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Business Resources

Welcome to the City of Meridian's Economic Development Division's "Business Resource" page. Here, you'll discover valuable resources and information designed to empower and support businesses in our community. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a small business owner, or an established enterprise, we are here to provide you with the tools and guidance you need to thrive. Explore our resources and take the next steps toward your business success in Meridian.  

Meridian Community Partnerships

Meridian is “built for business”, and we want to see your business thrive and grow. We offer a wealth of business resources and expertise right here in the Treasure Valley. Our Economic Development Division has partnered with the following organizations to provide robust support for your business endeavors: 

From the Small Business Administration's (SBA) services to the professional expertise and business advice offered by the Treasure Valley chapter of SCORE, to collaborative organizations such as Idaho's Veterans Chamber and the Idaho Black Community Alliance are support groups and resources to help you on your business journey. 

Click each of the tabs below to learn more about business resources in Meridian.

Small Business Administration (SBA)  

The Federal Small Business Administration (SBA) is a United States government agency tasked with providing support and resources to small businesses and entrepreneurs. The SBA plays a crucial role in supporting the growth and success of Idaho’s small businesses, which are fundamental to Meridian’s economic strength and resilience. 

The Small Business Administration is hosting office hours every Friday at Meridian Library District unbound in Downtown Meridian from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. 

The SBA can assist you with:  

  • Health and safety  
  • Local business counseling  
  • Access to Capital 
  • Business Counseling and Education 
  • Government Contracting Support 
  • Disaster Assistance 
  • Advocacy 
  • Surety Bonds 
  • Capital Investment Programs 
  • International Trade Assistance 
  • Federal Regulatory Compliance Assistance 

Click here to visit the SBA Boise District Website.

Click here to access SBA Boise District events calendar 

Idaho Black Community Alliance

The Idaho Black Community Alliance (BCA) is a statewide 501c3 non-profit dedicated to helping the Black Community with technical assistance for their businesses. Based in Boise, the Idaho BCA can be a resource to help your business grow to the next level. In addition, the BCA hosts a statewide Community Directory of Black-owned businesses. 

The Idaho BCA also offers connections to topic-specific courses and one-on-one advising to help grow your business to the next level. 

Idaho Black Community Alliance Services Include:  

  • Business Counseling  
  • Small Business Education  
  • Connections to Resources  
  • Topic-specific courses  
  • Community Networking Events  
  • Business Directory  
  • Marketing Landing Page  

Click here to visit the Idaho BCA website

Click here to visit the Idaho BCA events calendar

 

Idaho Veterans Chamber of Commerce  

The Idaho Veterans Chamber of Commerce was founded in 2020 as a statewide 501c3 non-profit dedicated to bridge the gaps between the Idaho and Military Communities to create a space for collaboration, connection, and unity. Based in Boise, the Veterans Chamber of Commerce can be a resource to help your business grow to the next level. In addition, the Veterans Chamber of Commerce hosts a statewide Veteran & Spouse Business Directory to help promote veteran and veteran-spouse owned businesses.  

Even if you are not connected to the military, the Idaho Veterans Chamber of Commerce welcomes and supports membership for all people, communities, agencies, organizations, and non-profits.  

Idaho Veterans Chamber of Commerce Services:  

Entrepreneurship : Connections to a Personal Mentor , Loans,  Grants, Funding  

Education: Education Benefits Assistance, Vocational Readiness, Scholarships  

Housing: Home Repairs, Realtor Services  

Workforce and Employer Network: Internship, Apprenticeships, Job Board Access, Idaho Businesses looking to employ the military community.  

Click here to visit the Idaho Veterans Chamber website

Click here to visit the Idaho Veterans Chamber events page

SCORE Treasure Valley

The Treasure Valley chapter of SCORE (the Service Corps of Retired Executives) was established to provide expertise and advice for businesses, no matter what size they are. The Treasure Valley chapter provides Idaho-specific vice for Meridian’s business community. SCORE Treasure Valley hosts in person and online trainings and events. In addition, SCORE meets weekly in Meridian at the Downtown UnBound Library (722 E 2nd St, Meridian, ID 83642) from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. every Wednesday.

