provide TIF eligible expenses. TIF Applications can be obtained at Newton City Hall or print one from the link below. If you have any questions, contact Melissa Brooks at 618-783-8452 or Maggie McDonald at 618-783-8451. Please return all TIF Applications to Newton City Hall.
Enterprise Zone Incentives
On September 18, 2024, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity approved the application and certified the Ordinances that now provide boundary expansion by adding additional property, deletion of property and alteration to the local incentives on behalf of the Enterprise Zone. The territory expansion now encompasses all of Newton city limits, with additional expansion in Sainte Marie and parts of Jasper County.
The purpose of the Enterprise Zone Program is to stimulate economic growth and revitalize blighted, economically distressed areas.
The new incentives now allow sales tax exemption on allowable building materials for new residential construction and remodel projects over $10,000, as well as property tax abatement. The tax abatement shall be at the rate of 100% of the taxes corresponding to the increase in assessed valuation attributable to the improvements on the property for a period of five (5) years beginning with the calendar year in which the improvements are fully assessed. The tax abatement shall apply to only remodeling, rehabilitation, or new construction of a qualified commercial, industrial or manufacturing project with a total cost exceeding $10,000.00 and any new construction of qualified residential projects.
The Building Material Exemption Certificate waives all sales tax for permanent structured materials bought within the state of Illinois. The water connection fee that is hereby waived refers to the material (which may include but not limited to, piping, fittings, the meter, backfill material, and/or boring under roads) required for installing the water service from the main to the meter on the premises in the manner prescribed by the City. The connection to the sewerage main shall be a Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) refundable deposit, refundable upon inspection of completed project of the sewer connection. All building permit fees will also be waived.
Building Material Exemption Certificate Applications and Building Permit Applications can be obtained at Newton City Hall or printed below. Please return all Applications to Maggie McDonald at Newton City Hall. Collect Tax Abatement Applications from Newton City Hall.
Building Material Exemption Certificate Application for COMMERCIAL Projects
Building Material Exemption Certificate Application for RESIDENTIAL Projects
Building Permit Application (New Construction)
Building Permit Application short
Any questions please contact Maggie McDonald at 618-783-8451 and [email protected] or Mindy Hartke, Jasper County Economic Development, Inc., at 618-783-9405 and [email protected].
Commercial/Industrial Electric Rate Incentive
The City of Newton offers a discounted electric rate equal to what the City pays their electric supplier for power used to new businesses that create at least ten jobs and retain those jobs for at least five years. This results in a cost savings initially of approximately 20 to 25 percent for the first five years and a graduating rate for the sixth year. The business will begin paying the normal commercial rates beginning seven years after locating to Newton. Click here for more information or contact City Hall at (618) 783-8451.
Financing Assistance
Many financing options are available to expanding and new businesses. The City of Newton has a Revolving Loan Fund that is often used by local businesses. South Central Illinois Regional Planning and Development Commission (SCIRPDC) has several programs including: Rural Business Initiative(RBI) Loans, Title IX Revolving Loans, and Commission Section 504 Certified Development Company Loans and Bank Loan Guarantees (SBA 7{a} and Rural Development Loans). More information can be found at SCIRPDC’s website.
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has several grant, loan, tax credit and job training programs available. More information can be found at www.illinois.gov/dceo.
The USDA Rural Development offers several different grant and loan programs for businesses to utilize. More information can be sought on their website.
Local Zoning & Permitting
The zoning plan helps to guide the growth and development in the community and assures an investor that there are proper guidelines in each area. The building permit process is streamlined to provide a quick response with goals to encourage safe structures. The Zoning Code, Map, and Applications can be found below.
Building Permit Application – New Construction
Sign Installation Permit Application
Area/Bulk Variance Permit Application
Special Use Permit Application
Zoning Amendment Permit Application
