About

Strategus are experts in nontraditional incentive finance consulting, fostering transformative partnerships that empower developers and investors to drive economic prosperity and community change. We leverage New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) and other innovative financing to create high-wage jobs accessible to all, delivering risk-adjusted returns and sustainable impact for Indiana manufacturers, businesses, and nonprofits.


We financially support businesses and nonprofits as they grow and pursue their goals.

About What We Do

We target incentives ~40% of project costs

Strategus is your trusted partner in transforming business expansions and economic development projects into reality through innovative financing and incentive solutions, with a core focus on New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC). Founded by Frank Hoffman, with over 40 years of expertise and a 100% close rate of qualified committed projects, we empower Indiana businesses to capitalize on high-impact opportunities, create high-wage jobs accessible to those with a high school diploma, and drive the state’s reshoring boom. From early due diligence to post-closing compliance, Strategus delivers tailored strategies that maximize resources, reduce project costs by ~40% with incentives to ensure project success across the entire lifecycle.

 

  • Incentive Procurement: Identifying and securing basic state and local incentives (e.g., Indiana’s EDGE, Skills Enhancement Fund, Hoosier Business Investment Tax Credit, and local Property Tax Abatement) and other more complex federal, state, and local incentives (e.g., NMTC, Federal Historic Tax Credits, HUD Section 108 Loans, Redevelopment Investment Tax Credits, Tax Increment Financing Districts, Innovation Districts, Professional Sport Districts, Tax Increment Financing Districts,  and Economic Improvement Districts).
  • Financing Solutions: Structuring traditional and nontraditional debt and equity financing, including TIF-backed bonds, EID-backed financing, NMTC leverage loans, USDA Business and Industry (B&I) Loan Guarantees, and EB-5 financing.
  • Compliance Management: Starting at the inception of the incentive procurement process, we provide administrative support to minimize closing risk, maximize net incentives, ensure compliance and reduce the post-closing burden.

When Should You Partner with Strategus?

Wondering if your project qualifies for financial incentives? Partnering with Strategus gives you a competitive edge during Pivotal Moments—key business decisions that demand expert financing and incentive strategies. We engage early in your planning process to uncover cost-saving opportunities and craft a tailored plan for implementation and compliance. Strategus supports these Pivotal Moments:

  • Capital Investment: Fund expansions, equipment, acquisitions, restorations, environmental remediation, or infrastructure, as shown in our Anderson/Perfecto deal ($8.5M loan, $5M TIF savings).
  • Workforce Growth: Support hiring and training for high-wage jobs (150% living wage, 85% requiring a high school diploma) with NMTC and grants.
  • Operational Relocation or Expansion: Optimize site selection and costs with NMTC and TIF for moves or growth.
  • Headquarters Relocation: Access non-dilutive capital for financially efficient relocations.
  • Mergers and Acquisitions: Structure deals to preserve equity and boost cash flow.
  • Lease Negotiations: Lower costs with NMTC and incentives for building leases.
  • Location Closure: Use NMTC for community revitalization or workforce transitions.
  • R&D Investment: Finance innovation hubs with NMTC and other incentives.
  • Sustainable Energy Projects: Fund energy-efficient or renewable energy initiatives with NMTC and green incentives.
  • Brownfield Redevelopment: Revitalize sites in NMTC-eligible areas with NMTC and TIF.
  • Infrastructure Development: Support utilities or transportation for large projects.
  • Rural Economic Growth: Drive job creation and community strength in rural NMTC-eligible regions.

Nontraditional Incentive Finance Consulting

Bringing It All Together: Stack the financial incentives

As experts in complex incentive structures, Strategus crafts tailored strategies to maximize value for developers and investors, including CDFIs, banks, insurance companies, and corporations with significant tax liabilities. 

Strategus excels at combining Basic State and Local Incentives with Complex Federal, State, and Local Incentives to make your project financially viable. We build on foundational incentives like:

  • Basic State Incentives: Indiana’s EDGE (job growth), Skills Enhancement Fund (workforce training), and Hoosier Business Investment Tax Credit (capital investment).
  • Basic Local Incentives: Property Tax Abatement and TIF, which provide critical local support.

We then layer complex incentives and financing, such as:

  • Federal NMTC: Obtaining allocations and leveraged loans to generate 18% cost reductions and non-dilutive capital.
  • Federal HUD Section 108 Loans: Combined with NMTC for rural or urban projects.
  • USDA B&I Loan Guarantees: Securing NMTC leverage loans for rural economic development.
  • Federal and State Historic Tax Credits: Monetizing credits for building restorations.
  • State Community Revitalization Enhancement District (CRED) and Redevelopment Tax Credits: Enhancing project equity.
  • Federal EB-5 Financing and Local TIF and EID Lender Credit Enhancements: Supporting large-scale projects.
  • State and Nonprofit Grant Proceeds: Boosting community infrastructure.

For example, Strategus can combine NMTC with TIF, EDGE, and HUD Section 108 loans to support a rural manufacturing expansion, or integrate Federal Historic Tax Credits with NMTC for a brownfield redevelopment, ensuring your project’s numbers work. 

Target with description

Comprehensive Debt and Equity Financing Services

Strategus provides end-to-end project financing, acting as a streamlined point of contact to analyze, plan, structure, and facilitate both traditional and nontraditional financing sources. Our expertise includes:

  • Traditional Financing: Real estate and private company debt and equity financing.
  • Nontraditional Financing: TIF-backed bonds, Industrial Revenue Tax-Exempt Bonds, 501(c) Tax-Exempt Bonds, SBA and USDA loan guarantees, NMTC leverage loans, and EB-5 financing & EID-backed bonds.
  • Tax Credit Monetization: Generating equity through the sale of Federal NMTC, Historic, Renewable Energy, Low-Income Housing and State Investment Tax Credits.
  • Specialized Programs: Affordable Housing Section 142 Bonds, Innovation District financing, professional sports district financing, and Local Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreements.

Compliance Management

Strategus embeds compliance from the start of the incentive procurement process, minimizing post-closing burdens. We provide administrative support to ensure you maximize net incentives and financing, navigating the complexities of federal, state, and local requirements with ease at closing and through the administration of the incentive.

Compliance and Support 

Strategus ensures seamless project execution from due diligence to compliance. We provide:

 

  • End-to-End Management: Act as your single point of contact, structuring incentives and financing while navigating complex federal, state, and local requirements.
  • Compliance Expertise: Embed compliance at project inception, offering administrative support to maximize net incentives and minimize post-closing burdens.
  • Developer Support: Empower financial institutions and developers with consulting services to enhance community sustainability, drawing on our experience with over $1.5 billion in NMTC financing.

Strategic Innovation, Lifelong Expertise, Unmatched Collaboration.

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