Washington County’s Foreign Trade Zone sites now have greater boundary flexibility under new federal trade rules.
County officials announced last week that Foreign Trade Zone #255, which includes seven sites in the county, got federal approval to restructure under the Alternative Site Framework.
FTZ #255 consists of five zones and one subzone. It encompasses 2,000 acres of already existing industrial property across the county.
One of the sites in the FTZ is the 129-acre Mellott Enterprises Industrial Complex in Hancock on Resley Street just north of Maryland Avenue.
The others include: —Lakeside Corporate Center, 200 Castle Drive, Cascade (276 acres),
—Hagerstown Regional Airport Complex/Bowman Airpark, 18434 Showalter Road, Hagerstown (443 acres),
—Hunter’s Green/ Hopewell Valley Industrial Complex, Hopewell Road and Halfway Boulevard, Hagerstown (438 acres) and
—Interstate Industrial Park, 10228 Governor Lane Boulevard, Williamsport (172 acres).
The Foreign Trade Zone in Washington County was established in 2002. Inside the zone, duty fees can be reduced, deferred, and, in some cases, exempt, on imported goods.
On October 24, the United States Department of Commerce, The Foreign-Trade Zones Board, approved Washington County’s application to restructure under the Alternative Site Framework (ASF).
“ASF designation represents one component of ongoing efforts by the Washington County Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) to encourage international commerce and increase employment and investment in Washington County, MD,” said John Barr, president of the Washington County Board of County Commissioners. “The streamlined procedures and processing times afforded by the ASF framework will contribute to the county’ s efforts to attract new businesses and to encourage existing businesses in Washington County to take advantage of the Foreign Trade Zone program.”
“As every aspect of business grows more competitive, Foreign Trade Zones are becoming an important strategic tool for businesses sourcing their supply chains from or operating in an international environment,” said Jonathan Horowitz, Director for the Washington County Department of Business and Economic Development. “FTZ communities are highly sought after by manufacturing, logistics, life sciences, retail, automotive, electronics, technology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, aerospace, defense, oil, and gas, as well as the textiles and apparel industries. We look forward to utilizing this new tool in the creation of quality job opportunities for the citizens of Washington County, MD.”
For more information on how Foreign Trade Zone #255 can benefit business, contact Linda Spence, business specialist and Foreign Trade Zone #255 zone administrator for the Washington County Department of Business and Economic Development at LSpence@ WashCo-MD.net or call 240-313-2286.
