Westhampton Beach Village to Bolster Economy With Tax Incentives

Westhampton Beach Village officials took the next step in bringing new business to the village by using a 14-year-old county program that provides tax incentives to new and expanding businesses.

On Wednesday night, village board members were presented with a draft industrial/commercial Incentive Plan prepared by K.P. C Planning Services. 

The plan offers county tax abatements to new and expanding businesses in the village’s B-1, B-2 and B-3 zoning districts.

According to the plan, the B-1 district encompasses the central downtown district, which includes daily retail shopping and professional services, as well as on-premise food consumption and tourist and resorting shopping.  The B-2 district includes highway-oriented business and commercial services as does the B-3 district, which is similar to the B-2 district, but requires that the businesses be located at major highway entrances and have larger lot sizes.

For new and expanding businesses in these districts, the tax incentive program would offer a 10-year term with a 50-percent tax exemption the first three years after construction. In year four, the tax break would drop to 40 percent, and will continue to drop by 10 percent each year. By year 10, the business would pay full taxes on the property.

Village officials say they hope the program will help boost the economy in the village, which is mostly

To help bolster the program, village officials say they hope to start an awareness campaign that will let business know the program is available.

According to Kyle Collins, planner for the village, officials must approve the plan by October in order for it to be approved by the county.