Business Climate

 

 

The State of Florida is ranked  by the Tax Foundation at Number 4 in its "2018 State Business Tax Climate Index". The Tax Foundation states, “Florida ranks 4th in the Tax Foundation's State Business Tax Climate Index. The Index compares the states in five areas of taxation that impact business: corporate taxes, individual income taxes, sales taxes, unemployment insurance taxes, and taxes on property, including residential and commercial property.” This means that Florida has one of the lowest business tax climates when compared to the majority of states.  Click here to view the entire Report from the Tax Foundation.

 

Sebastian is “business friendly”. Between our Economic and Community Development Department's, we will hurry the process of obtaining the necessary permits to begin construction of your new facility.

 

 

We have industrial sites, with infrastructure in place, ready for immediate development located at the Sebastian Municipal Airport, which is the heart of economic development in Sebastian, Florida.

 

Locate your business here at the Sebastian Municipal Airport, either with direct access to Airport runways or on ready for building lots on East or West Airport Drive.

 

Call us with the details of your requirements. We will put you in touch with the right people immediately. Contact Joe Griffin, City Manager, at 772-388-8203 or e-mail at jgriffin@cityofsebastian.org. or our Airport Director, Scott Baker at 772-228-7013, email sbaker@cityofsebastian.org.

 

Sebastian can draw architects, engineers and contractors from Vero Beach and West Palm Beach to the south, Melbourne and Orlando to the north. With a plentiful supply of excellent building contractors and easy availability of skilled labor, you can begin construction immediately.

 

Housing for your employees is available and affordable.  Now, more than ever is the time to start your business in Sebastian, because starting or relocating your business is easy.

 

WHY MOVE YOUR BUSINESS TO FLORIDA AND BECOME A SEBASTIAN RESIDENT?

 

STATE OF FLORIDA FACTS:

 

 

The State 2014 US Census household population was estimated at 19,893,292, the 3rd most populous state in the nation. The median age is 40.7, somewhat higher than the national average. Some 18% of the Florida population is over 65 . Click      here       for more State of Florida statistics.

 

                  Click       here             to see the latest (March 2017) Florida economic outlook and statistics.

 

Part of Florida's geographic diversity is derived from its unusual physical shape. The State is both long and wide. It takes a day to drive from Pensacola to Key West.  Florida is the 22nd largest state and has the longest coastline in the contiguous states. It also has a coastline on the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.

 

The population of Florida continues to increase at a rapid rate, mostly due to the temperate climate. The average year round temperature in Sebastian is 73.4 degrees. Florida is an ideal place to live, work and play. There is no snow, no cold weather thus much lower living costs. There is generally no lost work time due to bad weather conditions.

 

According to Zillow, a nationally recognized real estate statistics firm, Florida's 2016 median home value was $189,500, up 9.4% from 2015. Click here  to see the latest Florida data from Zillow.  Sebastian is located in the Vero Beach Metro. Zillow lists the average Sebastian single family home with an average value of $168,700 in August 2016. This is up some 9% from 2015. Click here to see all of the latest Zillow information on real estate in  the Sebastian area.

 

Florida has an extremely low state/local tax burden. Florida has no state income tax or inheritance tax.

 

Florida has “Homestead Protection. What’s that?  Florida residents are protected by the Florida Constitution from losing their home to a creditor or any type of lien except a mortgage. In other words, it is very difficult for any creditor to take your residence.

 

 

Florida has a homestead exemption for a residents primary home. This exemption is on the first $50,000 of assessed value of the residence for all taxing districts except a school district, which is $25,000.

 

 

SEBASTIAN FACTS:

 

Sebastian, Florida has a low property tax rate. The City finances are in excellent condition.

Many cities and towns across the nation are is deep financial trouble.  Sebastian is fortunate to have a low debt load, a higher than required cash reserve and low taxes.

 

The City has an A+ credit rating from Standard and Poors. Sebastian has a cash reserve of just over $5 million which is almost twice what the State requires. The City debt as of the 2015 audit was $7.9 million. The debt consists of revenue bonds or short term borrowing that is paid by tax revenue from gas and sales tax as well as stormwater tax revenue. No debt payment comes from the City property taxes.

 

For complete information about City of Sebastian finances, click here to view the latest City budget and audit reports

 

With all these positive financial indicators, consider Sebastian, Florida as your ideal place to relocate your business and your employees.