As part of the
City of Boulder’s 2009 business incentive program, City Manager Jane Brautigam
has approved IBM’s flexible rebate application for a project that will bring
approximately 500 new jobs to IBM’s Gunbarrel campus. All of the new jobs, to
be filled with local hires, will receive IBM training.
The approval
authorizes up to $35,000 for IBM in rebates for sales and use taxes. IBM
Boulder has retrofitted 22,000 square feet of an existing building and used
62,000 square feet of existing space for the project.
The flexible
rebate program, first approved by the City Council in September 2006, covers a
wide range of fees and equipment and construction use taxes. Once companies are
approved for the program and pay fees and taxes to the city, those fees and
taxes can be rebated up to the amount approved by the city manager.
The 2009
flexible rebate program uses community sustainability guidelines, which were
expanded for this year’s program. Companies may choose the social, community and
environmental sustainability guidelines that best fit their company, but they
must meet minimum requirements in order to receive the rebate. IBM demonstrated
compliance with those guidelines, achieving Partners for a Clean Environment
(PACE) certification and maintaining a zero-waste facility, in addition to
offering many employee commute trip reduction programs. The IBM Boulder project
is also receiving state incentive funding.
