Biomet Tax Abatement Passes Public Hearing
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jordan Fouts-
Company representatives last month requested the 10-year phase-in of taxes on capital investment, including the acquisition and improvement of two parcels of land, and on new manufacturing equipment.
Biomet plans $40.5 million in capital investments and $11.25 million in payroll over the next five years. The project will see the development of four programs including manufacturing technology and patient outreach.
The company expects to hire about 30 people each year for the next five years for a total of 150 new jobs.
The tax relief has the support of the Kosciusko County Economic Development Corp. and the county Redevelopment Commission. No one spoke against it during the hearing, though council member Jim Moyer said he would be more comfortable with a shorter period, considering “the financial situation we’re looking at.”
Councilmen Jon Fussle and Larry Teghtmeyer said they want to support the abatement to show that the county is economically aggressive and supportive of manufacturing.
“The message we’re sending to big companies is that we’re serious,” Teghtmeyer said. “I’m really grateful they are coming to us as a partner.”
A total of 257 new jobs and $69 million in capital investment in the county have been announced in the first quarter of 2014, KEDCo President George Robertson told council. He said an estimated 170 additional jobs will be created in segments such as restaurants and hospitality as a result.
He added that KEDCo is close to making two announcements, one for a development in the northern part of the county and one in the south, and are looking at four more pending prospects.
Also Thursday, council approved a full-time position for Helen Brown, a county healthcare worker who is responsible for Medicaid reimbursement. At $8 per shot, the county Health Department has received $50,000 through Medicaid since 2012, said Administrator Bob Weaver.
Brown has been a part-time employee since 2007 and will begin full-time at a salary of $24,800 May 5. Before approving the position, council discussed the cost and ways to cover it, such as grants, as well as alternatives such as paying an outside company for Medicaid billing.
A billing company, which would keep close to half of the reimbursement amount, would cost a lot more than the full-time wage, County Administrator Ron Robinson commented. He also noted that “this type of person is hard to come by.”
Robinson also told council that the final phase of improvements to Old 30, between Zimmer Road and CR 350W, will begin May 21. The road will remain open though flaggers will be out on occasion.
Near the end of the meeting, Fussle suggested the county look into broadcasting meetings live on its website in the interests of transparency and accommodation. He said he will take the suggestion to county commissioners, though Council President Bob Sanders first asked if he was saying council isn’t transparent enough.
Sanders said he would rather people cared enough to attend meetings than have the county pay to broadcast so they can sit at home “on their heinies” watching them.[[In-content Ad]]
Company representatives last month requested the 10-year phase-in of taxes on capital investment, including the acquisition and improvement of two parcels of land, and on new manufacturing equipment.
Biomet plans $40.5 million in capital investments and $11.25 million in payroll over the next five years. The project will see the development of four programs including manufacturing technology and patient outreach.
The company expects to hire about 30 people each year for the next five years for a total of 150 new jobs.
The tax relief has the support of the Kosciusko County Economic Development Corp. and the county Redevelopment Commission. No one spoke against it during the hearing, though council member Jim Moyer said he would be more comfortable with a shorter period, considering “the financial situation we’re looking at.”
Councilmen Jon Fussle and Larry Teghtmeyer said they want to support the abatement to show that the county is economically aggressive and supportive of manufacturing.
“The message we’re sending to big companies is that we’re serious,” Teghtmeyer said. “I’m really grateful they are coming to us as a partner.”
A total of 257 new jobs and $69 million in capital investment in the county have been announced in the first quarter of 2014, KEDCo President George Robertson told council. He said an estimated 170 additional jobs will be created in segments such as restaurants and hospitality as a result.
He added that KEDCo is close to making two announcements, one for a development in the northern part of the county and one in the south, and are looking at four more pending prospects.
Also Thursday, council approved a full-time position for Helen Brown, a county healthcare worker who is responsible for Medicaid reimbursement. At $8 per shot, the county Health Department has received $50,000 through Medicaid since 2012, said Administrator Bob Weaver.
Brown has been a part-time employee since 2007 and will begin full-time at a salary of $24,800 May 5. Before approving the position, council discussed the cost and ways to cover it, such as grants, as well as alternatives such as paying an outside company for Medicaid billing.
A billing company, which would keep close to half of the reimbursement amount, would cost a lot more than the full-time wage, County Administrator Ron Robinson commented. He also noted that “this type of person is hard to come by.”
Robinson also told council that the final phase of improvements to Old 30, between Zimmer Road and CR 350W, will begin May 21. The road will remain open though flaggers will be out on occasion.
Near the end of the meeting, Fussle suggested the county look into broadcasting meetings live on its website in the interests of transparency and accommodation. He said he will take the suggestion to county commissioners, though Council President Bob Sanders first asked if he was saying council isn’t transparent enough.
Sanders said he would rather people cared enough to attend meetings than have the county pay to broadcast so they can sit at home “on their heinies” watching them.[[In-content Ad]]
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