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Business Incentives

Cumming and Forsyth County operates under a highly competitive tax and incentive structure. Forsyth County can boast the lowest millage rate in the metro Atlanta area and the City of Cumming does not access any additional property tax. This competitive advantage continues to attract business and industry to the community, evident in the fact that over 20 national and international companies have located their corporate headquarters in Cumming and Forsyth County.

Cumming and Forsyth County is allowed, under powers granted by the State of Georgia, to afford new and expanding business and industry certain taxation incentives through the use of local development authorities. The community has three such authorities at its disposal in the Cumming Downtown Development Authority, the Development Authority of Forsyth County and the Lanier Joint Development Authority.

By partnering with the Development Authority of Forsyth County, the City, County and Chamber of Commerce have a marketing tool with which to attract business and industry. The Development Authority of Forsyth County is a seven member Statutory Authority operating under the regulatory control of the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners. By utilizing the State of Georgia’s Industrial Revenue Bond process, the Authority can partner with new business and industry to make locating to Cumming and Forsyth County even more affordable.

Industrial Revenue Bonds can be administered in the form of taxable and tax-free financing. Tax-free bond financing up to $10 million is currently available under federal tax laws with an additional $10 million in options to the company totaling $20 million. Interest rates are usually lower than other sources. Taxable bonds are a more flexible alternative and are available. Variable and fixed rates are offered up to 20-year terms, but a maximum of 15-year terms are preferred in most cases. Local development authorities do not operate in place of a banking institution and a company must still seek out lending partners.

The community has yet another development tool at its disposal and that is the Lanier Joint Development Authority. Regional partnerships are rewarded in the State of Georgia in the form of additional job tax credits for companies hiring new employees. Forsyth County’s participation with neighboring Hall County in the Lanier Joint Development Authority raises the per job tax credits afforded to expanding and newly located companies to $1,250. This program is administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

Other programs administered by the State of Georgia in partnership with Cumming and Forsyth County include:

  • Investment Tax Credits
  • Optional Investment Tax Credits
  • Headquarters Tax Credit
  • Research & Development Tax Credit
  • Retraining Tax Credit
  • Child Care Tax Credit
  • Small Business [fast growth] Tax Credits

Click here for more additional incentive information:

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Fast Facts

  • Forsyth County has one of the lowest millage rates in the metro area (currently 22.528 mills per every $1000 of assessed value).
  • The City of Cumming does not access any additional property tax.
  • $1,250 in per job tax credits are available to new and expanding industries.
  • Industrial Revenue Bonds available through Development Authority of Forsyth County.
  • Competitive Incentive program in effect through local Development Authority.
  • 100% Freeport tax exemption on company inventory in three categories.
  • Additional tax credits in partnership with the State of Georgia for certain industries.

Georgia Ranks in Top 10 Pro-Business States for Five Years Running! Click here for latest report.