Biomet Abatement Approved, 278 Jobs To Be Created
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Daniel [email protected]
As reported in the July 9 edition of the Times-Union, Biomet was seeking a tax abatement for fiscal years 2011 and 2012.
Biomet appeared before the council during its July 8 meeting to request a public hearing for the abatement.
Attorney Jay Rigdon was at Thursday night's meeting to represent Biomet at the public hearing.
The $26 million capital improvement project will include funding for building improvements, machinery and equipment, investments in research and development and tooling and information technologies.
"We are looking between now and 2012 to add 278 jobs to the Warsaw facility. That would be part of our establishing a global center of excellence here at Biomet in Warsaw," said Bill Kolter, Biomet's corporate vice president of public affairs. "That would also include moving some jobs related to our trauma business from New Jersey to Warsaw."
The expansion will also keep 82 jobs in the county.
Biomet is not providing any sort of timeline as to when the projects or job expansion will start.
Kolter thanked the county council for their support in aiding the job and facilities expansion.
"The Kosciusko County Council has long been supportive of Biomet's efforts and have been a great partner in helping us service our customers, their patients and the community. We're grateful for their continued support," said Kolter.
The council quickly approved the abatement 5-0-1 with councilman Brad Tandy abstaining due to his employment at Biomet.
Councilwoman Charlene Knispel wasn't at the meeting.
"We're committed to being a top tier employer in Kosciusko County and expanding our presence here," Kolter said.[[In-content Ad]]One company was approved for a tax abatement while another moved a step in that direction Thursday night at the Kosciusko County Council meeting.
Midwest Rake, represented by attorney Steve Snyder, requested approval to move ahead with a public hearing on a tax abatement at the council's September meeting.
Midwest Rake is a Warsaw-based company that makes professional-grade hand tools as well other items.
Snyder explained to the council that the company created Cass Holdings to purchase land for the company.
The company decided on the site that was formerly R-Vision Monaco Coach at 2666 S. Country Club Road, Warsaw.
At one time, R-Vision employed as many as 450 people before the recession caused the facility to shut down in 2009.
According to Snyder, the 60-acre site has seven buildings on it.
Midwest Rake's plan, according to Snyder, is to use two of the seven buildings then lease or sell the other five.
The buildings range in size from 64,000 up to 81,000 square feet.
Snyder said within four years of an approved tax abatement, Midwest Rake would anticipate hiring 20 more people.
Midwest Rake currently has 24 full-time employees as well as 13 part-time employees.
Snyder said by repairing the buildings on the site, installing new wiring and upgrading the electrical and lighting systems, the potential is for 250 new jobs with all seven buildings occupied.
"This is unique for a tax abatement," said Snyder on two different occasions.
Midwest Rake will be asking for a 10-year abatement.
The council unanimously approved the resolution asking for a public hearing.
"This is in my backyard," said Councilman John Kinsey. "What an improvement this will be."
After a notice is published, the public hearing will be held at the council's Sept. 9 meeting.
After providing the council with proper paperwork, an abatement was approved for Louis Drefyus Thursday night as well.
Councilman Larry Teghtmeyer said that after looking over the information Louis Dreyfus provided, he felt everything was in order to approve the abatement.
The council unanimously approved the abatement.
In other business, the council approved two additional appropriations.
The county health department was given $20,000 for its personal health care supplies fund which covers vaccinations.
The coroner's office was given an additional $30,000 for x-ray and lab expenses.
County Coroner John Sadler appeared before the council and said the request was due to the increase in death investigations by his department.
"What's going to require forensic exams?" asked Councilman Bob Sanders.
Sadler explained they are for homicides, suicides and, especially for Kosciusko County, overdose deaths.
"It comes down to knowledge and instinct," said Sadler in terms of initiating a forensic exam.
Sadler noted that the overdose deaths have rose since he started.
"When I started there were two drug overdoses a year," said Sadler. "Now there are 20, 25 every year."
During budget reviews for towns and townships, Teghtmeyer made a motion that the board approve a non-binding recommendation that the towns and townships flatline or minimally increase their budgets.
County Administrator Ron Robinson told the council that repairs to the sidewalk around the old courthouse will start next week.
Robinson also informed the council he received a letter from the State Department of Transportation giving the county $1,582,830 for Phase 4 of the Western Route Project.
The council will hold two budget hearings Aug. 23 at 6 p.m. and Aug. 26 at 7 p.m.
Council members are Sanders, Kinsey, Teghtmeyer, Tom Anglin, Harold Jones, Charlene Knispel and Brad Tandy.
