2012 CPEO Brownfields List Archive

From: Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>
Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2012 22:49:28 -0700 (PDT)
Reply: cpeo-brownfields
Subject: [CPEO-BIF] Florida "'Brownfield' companies get tax break without proof of pollution"
 
'Brownfield' companies get tax break without proof of pollution

By Sandra Pedicini
Orlando Sentinel (FL)
August 18, 2012

A state program created to redevelop polluted areas is doling out tax breaks for companies that lease offices in downtown high-rises, build on pastureland and open restaurants on busy highways, even when there is no proof they are on contaminated land.

From January 2011 through April 2012 alone, about $11 million in tax refunds have been approved for dozens of businesses, according to a database accidentally released in June by the state Department of Economic Opportunity. In some instances local governments would not contribute their share, which means the overall total could be lower.

The companies range from Orlando startup video-game developer Row Sham Bow to Fortune 500 corporations including Darden Restaurants and Publix Super Markets. Many businesses can receive up to $2,500 per job during several years when they open or expand in so-called "brownfields," defined as properties underdeveloped because of actual or perceived environmental pollution.

Companies are getting the breaks largely because Florida's brownfield initiative has a major loophole, critics say. To be eligible, there is no need to prove that anything needs cleaning up. The perception alone of contamination is enough under the vaguely written law.

...

For the entire article, see
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-08-18/business/os-florida- brownfield-tax-breaks-20120818_1_brownfield-areas-brownfield-program- polluted-areas

--

Lenny Siegel
Executive Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
a project of the Pacific Studies Center
278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org

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