JOBZ: Minnesota's Economic Development policy

Minnesota's Job Opportunity Building Zones (JOBZ) program is a signature piece of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's rural economic development efforts. 

According to the fact sheet, JOBZ are located trhoughout Minnesota, expect the seven-county Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. A qualified business located in a JOBZ signs a Business Subside Agreement (BSA) with the appropriate local government and enjoys substantive tax benefits.

For related policy issues, click here to listen the MPR audio story: JOBZ, one years old, is popular and still controversial (2004), and read two recent articles below:

• Fewer takers for program that uses tax breaks to expand business (04/13/2008)
• State's JOBZ at juncture (04/27/2008)