Chapter 238

238.32 History History: 1987 a. 328; 1995 a. 209; 1997 a. 27, 103; 2011 a. 32 s. 3421; Stats. 2011 s. 238.32.

238.325 238.325 Evaluation by corporation.

238.325(1) (1) The corporation shall evaluate applications received under s. 238.32 (2) and (3).

238.325(2) (2) Subject to s. 238.335 (5), the corporation may reduce the size of an area nominated as a development zone, if the corporation determines the boundaries as proposed by the local governing body in an application under s. 238.32 (2) or (3) are inconsistent with the purpose of the development zone program. Any nominated area which is reduced under this subsection need not comply with s. 238.335 (1) and (4).

238.325(3) (3) After evaluating an application submitted under s. 238.32 (2) or (3), the corporation may approve the application, subject to any reduction in the size of the nominated area under sub. (2). If the corporation approves the application, the corporation shall designate the area as a development zone, subject to s. 238.31, and notify the local governing body.

238.325 History History: 1987 a. 328; 1995 a. 209; 1997 a. 103; 2011 a. 32 s. 3422; Stats. 2011 s. 238.325.

238.335 238.335 Boundaries and size of development zones.

238.335(1) (1) An area that is located within a metropolitan statistical area may not be nominated or designated as a development zone unless all of the following apply:

238.335(1)(a) (a) The area contains less than 10 percent of the valuation of the property of the city, village, or town, as determined under s. 70.57, in which the area is located.

238.335(1)(b) (b) If the area is located within a 1st class city, the population of the area as estimated under s. 16.96 is not less than 4,000 and not more than 10 percent of the city’s population, as estimated under s. 16.96.

238.335(1)(c) (c) If the area is located within a village, town, or city other than a 1st class city, the population of the area is not less than 1,000 nor more than 10,000, as estimated under s. 16.96.

238.335(2) (2) If an area is located within the boundaries of 2 or more cities, villages, or towns, the property value of the cities, villages, or towns under sub. (1) (a) shall be combined for the purposes of sub. (1).

238.335(4) (4) An area that is located within the boundaries of an Indian reservation may not be nominated or designated as a development zone unless the population of the area, as estimated under s. 16.96, is less than or equals 5,000.

238.335(5) (5) Except as provided in sub. (6), an area may not be nominated or designated a development zone unless all of the following apply:

238.335(5)(a) (a) The area has a continuous border following natural or man-made boundaries such as streets, highways, rivers, municipal limits, or limits of a reservation.

238.335(5)(b) (b) The area consists of contiguous blocks, census blocks, or similar units.

238.335(6) (6) 

238.335(6)(a) (a) Except as provided in pars. (b) and (c), 2 separate areas may be nominated or designated as one development zone, if all of the following apply:

238.335(6)(a)1. 1. Each of the areas has a continuous border following natural or man-made boundaries and consists of contiguous blocks, census blocks, or similar units.

238.335(6)(a)2. 2. Each area meets at least 3 of the criteria listed in s. 238.31 (1) (e) 4.

238.335(6)(a)3. 3. Considered together, the areas meet the requirements of sub. (1).

238.335(6)(b) (b) Except as provided in par. (c), in a 1st class city, up to 8 separate areas may be nominated or designated as one development zone, if par. (a) 1. to 3. applies.

238.335(6)(c) (c) If an application is submitted by the governing body of a county under s. 238.32 (2) or (3), up to 4 separate areas may be nominated or designated as one development zone, if par. (a) 1. to 3. applies.

238.335(6m) (6m) An area that is comprised of entire counties may be nominated or designated as one development zone only if the population of the entire area does not exceed 75,000.

238.335(6r) (6r) Subject to the population limit under sub. (6m), if an area that is nominated or designated as a development zone is comprised of one or more entire counties and a city, village, or town is partially located in the area and partially located outside of the area, the entire city, village, or town shall be part of the nominated or designated area.

238.335(7) (7) The corporation may waive the requirements of this section in a particular case, if the corporation determines that application of the requirement is impractical with respect to a particular development zone.

238.335 History History: 1987 a. 328; 1989 a. 56; 1995 a. 209; 1997 a. 27; 2011 a. 32 s. 3423; Stats. 2011 s. 238.335.

238.34 238.34 Change in boundary and size of development zones.