About SCORE 

SCORE is committed to helping entrepreneurs succeed in their small business endeavors. SCORE offers free business advice and mentoring, low or no-cost business training, and also has free business templates and resources available.   

SCORE mentors can assist you with: 

  • Early-stage entrepreneurs, who are considering starting a business but need help defining their ideas, building their plan, and obtaining financing.  
  • Start-up businesses, who are seeking to establish their business and manage their finances.  
  • Established businesses, who are seeking to grow their business and increase their revenue or customers.  
  • Transitioning businesses who are planning to close, sell, or otherwise transition out of owning the business.  

Click here to visit the SCORE Treasure Valley website

Click here to visit the SCORE Treasure Valley events page

Meridian Library District unBound   

The Meridian Library District unBound is a unique initiative by the Meridian Library District in Meridian, Idaho. UnBound is a creative and collaborative space designed to foster innovation, learning, and community engagement. unBound provides specialized and unique services to local business and non-profit organizations such as providing services to early-stage entrepreneurs and startups. Some of the available services available at unbound are business and tech help, fabrication equipment, 3D printing, and workshop opportunities. 

Meridian Library District unbound Machines & Services: 

  • 3D Printers (Ultimaker 2+, 3, S5 & Formlab Resin Printer) 
  • CNC Machine 
  • CriCut Craft Cutter 
  • Laser Cutter and Engraver (small & large) 
  • Vacuum Former 
  • Design Resources (TinkerCAD, Fusion 360, Onshape, Thingiverse) 
  • Meeting Rooms 
  • Sound Studio 
  • Print, Copy, Scan, Fax 
  • Computers (with browsers and Microsoft Office) 
  • Business Resources 
  • Workshops 
  • Networking Opportunities 

Click here to visit the Meridian Library unBound resource page

Click here to visit the Meridian Library unBound events calendar

Local, State & Federal Incentives and Resources

Working with the City of Meridian can provide access to local, state and federal incentives for qualifying businesses.

State & Local Economic Development Incentives

We believe that Idaho is a compelling place to do business in. The State has a variety of incentive programs designed to assist businesses in start-up, expansion, and productivity activities. Administered by the State Department of Commerce, the following programs may be able to help your business.

Idaho Business Advantage

Businesses that invest at least $500,000 in new facilities and create at least 10 new jobs paying $40,000 annually plus benefits, with additional jobs paying an average of $15.50 per hour during project period, may qualify for the following:

  • An enhanced investment tax credit of 3.75% up to $750,000 or 62.5% of corporate income tax liability in any one year.
  • A new jobs tax credit from $1,500-$3,000 for new jobs paying $24.04 per hour or more.
  • A 2.5% real property improvement corporate income tax credit up to $125,000 in any one year along with a 25% rebate on sales tax paid on construction materials for the new facilities.
  • Upon request of the business, the local county commissioners may also authorize a partial or full property tax exemption for up to 5 years.

3% Investment Tax Credit

Credit against Idaho Corporate Income tax for qualifying new investment in tangible personal property (machinery & equipment) in Idaho. It can offset up to 50% of a company’s liability and may be carried forward 14 years.

Tax Reimbursement Incentive (TRI)

If your business is adding or bringing high paying jobs to Idaho, you may be eligible for the Idaho Tax Reimbursement Incentive. This post-performance incentive awards a maximum credit of 30% on income, payroll withholdings, and sales taxes for up to 15 years.

Capital Investment Property Tax Exemption

Businesses that invest at least $3 million in new manufacturing facilities may receive a partial or full property tax exemption for up to 5 years from local county commissioners.

100% Sales Tax Exemption

Production Sales Tax Exemption – Tax exemption on equipment and raw materials used directly in manufacturing, processing, mining, fabrication or logging operations; for clean rooms and semiconductor equipment manufacturing; and for equipment or material used in research activities.

