Logo courtesy of Enterprise Rancheria

OROVILLE, CA (MPG) - The Butte County Board of Supervisors has approved a letter of support backing Enterprise Rancheria’s application to establish a federal Foreign-Trade Zone in Butte County, a designation county leaders said could help attract business investment and reduce operating costs for manufacturers and exporters.

Enterprise Rancheria, operated by the Estom Yumeka Maidu Tribe of the Enterprise Rancheria, is based near Oroville and operates Gold Country Casino Resort along Highway 162.

The letter, signed by Board Chair Bill Connelly and addressed to the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones Board, supports Enterprise Rancheria’s effort to serve as the regional administrator for the proposed zone.

“This designation would expand economic development opportunities by giving local businesses the ability to apply for a federally regulated program that can lower costs for companies that import materials, export products, or assemble goods locally,” Connelly wrote in the letter supporting the application.

Enterprise Rancheria plans to coordinate applications and compliance within the service area if the zone is approved by federal officials. County leaders said the designation could make Butte County more competitive for industrial and commercial development.

Foreign-Trade Zones operate under special federal customs procedures that can allow businesses to defer, reduce or eliminate certain duties on imported goods used in manufacturing, storage or export operations.

Chair Connelly and Supervisor Doug Teeter requested the support letter, which supervisors approved as part of the consent agenda.