238.34(1) (1) Except as provided under sub. (6), at any time after a development zone is designated by the corporation, a local governing body may submit an application to change the boundaries of the development zone. If the boundary change reduces the size of a development zone, the local governing body shall explain why the area excluded should no longer be in a development zone. The corporation may require the local governing body to submit additional information.

238.34(2) (2) The corporation may approve an application for a boundary change if the development zone, as affected by the boundary changes, meets the applicable requirements of s. 238.335 and 3 of the criteria under s. 238.31 (1) (e) 4.

238.34(3) (3) If the corporation approves an application for a boundary change under sub. (2), it shall do all of the following:

238.34(3)(a) (a) Redetermine the limit on the tax benefits for the development zone established under s. 238.345 (2) (a).

238.34(3)(b) (b) Notify the local governing body which submitted the application of the change in the boundary or tax benefits limit of the development zone.

238.34(4) (4) The change in the boundaries or tax benefits limit of a development zone shall be effective on the day the corporation notifies the local governing body under sub. (3) (b).

238.34(5) (5) No change in the boundaries of a development zone may affect the duration of an area as a development zone under s. 238.345 (1) (a). The corporation may consider a change in the boundary of a development zone when evaluating an application for an extension of the designation of an area as a development zone under s. 238.345 (1) (b).

238.34(6) (6) The corporation may not accept any applications under sub. (1) to change the boundaries of a development zone designated under s. 238.31 on or after March 6, 2009.

238.34 History History: 1987 a. 328; 1995 a. 209; 1997 a. 103; 2009 a. 2; 2011 a. 32 s. 3425; Stats. 2011 s. 238.34.

238.345 238.345 Duration, renewal and expiration.

238.345(1) (1) 

238.345(1)(a) (a) The designation of an area as a development zone shall be effective for 240 months, beginning on the day the corporation notifies the local governing body under s. 238.325 (3) of the designation.

238.345(1)(b) (b) The local governing body may apply to the corporation for one 60-month extension of the designation. The corporation shall adopt rules establishing criteria for approving an extension of a designation of an area as a development zone under this subsection. No applications may be accepted by the corporation under this paragraph on or after March 6, 2009.

238.345(1)(c) (c) Paragraphs (a) and (b) apply to designations of areas as development zones that are in effect on June 2, 2000, or that are made on or after June 2, 2000.

238.345(2) (2) 

238.345(2)(a) (a) When the corporation designates a development zone under s. 238.31, it shall establish a limit for tax benefits for the development zone determined by allocating to the development zone a portion of $38,155,000.

238.345(2)(am) (am) Notwithstanding par. (a), the corporation may increase the established limit for tax benefits for a development zone. The corporation may not increase the limit for tax benefits established for any development zone designated under s. 238.31 on or after March 6, 2009.

238.345(2)(b) (b) Annually the corporation shall estimate the amount of forgone state revenue because of tax benefits claimed by persons in each development zone.

238.345(2)(c) (c) Notwithstanding sub. (1), the designation of an area as a development zone shall expire on the earlier of the following:

238.345(2)(c)1. 1. Ninety days after the day on which the corporation determines that the forgone tax revenues under par. (b) will equal or exceed the limit for the development zone established under par. (a) or (am).

238.345(2)(c)2. 2. The day that the corporation withdraws its designation of an area as a development zone under sub. (3).

238.345(2)(d) (d) The corporation shall immediately notify the local governing body of a change in the expiration date of the development zone under par. (c).

238.345(3) (3) The corporation may withdraw the designation of an area as a development zone if any of the following applies:

238.345(3)(a) (a) No person is certified as eligible to receive tax benefits under s. 238.365 (3) during the 12-month period beginning on the day the area is designated as a development zone and the corporation determines that the local governing body that nominated the zone is not in compliance with s. 238.363.

238.345(3)(b) (b) No person is certified as eligible to receive tax benefits under s. 238.365 (3) during the 24-month period beginning on the day the area is designated a development zone.

238.345 History History: 1987 a. 328; 1989 a. 31, 336; 1993 a. 16; 1995 a. 209; 1997 a. 27, 103; 1999 a. 9, 32, 193; 2009 a. 2; 2011 a. 32 s. 3426; Stats. 2011 s. 238.345; 2013 a. 166.

238.35 238.35 Additional duties of the corporation. The corporation shall do all of the following:

238.35(1) (1) Monitor and evaluate the implementation of the development zone program.

