This resource guide has the templates and information you need to successfully complete the required fields in the Business Expansion Incentive Application.
Minimum Requirements/General Eligibility
The Business Expansion Incentive Program Guidelines provides an in-depth review of the program.
Category 1: Local Austin Businesses
- For companies with a registered and operation location within the City of Austin.
- For companies adding five or more paid internships, apprenticeships or full-time positions, paying at least the City's Living Wage.
Category 2: Employers Hiring Targeted Populations
- For companies creating one or more paid internships, apprenticeships or full-time positions, paying at least the City's Living Wage.
Category 3: Businesses Relocating to Austin
- For companies who do not currently have a significant presence within the City of Austin.
- For companies adding at least 75 full-time positions, paying at least the City's Living Wage.
What are the minimum requirements?
► Provide a ‘But-For’ statement describing the company’s need for the incentive in order to expand.
► Comply with all federal, state and local laws and authorities.
► Comply with the City of Austin’s MBE/WBE Procurement Program Rules.
► Comply with all City Code requirements, including environmental requirements.
► Pay all Austin-based employees the City’s Living Wage.
► Provide all new full-time employees company-sponsored health insurance benefits or facilitate access to health insurance coverage and extend those benefits to domestic partners of employees and their dependents.
► Implement anti-harassment and anti-discrimination practices.
► If the project includes capital expenditures for construction, all construction workers hired for work on the project will be provided: 1) Workers Compensation Insurance and OSHA 10 Training, 2) compliance with the City’s Prevailing Wage Program used on the City’s public works projects and 3) no less than the City’s Living Wage.
Additional Resources
Scoring Rubric:
- Businesses completing the Business Expansion Incentive Application should keep minimum requirements and community benefits in mind. This Scoring Rubric outlines the minimum requirements and community benefits the City of Austin is looking for in Business Expansion projects.
Definitions:
- This index of definitions clarifies terms found in the Chapter 380 Business Expansion Program Guidelines Document and the Application.
Non-Discrimination and Non-Retaliation Certificate:
- If your company does not have current written policies to support anti-harassment and anti-discrimination practices for business operations and work environment, you may download and sign this Non-Discrimination and Non-Retaliation Certificate Template to attach to your application.
Contingency Language:
- Benefits conferred through the Business Expansion Incentive Program must me requested AND approved before entering into project commitments unless existing commitments are contingent upon approval of an incentive package. Conditional language must be included in a lease or purchase of real property.
Living Wage:
- The City of Austin's Living Wage must be paid to Austin-based employees of the business receiving incentives, as well as all construction employees are paid no less than the City's Living Wage, per the City of Austin's Wage Compliance standards, including full time and contract employees.
OSHA 10/Worker's Compensation:
- If a business expansion project that is eligible for incentives includes money being spent on construction, all construction workers hired will be provided Workers Compensation Insurance and OSHA 10 Training. Information about the OSHA 10 (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) 10-Hour Completion Card can be found on the United States Department of Labor website, and available Workers compensation information.
- If a business expansion project that is eligible for incentives includes money being spent on construction,all construction work must comply with the City of Austin's Wage Compliance program and the City of Austin's Living Wage.
Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Ordinance:
- If a business expansion project that is eligible for incentives includes money being spent on construction and contractors will be needed to complete the work, the project must comply with the City of Austin's MBE/WBE Ordinance through the Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program and Construction. Information is also available through the Small and Minority Business Resources Department.
- Companies, in concert with the Economic Development Department, will be required to engage the Small and Minority Business Resources Department so it may:
- Participate in initial meetings with the company to review MBE/WBE requirements, including outreach program planning and a supplier diversity commitment
- Review a draft of the contract between the City and the company
- Attend meetings as they pertain to design and construction phasing
- Receive trade summaries for goal determination and the issuance of an availability list
- Attend pre-award meetings to give guideline requirements, review good faith effort processes, and respond to questions
- Review monthly expenditures to examine the list of awarded subs and good faith efforts if goals are not met
Austin Transportation Department Employer Strategies:
- The strategies outlined in the Austin Transportation Department Employer Strategies have been identified as new additions to the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan as an appendix, adopted by City Council on April 11, 2019. This document is to be used as a tool for businesses participating in the Chapter 380 Business Expansion Incentive Program to adopt and strengthen their Mobility Solutions.
Quality of Life Enhancements:
- The Early Matters Greater Austin Family-Friendly Workplace Toolkit provides suggested tips and tools in a variety of areas that employers may consider adopting to strengthen their Quality of Life Enhancements.
Small Business Administration:
- The Small Business Administration establishes guidelines based on NAICS code, employee count and revenue standards.
Imagine Austin Growth Concept Map:
- The Imagine Austin Growth Concept Map applies to the Imagine Austin vision statement to the city's physical development. Generated through a public scenario-building process, it defines how we plan to accommodate new residents, jobs, mixed use areas, open space and transportation infrastructure over the next 30 years.
Carbon Impact Statement:
- The Carbon Impact Statement is used to measure development against the Council-adopted goal of net-zero community-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index:
- The Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2018 Corporate Equality Index is the national benchmarking tool on corporate policies and practices pertinent to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer employees.