Economic Revitalization Zone

The City's five Economic Revitalization Zones, or ERZ's, can be viewed on a map by clicking on the link below:

Maps of City of Dover ERZ's

What is an ERZ?

What does “ERZ” stand for?
“ERZ” stands for Economic Revitalization Zone. The ERZ tax credit program, which is detailed in state law RSA 162-N, offers a short-term business tax credit for projects that improve infrastructure and create jobs in designated areas of a municipality.

Why were ERZs established?
ERZs were established to stimulate economic redevelopment, expand the commercial and industrial base, create new jobs, reduce sprawl, and increase tax revenues within the state by encouraging economic revitalization in designated areas. 

How is an ERZ defined?
An Economic Revitalization Zone means a zone with a single continuous boundary, designated in accordance with RSA 162-N:2, and having at least one of the following characteristics:
  • (a) Unused or underutilized industrial parks; or
  • (b) Vacant land or structures previously used for industrial, commercial, or retail purposes but currently not so used due to demolition, relocation of the former occupant’s operations, age, obsolescence, deterioration, brownfields,  or cessation of operation resulting from unfavorable economic conditions either generally or in a specific economic sector.

A community must request that a site or contiguous area be designated as an ERZ by New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs. Each ERZ is evaluated every five years to assess whether the designation is still eligible.

How much is available in tax credits?
The State of New Hampshire has designated $825,000 statewide, per year, to be made available for ERZ tax credits.  

How long will this initiative be in place?
This program will be in place until Jan. 1, 2028, or until state law governing ERZs is repealed, amended or revised.    

What does a business need to do to qualify?
For a business to qualify for an ERZ tax credit it must invest in plant or equipment and create a least one new job in the state, and meet the following criteria: 
  • The business must be physically located in an approved ERZ.
  • Investment in plant or equipment must be made directly by the business applying for the ERZ tax credit.
  • Jobs created may be full time or part time direct employees, and not be contracted or “temp” jobs.
  • The investment and / or the job creation must take place within one calendar year.
What is the process for a business to apply for an ERZ tax credit?
To apply for the tax credits an applicant must complete Form ERZ-2 which is available from the Department of Business and Economic Affairs. The deadline to apply is Feb. 10 of the year following the applicant’s tax year. 

How is the credit calculated?
The credit is based on a percent of the salary for each new job created and the lesser of: either a percent of the actual cost incurred for the project or a maximum credit for each new job created in the fiscal year. 

How is the credit applied to my tax liability?
The tax credits shall be available to the taxpayer only for tax liabilities arising during tax periods including the tax period for which the tax credit is applied, up to an additional five consecutive tax periods following the date of certification by the BEA commissioner. The maximum amount of tax credit is $240,000 per application, and the maximum applied per year by a taxpayer is limited to $40,000.

Whom should I call with additional questions?
Contact the Division of Economic Development at 603-271-2591.