The City of Clovis is offering a sales tax rebate for new businesses locating in existing vacant commercial buildings in commercial corridors. The program applies to any building in the city that was vacant as of January 1, 2011.  The new business must generate at least $25,000 in sales tax revenue to the city per year (which equates to approximately $2.5 million in annual sales).  The application period ends on December 31, 2012 with the program running for four years.  Businesses meeting the threshold would receive a rebate of 50% of the City's sales tax generated for a maximum of 12 quarters.

Here are some guidelines for this program:

• Available for four years beginning January 1, 2011
• Eligible to businesses that generate a minimum of $25,000 in sales tax revenue to the City annually
• The application period will be for businesses that open for business between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011
• Businesses must be new to the community or opening an additional location. Relocating businesses are not eligible
• Businesses meeting the threshold will receive a rebate of 50 percent of the City's share of sales tax generated for a maximum of 12 quarters
• The building must have been available to be occupied as of January 1, 2011