1/23/12 Commissioners sign off on enterprise zone agreement with Berlin business

  • By Nick Sabo
  • January 23, 2012
  • 329
                        
SUMMARY: 50 percent, 10 year tax abatement approved for expansion of food distribution business The Holmes County Commissioners Monday Jan. 23 approved a tax abatement for a Berlin company expanding its food distribution business. Commissioners aproved a 10 year, 50 percent tax abatement on new construction for a estimated $3.72 million, 60,000 square foot facility planned by Troyer Cheese. Holmes County Economic Development Council executive director Sean Starlin said Troyer Cheese plans to build the new facility to the west of its current location near the intersection of state Route 39 and County Road 77. According to the enterprise zone agreement entered into with the county, the company expects the expansion to result in eight new full time-, and two part time-, jobs over the next three years. Starlin said he believes the new facility will have a positive impact on the community, helping grow Troyer Cheese’s existing business and creating new employment opportunities. “I think the (employment) projections are pretty modest,” Starlin said. “I don’t think they’ll have any problems meeting those numbers.” Commissioner Rob Ault said although the tax abatement cuts in half new potential tax revenue, it still represents “50 percent more than what we had”. A further positive, Ault said, is that the abatement is helping a local business grow. “I see it as a win-win,” Ault said. “We like to see our home grown business grow...We want to keep our jobs here and our people working.” Starlin said the abatement required a relocation waiver from the Ohio Department of Development because the expansion crosses township lines from Berlin Township into Hardy Township, requiring trustees from both to sign off on the agreement. In other business, commissioners said they expect to award a contract to close the Holmes County Landfill as early as Monday, Jan. 30. The selection process is down to two of 13 companies that bid for the contract: Fechko Excavating, Inc. of Medina, and Ryan Incorporated Central of Janesville, Wisc. Of the two, Fechko has the low bid at $2,014,321. Ryan Incorporated Central’s bid came in at $2,168,658. The two bids were the lowest of the 13 submitted, with the highest bid coming in at $2.98 million. Commissioner Joe Miller said the contractors will meet with commissioners this week before a final decision is made. Ron Zitek, with North Pointe Engineering, also provided commissioners with information that will assist in the selection process, Miller said. North Pointe has provided engineering services for the landfill closure. Commissioner Ray Eyler said the commissioners’ decision will have more to do with which contractor is the best fit for the job than the bid amounts. Eyler stressed that the county wants the job done right the first time. The commissioners were further visited Monday by County Commissioners Association of Ohio (CCAO) executive director Larry L. Long and CCAO senior policy analyst John Leutz. Long and Leutz discussed upcoming legislation that may affect the way 9-1-1 is funded as well as new legislation being pushed by the CCAO regarding indigent defense. The next business meeting of the Holmes County Commissioners will be held Monday, Jan. 30.


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