GOSHEN —
Members of the Elkhart County Council approved preliminary tax phase-in agreements Saturday for two Elkhart County-based companies that could bring as many as 80 new jobs to the area.
A tax phase-in is a partial or temporary exemption of a company from having to pay property taxes with the express purpose of stimulating economic development.
ACC Climate Control
First to be approved Saturday was a declaratory resolution supporting an eight-year tax phase-in agreement with the company ACC Climate Control, a mobile air conditioning and heating systems supply company located at 22428 Elkhart East Blvd., Elkhart.
According to County Attorney Craig Buche, ACC Climate Control is currently undergoing a major expansion that promises approximately $920,000 in real estate redevelopment at the Elkhart plant in addition to approximately $3.8 million in new manufacturing equipment, $90,000 in new tooling/retooling equipment, $46,000 in new furniture and fixtures and $140,000 in new computer equipment and software.
“We’ve been very fortunate,” said Scott Hamilton, operations manager for ACC Climate Control. “I see companies closing doors. Well, our company has grown.”
The company has indicated plans to hire approximately 40 new full-time positions in addition to the retention of approximately 51 individuals already employed at the plant. Such hiring is expected to lead to an annual increase in payroll of nearly $1.46 million.
In order to qualify for the tax phase-in agreement, ACC Climate Control has agreed to stay in operation at its Elkhart location for no less than 12 years. Should the company fail to meet its obligations under the phase-in agreement, ACC Climate Control would be forced to repay the county a prorated portion of the total real estate and personal property taxes saved as a result of the tax phase-in agreement.
Final action on the proposed tax phase-in is set for May 19, at which time the County Council will determine whether or not the qualifications for a tax phase-in can be reasonably met by the company.
Champagne Metals LLC
Also approved Saturday was a declaratory resolution supporting a nine-year tax phase-in for Champagne Metals LLC, a metal service center, which plans to operate a facility in the Greenfield Industrial Park in York Township that could bring 39 new full-time positions to the area.
In connection with its new facility, the company has indicated plans to invest approximately $4.9 million in real estate redevelopment and rehabilitation coupled with approximately $5 million in new manufacturing equipment, $85,000 in new furniture and fixtures and $255,000 in new computer equipment and software.
As for the 39 new full-time positions expected, Buche indicated that an annual increase in payroll of nearly $1.8 million can be expected.
As part of its tax phase-in agreement, Champagne Metals LLC has agreed to stay in operation for no less than 12 years at its York Township location or face forfeiture of the agreement.
Final action on the Champagne Metals LLC phase-in agreement has also been set for the council’s May 19 meeting.
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