Processing materials, substances, or commodities for use as fuel for the production of energy are also exempt.

Utility & Industrial Fuels Sales Tax Exemption

Tax exemption on utilities and industrial fuels such as power, water, natural gas and telephone.

Customized Recruiting & Workforce Training Services

Idaho Department of Labor offers employers recruitment services that include online jobs posting, applicant screening, hiring fairs, online skills testing of applicants and temporary office space.

Additionally, they offers the Workforce Development Training Fund (WDTF) which can reimburse businesses for employee training costs.

Workforce Development Training Fund (WDTF)

Up to $3,000/per employee, paid directly to company. Jobs must pay $12/hr or more with benefits, and the company must produce a product or service that is mainly marketed outside the region where the business is located.

Idaho Opportunity Fund

A grant program which allows the Director of Idaho Department of Commerce to direct funds to projects for infrastructure needs within the community. This $3 million fund will be used within the year to help “close” new projects.

Idaho Power New Construction & Major Renovations Program

Cash incentives designed to help cover a portion of the costs of designing and building energy-efficient features into a commercial or industrial construction project. New construction, major renovations, additions or expansions and change-of-space type are all eligible. Idaho Power is also committed to providing customers choices to support renewable energy projects and meet sustainability and renewable energy goals. In fact, Idaho Power set a goal to provide 100% clean energy by 2045.

Urban Renewal Agency

Urban Renewal is an economic development tool available in Idaho. The City of Meridian works with its Urban Renewal Agency, the Meridian Development Corporation, to identify, plan, and support private and public economic development efforts. Properties which are located within an urban renewal district may be able to utilize urban renewal funds to mitigate extraordinary impediments to development.  

Click to find out more about Meridian Urban Renewal Districts 

Opportunity Zones

Opportunity Zones are a bipartisan community development program established in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 to incentivize investments in low-income communities across the country. The Opportunity Zones program is based on the bipartisan Investing in Opportunity Act. Opportunity Zones represent a subset of census tracts with an individual poverty rate of at least 20 percent and a median family income no greater than 80 percent of the area median.

The program provides three forms of deferred capital gains taxes or tax breaks to incentivize patient capital equity investments in Opportunity Funds to seed new business investments, expand existing businesses, or fund real estate development in Opportunity Zones. Other than excluding a few “sin” businesses, investors are relatively unlimited in what they can finance. And the potential pot is huge – over $6 trillion dollars in unrealized capital gains could flow towards these communities from both individual investors and companies.

New Market Tax Credits

The New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program provides up to 15% - 20% cash grant funding for real estate projects, businesses and non-profits that make investments in distressed areas. Each year the US Treasury, through the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI) issues New Markets Tax Credits to Community Development Entities (CDEs) who in turn seek to invest these tax credits into the most impactful projects.  

The CDEs that receive NMTCs will then allocate those tax credits to projects that they believe will have the largest social impacts and that align with their investment goals. Again, the NMTC program addresses capital gaps by providing the incentive of a Federal tax credit equal to 15% to 20% total cost of a project. A viable project is generally between $7 and $20 million, and must be located within a distressed area. The City of Meridian is partnering with the Montana based MoFi to use NMTC to help fund operating business expansions and real estate redevelopment.

Click to Access the Meridian New Market Tax Credit Map

Community Development Block Grants

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is a flexible program that provides funding to address a wide range of unique community development needs. The City of Meridian receives CDBG funds annually from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The City has adopted a five (5) year consolidated plan that spans from 2017 to 2021, which focuses on 1) improving accessibility, 2) enhancing homeownership opportunities, and 3) providing social services to Meridian low- and moderate-income residents. All activities that are funded must meet one of these objectives.

Click to find out more about Meridian's CDBG program

Calendar Business-Events

Check out the events happening in the Meridian business community below. Click 'Submit Event' to add to the Business-Events Community Calendar.

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