(1) An eligible business firm seeking authorization under ORS § 285C.140 and the sponsor of the enterprise zone in which the firm intends to invest may enter into a written agreement to extend the period during which the qualified property is exempt from taxation under ORS § 285C.175 if the firm complies with the terms of the agreement.

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(2) The period for which the qualified property is to continue to be exempt must be set forth in the agreement and may not exceed two additional tax years for which a school support fee must be paid in accordance with ORS § 285C.162.

(3) In order for an agreement under this section to extend the period of exemption, the agreement must be executed on or before the date on which the firm is authorized, and:

(a) If the enterprise zone is a rural enterprise zone or an urban enterprise zone located inside a metropolitan statistical area of fewer than 400,000 residents, the agreement must require that the firm:

(A)(i) Annually compensate all new employees hired by the firm at an average rate of at least 150 percent of the county average annual wage for each assessment year during the tax exemption period, as determined at the time of authorization; or

(ii) If the enterprise zone is located in a qualified rural county, annually compensate all new employees hired by the firm at an average rate of at least 130 percent of the county average annual wage for each assessment year during the tax exemption period, as determined at the time of authorization; and

(B) Meet any additional requirement that the sponsor may reasonably request.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a)(A) of this subsection, the average wage received by the newly hired employees must equal or exceed 100 percent of the average wage in the county.

(c) If the enterprise zone is an urban enterprise zone located inside a metropolitan statistical area of 400,000 residents or more, the agreement must require that the firm meet any additional requirement the sponsor may reasonably require.

(4) If a firm enters into an agreement under this section that includes a compensation requirement under subsection (3)(a)(A) of this section and the firm subsequently submits one or more statements of continued intent under ORS § 285C.165, notwithstanding the terms of the agreement made under this section, for each statement of continued intent submitted, the county average annual wage under subsection (3)(a)(A) of this section shall be adjusted to a level that is current with the statement. [2003 c.662 § 34; 2005 c.94 § 9; 2017 c.610 § 23; 2023 c.298 § 46]