Introduction to the GO Zone         Does my business qualify?         What projects qualify?         What info do I need to begin?         How Hancock Bank can help    Alabama    Louisiana    Mississippi		Don't sit still in the GO Zone! Important information to help business owners rebuild. With over 100 years of Gulf South business banking experience and comprehensive business resources, Hancock Bank has helped generations of business owners reach their dreams. Through prosperous times, as well as trying times - through four generations of storms and recovery efforts - Hancock Bank has remained committed to our business customers.

Contact a Hancock Business Advisor today for clear and simple financial solutions to help rebuild or expand your business. Whether you have questions about the GO Zone and how to identify business opportunities that fit your objectives or about other Hancock commercial banking products, our Business Advisors are ready to help.

What is the GO Zone?
In response to 2005's storms and to help business owners rebuild, the most dynamic business legislation of all time has been enacted. It's called the Gulf Opportunity Zone Act (GO Zone), and it affects 11 counties in Alabama, approximately 50 counties in Mississippi and 31 parishes in Louisiana.

GO Zone programs and incentives provide unprecedented opportunities for business owners to invest in recovery and new or expanded operations. What's more, capital is borrowed through tax-exempt financing, and borrowers can take accelerated depreciation in the first year.

This online guide is designed to give business owners a GO Zone overview, as well as information that is specific by state. Hancock business bankers are also ready to assist you with answers, as well as completing your GO Zone application.

Billions of dollars are available for projects that meet GO Zone criteria - but not forever. So claim your place in the GO Zone now.

Visit the Alabama, Louisiana, or Mississippi sections for information on counties included in the GO Zone.

What's in the GO Zone for me?
If you're a business owner involved in post-disaster cleanup or demolition, or if you want to replace or upgrade your facility, buildings or equipment, the GO Zone offers significant financial opportunities and resources.

• 50% Bonus Depreciation
• Five-year Net Operating Losses (NOL) Carryback
• Tax-exempt Financing
• 100% First-year Equipment Expense Deduction for Small Businesses
• Expensing of Demolition and Cleanup Charges
• Special Incentives for Employers

For more detail on these incentives, as well as state-specific information, please visit our Alabama, Louisiana, or Mississippi GO Zone sections.

For additional and official details on the GO Zone Act, visit:

• IRS Tax Information
• The GO Zone Act
• White House Announcement

To talk with a Hancock Bank Business Advisor, contact the branch nearest you or call 1.800.448.8812 (Mississippi and Alabama) or 1.800.256.4636 (Louisiana)

This information is provided to assist business owners in the disaster recovery process and is distributed with the understanding that legal, accounting, and other expert advice should be sought from professionals in those specialty fields. As a service to customers, Hancock Bank monitors information and resources made available through State and Federal programs, local governments and private funding sources. The content found on this site is provided as information only for Hancock Bank customers. It does not imply recommendation or endorsement by Hancock Bank, nor is it intended to be comprehensive in nature. This information was collected and summarized from selected articles, public resources, documents, governmental agencies and other resources not affiliated with Hancock Bank. It is intended only as a guiding resource, and Hancock Bank cannot guarantee the accuracy of its content. Hancock Bank reserves the right to update or change, without notice, any information provided herein.