Big News for Main Street! Downtown Grand Junction Back in the Enterprise Zone

Downtown Grand Junction businesses are once again eligible for Colorado Enterprise Zone tax credits opening the door for new investment, rehabilitation projects, business expansion, and job creation across Main Street and the surrounding downtown corridor.

The Colorado Economic Development Commission has officially approved a Boundary Amendment reinstating Census Tract 3 into the Mesa County Enterprise Zone for the next 10 years. The tract includes the downtown area between 1st and 7th Streets and from Pitkin Avenue to North Avenue.

The change comes after newly released 2024 Census data confirmed that the area once again meets Colorado’s qualifying thresholds for economic distress, allowing the Business Incubator Center (BIC), administrator of the Mesa County Enterprise Zone, to successfully pursue reinstatement through the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT).

Why This Matters

Enterprise Zone designation provides Colorado state income tax credits to qualifying businesses making investments in their operations and the local economy.

For downtown businesses, that can mean meaningful financial incentives tied to:

  • Hiring new employees
  • Employee training programs
  • Equipment and capital investments
  • Research and development activities
  • Rehabilitation of qualifying vacant buildings

One of the most impactful incentives available is the Vacant Building Rehabilitation Credit, which covers 25% of qualifying rehabilitation costs for buildings vacant for two years or longer. Businesses may also qualify for the Job Creation Tax Credit, which provides $1,100 per new employee.

A Win for Downtown Businesses

“Enterprise Zone redesignation is a signal to entrepreneurs and investors that a community is open for business and willing to back that up with real incentives,” said Dalida Sassoon Bollig, CEO of the Business Incubator Center. “So when the redesignation left parts of Mesa County out, including Downtown Grand Junction, we got to work. We ran the analysis, made the case to OEDIT, and successfully brought those areas back in.”

Bollig said the effort also focused on protecting businesses impacted by previous boundary changes.

“For the businesses that ended up outside the new boundaries, we also advocated for robust grandfathering through 2035 so they wouldn’t lose ground,” she said. “The Enterprise Zone now reflects what our regional economy actually looks like, and that’s how it should be.”

What Businesses Need to Know

Businesses interested in utilizing Enterprise Zone tax credits must complete annual pre-certification through the OEDIT portal before undertaking qualifying activities.

Business owners are encouraged to begin the process immediately for the 2026 tax year to ensure projects and investments qualify.

The Business Incubator Center encourages businesses to connect early to determine eligibility and maximize available incentives.

Learn More

Enterprise Zone information, eligibility maps, and pre-certification links are available here:

Mesa County Enterprise Zone Information

Questions regarding eligibility and certification may be directed to:

Kristin Rau

Mesa County Enterprise Zone Administrator

mcezadmin@gjincubator.org

The Business Incubator Center also recognizes and appreciates the support of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) in the successful application effort. Businesses may also have opportunities to combine Enterprise Zone credits with DDA incentive programs to maximize investment opportunities.