The Ohio Air Quality Development Authority (OAQDA) provides assistance for new air quality projects in Ohio, for both small and large businesses. For qualifying projects, OAQDA can provide a 100 percent exemption from the tangible personal property tax (on property purchased as part of an air quality project), real property tax (on real property comprising an air quality project), a portion of the corporate franchise tax (under the net worth base calculation), sales and use tax (on the personal property purchased specifically for the air quality project only) as long as the bond or note issued by OAQDA is outstanding. Furthermore, interest income on bonds and notes issued by OAQDA is exempt from state income tax (and may be exempt in certain cases from the federal income tax).
Qualifying air quality facilities, which can be financed through the OAQDA, include:
1. Projects that modify or replace property, processes, devices, equipment, or structures that removes (or otherwise reduces, stores) air pollution and air contaminants.
2. Any property used for the collection, storage, treatment, processing, or final disposal of solid waste resulting from an air pollution control process.
3. Any energy efficiency or conservation project.
4. Any project that uses renewable or biomass resources, including ethanol and other biofuel.