Enterprise Zone

Enterprise Zone

An enterprise zone typically serves as a focal point for local development efforts. Tillamook County’s enterprise zone, known as the “String of Pearls” is one of 76 enterprise zones across Oregon—58 rural and 18 urban—currently creating better opportunities for business investment. 


The String of Pearls is sponsored by the City of Bay City, City of Garibaldi, City of Rockaway Beach, City of Tillamook, Tillamook County, Port of Garibaldi and the Port of Tillamook Bay.


Business Eligibility

Eligible businesses include manufacturers, processors, shippers and a variety of operations that serve other organizations, as well as call centers and headquarter-type facilities. Hotel/resort businesses are eligible, however not retail, nor construction, nor financial and certain other defined activities.

Qualified Property

A new building/structure, structural modifications or additions, or newly installed machinery and equipment may qualify for exemption but not land, previously used property value and miscellaneous personal items.


Criteria for Qualifying Projects

For the basic, three-year enterprise zone exemption period, the business needs to:

  • Make a minimum investment of $50,000;
  • Increase full time, permanent employment of the firm inside the enterprise zone by the greater of one new job or 10% (or less with special-case local sponsor waivers);
  • Generally have no concurrent job losses outside the zone boundary inside Oregon;
  • Maintain minimum employment level during the exemption period;
  • Enter into a first-source agreement with local job training providers such as the Oregon Employment Department; and
  • Satisfy any additional local conditions, which vary for each zone.


The Enterprise Zone Process

Before construction/installation activities begin on-site, the local zone manager must receive an application for authorization. Following the receipt of this application, a preauthorization conference take place. This preauthorization conference is a deliberate review of the application between the applicant and the local officials.


The Economic Development Council of Tillamook County serves as the Tillamook County Enterprise Zone manager. If you have questions about enterprise zone incentives or the possibility that your company/project may qualify for enterprise zone exemptions, please contact the EDC at 503-842-8222 x 2500.


Additional information on Oregon Enterprise Zones is available at http://www.oregon4biz.com/Oregon-Business/Tax-Incentives/Enterprise-Zones/.



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