01-14-08 Community and Economic Development Committee

Home Browse Search

Community and Economic Development Committee January 14, 2008 Page 4 Council Member Puzzello made a motion, seconded by Council Member White that Bill No. 08-03 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Bill No. 08-04: Declaratory Resolution fora 6-Year Real Property Tax Abatement for Ryan Fire Protection, Inc. located at 3950 William Richardson Court Council Member Dieter called for a presentation on Bill No. 08-04 which is a request from Ryan Fire Protection, Inc. fora 6- year real property tax abatement for the property located at 3950 William Richardson Court. Bob Mathia, Economic Development Assistant Director, reviewed his report dated December 17, 2007 (copy attached). He noted that the petitioner intends to construct a 30,000 square foot building which will have an estimated cost of $1,103,650. Over the six (6) year period, the petitioner will pay $93,552 in taxes, with $132,786 being abated over this period of time. Fifteen (15) new full-time permanent jobs will be created in the first year who will have an estimated payroll of $904,000. Seventeen (17) existing, permanent, full-time jobs will be maintained which have an annual payroll of $1,160,000. Mr. Mathia stated that the project meets the qualifications fora 6-year real property tax abatement under Section 2-82 of the South Bend Municipal Code addressing "Industrial Development City-Wide". Jay Walters, a Site Selection Specialist, with Bingham Economic Development, located in Noblesville, Indiana made the formal presentation. He stated that the petitioner has three (3) facilities located in Indiana. The South Bend facility serves northern Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan. With the abatement they will be able to double their workforce. He noted that the facility will also have the opportunity for expansion up to an additional 50,000 square feet. Council Member White inquired about the response of the petitioner to question # 16 which inquires about full-time and part-time minority employees. Mr. Walters stated that they plan to work with Workforce Development and be a part of the state training program. They. are a union shop and will also work with those representatives. He added that he will provide additional information on minority recruitment. In response to a question from Council Member Puzzello, Mr. Walters stated that the petitioner is a leader in the engineering, design and construction of fire prevention systems, especially fire sprinkler systems throughout the country. Dr. Varner inquired about the percentage of abatement to which Mr. Mathia stated he utilizes the state law percentages.