Washington County industrial parks designated free trade zones

CHIPLEY — Companies locating in two industrial sites in Washington County now can apply for lower import duties to make production cheaper. The federal government last month designated sites in Chipley as Free Trade Zones.

“Washington County needed to have its eye on the future and that’s what we’re doing,” said Ted Everett, county Chamber of Commerce executive director and economic development officer.

Washington County officials asked Port Panama City officials to add Washington County Industrial Park and Tommy McDonald Industrial Park to its application to expand its 1987 trade zone. The port authority approved adding Washington County sites to its October 2008 application to expand its trade zone for the Intermodal Distribution Center under construction in Bay County.

The application cost Washington County and Chipley $50,000, Everett said.

Everett said the expansion is a regional effort to promote Bay and Washington counties. Washington County hopes to draw new industry through the new designation, Everett said. The move is particularly important after WestPont Homes announced it will close by the end of the year, taking 340 jobs. The company had showed interest in using the zone a year earlier.

About three companies have considered purchasing the $5.1 million WestPoint Home facility, listed three months ago, Everett said. No one has submitted a binder agreement for the property or signed a contract yet, he said.

Having the trade zone prepares Washington County for the future, Everett said. Companies are more likely to want to move to a park that has tax breaks and incentives, he said.

Any new industry Washington County acquires will help Port Panama City and Bay County, said Wayne Stubbs, port executive director. Any company locating to Washington County is likely to use the port, he said.

“As a port, we’re trying to serve an entire region,” Stubbs said.

Companies who use the Free Trade Zone will benefit by being able to keep costs low. The zone is protected from duty fees, as though outside the country, until it finally enters the U.S., Stubbs said. The zone offers administrative advantages, too, by allowing companies to group containers instead of listing them individually.

Everett said at least one business outside of WestPoint Home has indicated interest in the trade zone.