A Columbus emission control systems manufacturer is seeking a tax abatement to build a new $30 million plant on the former Walesboro Airport property.
Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies is proposing constructing a new 350,000- to 420,000-square-foot facility with equipment to produce emission control systems, which will add 131 employees to the company’s workforce by December 2017.
The building will be leased from a developer by Faurecia, but the developer has not been selected, the company’s application states.
Research and development, IT and logistical equipment are part of the proposal. The information is included in the company’s tax abatement request and in a packet of documents being provided to the city’s Investment Review Committee about the project.
The information was released Thursday by Chris Schilling, the city’s communications and program coordinator, in an email to media.
Tony Sapienza, Faurecia North America communications director, said the company is not commenting until upcoming meetings with the city are completed.
Columbus Board of Aviation Commissioners has called a special meeting at 2 p.m. Monday to approve the possible sale of 80 acres at the former Walesboro airport property for an economic development project.
The city’s Investment Review committee will meet at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday to consider the Faurecia tax abatement. The proposal also is being placed on the Columbus City Council agenda for discussion at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
The new plant would be located at 950 W. County Road 450S near 175W, the application said. Faurecia is asking the property be designated as an economic revitalization area and is seeking a 10-year tax abatement.
Fauecia has 1,635 full-time employees between its Gladstone Avenue operations and its Columbus Technical Center on 450S near the Walesboro airport property, near where the new plant is planned, the tax abatement application said.