238.35(2) (2) Apply to the federal government for assistance for the development zone program.

238.35(4) (4) Help eligible persons apply for and obtain tax benefits.

238.35(5) (5) Help local governing bodies prepare applications for development zones.

238.35(6) (6) Notify University of Wisconsin small business development centers, the Wisconsin housing and development centers, the central administration of all University of Wisconsin campuses and regional planning commissions about the development zone program and encourage those entities to provide advice to the corporation or local governing bodies on ways to improve the development zone program.

238.35(7) (7) Prepare forms for the certification described under s. 238.365 (5).

238.35(8) (8) Annually verify information submitted to the corporation under s. 71.07 (2dx), 71.28 (1dx), 71.47 (1dx), or 76.636.

238.35(10) (10) Enter into an agreement with the local governing body of a 1st class city where a development zone is designated under s. 238.31 (3) (c) 1. to provide efficient administration of the development zone program within the development zone.

238.35 History History: 1987 a. 328; 1989 a. 31; 1989 a. 56 s. 259; 1991 a. 39; 1993 a. 16; 1995 a. 27 ss. 6936, 9130 (4); 1995 a. 209; 1997 a. 3, 27, 103; 1999 a. 9; 2005 a. 259; 2011 a. 32 s. 3427; Stats. 2011 s. 238.35.

238.363 238.363 Duties of local governing bodies.

238.363(1) (1) If an area nominated by a local governing body is designated as a development zone under s. 238.31, the local governing body shall do all of the following:

238.363(1)(b) (b) Promote economic development within the development zone.

238.363(1)(c) (c) Assist the corporation in the administration of the development zone program.

238.363(4) (4) The local governing body of a 1st class city where a development zone is designated under s. 238.31 (3) (c) 1. shall enter into an agreement with the corporation to provide efficient administration of the development zone program within the development zone.

238.363 History History: 1987 a. 328; 1995 a. 209; 2011 a. 32 s. 3428; Stats. s. 238.363.

238.365 238.365 Certification for tax benefits. The corporation shall do all of the following:

238.365(1) (1) Evaluate the likelihood that a person applying for tax benefits engages or will engage in economic activity consistent with the development zone application.

238.365(2) (2) Determine whether a person applying for tax benefits engages or will engage in economic activity that violates s. 238.38 (1).

238.365(3) (3) Subject to s. 238.38, certify persons who are eligible to claim tax benefits while an area is designated as a development zone, according to the following criteria:

238.365(3)(a) (a) The likelihood that the person will continue to conduct economic activity in the area following expiration of the designation of the area as a development zone.

238.365(3)(b) (b) The person’s commitment not to engage in economic activity that violates s. 238.38 (1).

238.365(3)(bm) (bm) The person’s commitment to use techniques or processes that reduce or eliminate the use of ozone-depleting substances that are listed as class I substances under 42 USC 7671a.

238.365(3)(c) (c) The number of full-time jobs that will be created, retained, or substantially upgraded as a result of the person’s economic activity in relation to the amount of tax benefits estimated for the person under sub. (4).

238.365(3)(d) (d) The person’s plans to make reasonable attempts to hire employees from the targeted population.

238.365(3)(e) (e) The amount the person proposes to invest in a business, or spend on the construction, rehabilitation, repair, or remodeling of a building, located within the development zone.

238.365(3)(f) (f) The likelihood that the person’s economic activity will attract other forms of economic activity to the development zone.

238.365(3)(g) (g) Whether the person’s proposed economic activity is consistent with the development zone application.

238.365(3)(h) (h) The effects of the person’s proposed investment on the economic and social well-being of the targeted population.

238.365(3)(j) (j) Any other criteria established under rules adopted by the corporation.

238.365(4) (4) Within 3 months after a person is certified under sub. (3), estimate the amount of tax benefits that the person will claim while an area is designated as a development zone.

238.365(5) (5) Provide a person certified under sub. (3) and the department of revenue with a copy of the certification. The certification shall include all of the following:

238.365(5)(a) (a) The name and address of the person’s business.

238.365(5)(b) (b) The appropriate Wisconsin tax identification number of the person.

238.365(5)(c) (c) The names and addresses of other locations outside of the development zone where the person conducts business and a description of the business activities conducted at those locations.