Kosciusko Redevelopment Commission OKs Louis Dreyfus Abatement Resolution
By Lasca Randels
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — The first order of business at the Kosciusko County Redevelopment Commission meeting held Thursday, July 9, was the swearing in of commission member Mike Metzger.
The oath of office was administered by County Auditor Michelle Puckett.
Attorney Steve Snyder appeared on behalf of Louis Dreyfus Agricultural Industries. In 2006 Louis Dreyfus obtained TIF approval for their plant in Claypool, Snyder said, and over the years they have obtained a number of tax abatements for additional improvements beyond the 2006 improvements.
In 2006 the Redevelopment Commission adopted a resolution saying they approved of the tax abatement in that area.
Snyder said it’s unclear if official approval came with each additional tax abatement.
He requested approval for each of the tax abatements applications that had been made. This includes abatements made in 2006, 2003, 2017 and 2019.
The resolution was approved by the Redevelopment Commission.
Upon review of several TIF districts by the Kosciusko County Redevelopment Commission, it was agreed that there is no excess assessed value at this time to release to other units in the county, as the AV will be used for bond repayments and projects that are either currently in the works or are being planned for the future.
A TIF Excess AV certification to this effect was approved and will be sent to the state Friday.
Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation CEO Alan Tio provided an update on several items, including a small business relief fund with money available for zero-interest loans to help companies with business recovery and job retention.
KEDCo recently launched a Small Business Summer Innovation Series, which includes five one-hour sessions online to help business owners, business leaders and community leaders develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
KEDCo has partnered with TMap for talent recruitment and a dual career initiative. Tio explained that TMAP locates people outside the region who meet local job requirements and are willing to relocate and connects them with local employers.
There is also a dual career initiative, Tio said, where KEDCo will assist in making career connections for the spouse or partner of a person who is coming to the area for an employment opportunity.
Development of workforce housing, which is market-based housing, within driving distance to large employers in the county, is also being looked into, Tio said.
KEDCo is working to identify sites in the county for housing development.
Tio said they have discovered several areas that are just outside of town municipal boundaries and said this would be an opportunity for county commissioners, county council or the redevelopment commission to work together with KEDCo.
Other matters:
- County Surveyor Mike Kissinger gave an update for the county-regulated drain improvement project in the Claypool area. Phase 1 has been completed. Bids have been received for phase 2 and are under estimate. Kissinger will return to the October meeting with a further update.
- The next quarterly meeting will be held at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 8.