COLUMBUS, Ind. — Two separate tax abatement requests from two different companies that will bring or maintain jobs to German Township will go before the Bartholomew County Council this month.
One request involves a company new to the area, while the other calls for the expansion of a current employer in the township, Greater Columbus Economic Development Corp. President Jason Hester said.
While the agenda for the June 30 council meeting indicated the requests would be heard that evening, not all required steps had been taken that would have allowed it to happen.
In mid-April, the council created a county economic development commission, a prerequisite to offer tax abatements to companies within an expanded tax increment financial (TIF) district in German Township.
Tax abatements essentially phase in property taxes for new buildings, new equipment or both to help the company offset start-up costs such as infrastructure and employee training.
On June 1, council members gave tentative approval to designating a portion of German Township as an economic revitalization area — another prerequisite for offering abatements.
Greater Columbus Economic Development Corp. President Jason Hester describes the newly expanded revitalization area as “basically the four sides of Exit 76” from Interstate 65. But more detailed descriptions describe it as running on both sides of U.S. 31, with West Larea Avenue near Heritage Heights to the south, and County Road 900N to the north.
For the complete story, see Thursday’s Republic.