Knispel wasn't present during Thursday's meeting.
Latest News
E-Editions
As reported in the July 9 edition of the Times-Union, Biomet was seeking a tax abatement for fiscal years 2011 and 2012.
Biomet appeared before the council during its July 8 meeting to request a public hearing for the abatement.
Attorney Jay Rigdon was at Thursday night's meeting to represent Biomet at the public hearing.
The $26 million capital improvement project will include funding for building improvements, machinery and equipment, investments in research and development and tooling and information technologies.
"We are looking between now and 2012 to add 278 jobs to the Warsaw facility. That would be part of our establishing a global center of excellence here at Biomet in Warsaw," said Bill Kolter, Biomet's corporate vice president of public affairs. "That would also include moving some jobs related to our trauma business from New Jersey to Warsaw."
The expansion will also keep 82 jobs in the county.
Biomet is not providing any sort of timeline as to when the projects or job expansion will start.
Kolter thanked the county council for their support in aiding the job and facilities expansion.
"The Kosciusko County Council has long been supportive of Biomet's efforts and have been a great partner in helping us service our customers, their patients and the community. We're grateful for their continued support," said Kolter.
The council quickly approved the abatement 5-0-1 with councilman Brad Tandy abstaining due to his employment at Biomet.
Councilwoman Charlene Knispel wasn't at the meeting.
"We're committed to being a top tier employer in Kosciusko County and expanding our presence here," Kolter said.[[In-content Ad]]One company was approved for a tax abatement while another moved a step in that direction Thursday night at the Kosciusko County Council meeting.
Midwest Rake, represented by attorney Steve Snyder, requested approval to move ahead with a public hearing on a tax abatement at the council's September meeting.
Midwest Rake is a Warsaw-based company that makes professional-grade hand tools as well other items.
Snyder explained to the council that the company created Cass Holdings to purchase land for the company.
The company decided on the site that was formerly R-Vision Monaco Coach at 2666 S. Country Club Road, Warsaw.
At one time, R-Vision employed as many as 450 people before the recession caused the facility to shut down in 2009.
According to Snyder, the 60-acre site has seven buildings on it.
Midwest Rake's plan, according to Snyder, is to use two of the seven buildings then lease or sell the other five.
The buildings range in size from 64,000 up to 81,000 square feet.
Snyder said within four years of an approved tax abatement, Midwest Rake would anticipate hiring 20 more people.
Midwest Rake currently has 24 full-time employees as well as 13 part-time employees.
Snyder said by repairing the buildings on the site, installing new wiring and upgrading the electrical and lighting systems, the potential is for 250 new jobs with all seven buildings occupied.
"This is unique for a tax abatement," said Snyder on two different occasions.
Midwest Rake will be asking for a 10-year abatement.
The council unanimously approved the resolution asking for a public hearing.
"This is in my backyard," said Councilman John Kinsey. "What an improvement this will be."
After a notice is published, the public hearing will be held at the council's Sept. 9 meeting.
After providing the council with proper paperwork, an abatement was approved for Louis Drefyus Thursday night as well.
Councilman Larry Teghtmeyer said that after looking over the information Louis Dreyfus provided, he felt everything was in order to approve the abatement.
The council unanimously approved the abatement.
In other business, the council approved two additional appropriations.
The county health department was given $20,000 for its personal health care supplies fund which covers vaccinations.
The coroner's office was given an additional $30,000 for x-ray and lab expenses.
County Coroner John Sadler appeared before the council and said the request was due to the increase in death investigations by his department.
"What's going to require forensic exams?" asked Councilman Bob Sanders.
Sadler explained they are for homicides, suicides and, especially for Kosciusko County, overdose deaths.
"It comes down to knowledge and instinct," said Sadler in terms of initiating a forensic exam.
Sadler noted that the overdose deaths have rose since he started.
"When I started there were two drug overdoses a year," said Sadler. "Now there are 20, 25 every year."
During budget reviews for towns and townships, Teghtmeyer made a motion that the board approve a non-binding recommendation that the towns and townships flatline or minimally increase their budgets.
County Administrator Ron Robinson told the council that repairs to the sidewalk around the old courthouse will start next week.
Robinson also informed the council he received a letter from the State Department of Transportation giving the county $1,582,830 for Phase 4 of the Western Route Project.
The council will hold two budget hearings Aug. 23 at 6 p.m. and Aug. 26 at 7 p.m.
Council members are Sanders, Kinsey, Teghtmeyer, Tom Anglin, Harold Jones, Charlene Knispel and Brad Tandy.
Knispel wasn't present during Thursday's meeting.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092