By Mike Sunnucks | Rose Law Group Reporter
The city of Mesa is considering applying with the U.S. Commerce Department for an “alternative sites framework” for its Foreign Trade Zone.
Mesa is home to a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) near Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport. Companies in FTZs in Arizona pay cheaper property taxes and get federal breaks on customs duties.
They are a popular economic development tool and incentive in the Phoenix metro area.
The Mesa City Council is being asked to allow city managers to apply for an alternative site framework for the trade zone. That would allow more flexibility to expand or extend the FTZs boundaries and bring in nearby economic development projects to the existing zone, according to city documents.
The council will consider the staff request at its June 7 meeting.
