At Webb Strahan Meeks, PLLC, our Foreign Trade Zones & Economic Development practice area helps businesses and property owners unlock economic opportunity through strategic planning, regulatory compliance, negotiation, and advocacy. We partner with developers, manufacturers, logistics companies, investors, and public entities to leverage Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZs) and economic development incentives that can improve competitiveness, reduce costs, and support long-term growth.
A Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) is a federally designated area where imported goods can be stored, processed, manufactured, or re-exported without immediate customs duties, tariffs, or other entry taxes — often yielding significant operational and tax advantages. FTZs play a powerful role in global supply chains and economic development strategy, enabling duty deferral, reduction, and elimination for qualifying activities.
Our team provides sophisticated legal services tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities presented by Foreign-Trade Zones and broader economic development law:
We advise companies and developers on selecting appropriate FTZ sites, preparing applications to the Foreign-Trade Zones Board and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and securing zone approvals to support import/export and manufacturing strategies.
Operating within an FTZ requires compliance with federal law, customs regulations, and zone procedures. We help clients understand applicable rules, structure compliant operations, and manage reporting or audit requirements.
Whether it’s tax abatements, credits, infrastructure incentives, public-private development agreements, or workforce-related incentives, we help clients evaluate, pursue, and negotiate economic development benefits that enhance project feasibility and ROI.
We assist businesses in engaging with local, state, and federal agencies, helping build constructive government relationships, advocate for pro-development policy outcomes, and navigate regulatory hurdles that affect FTZs and economic projects.
FTZs and economic incentive programs often intersect with land use, zoning, and permitting frameworks. Our attorneys help integrate land use strategy with economic development goals to reduce barriers and accelerate implementation.
Foreign-Trade Zones and economic development tools can:
Clients often pursue FTZ designation as part of broader site selection and operational planning — and our team approaches each engagement with a focus on maximizing opportunity while managing risk.
We work with a wide variety of clients, including:
At Webb Strahan Meeks, PLLC, we serve as trusted advisors, offering proactive guidance through every stage of FTZ and economic development engagement. We combine legal insight with business sensibility to help clients:
Our goal is to deliver practical legal solutions that support economic growth, increase competitiveness, and protect your interests.
Foreign Trade Zones and economic development incentives can be powerful strategic assets — but they require thoughtful legal navigation. Contact Webb Strahan Meeks, PLLC to schedule a consultation and explore how our Foreign Trade Zones & Economic Development team can help with your project or investment strategy.
