Council Approves Tax Abatement for Sportula Maker
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jordan Fouts-
Councilman Jim Moyer recommended the shorter-term abatement for new equipment, based on the value of the investment, and other council members agreed.
Josh Wildman, CEO of the maker of Sportula custom-engraved grill accessories, first approached council in August saying they plan to add a 3D laser printer for wood.
Council President Bob Sanders said before the vote that the company is welcome to approach council for another abatement when it expands again.
Also Thursday, council heard about a Kosciusko Economic Development Corp. program aimed at attracting new and returning workers to the area. George Robertson, KEDCo president, said the recently announced 4.2 percent unemployment rate – reflecting an extra 700 jobs over last fall – is good for employees but gives employers a smaller pool to choose from.
Similar campaigns have found success in other states, he said, noting that KEDCo plans to focus on both former residents and those who live in places that lost manufacturing jobs.
One of the main components of the Come Back to Kosciusko campaign is a website showing job-seekers what’s available in different fields locally, and allowing them to send out resumes to employers and temp agencies.
He noted if 50 families move back to the area in the next six months, that would be $2.1 million in new salaries.
“Our goal is to target every grandmother in the county already trying to get their grandkids to come back,” Robertson said. “We already have a sales team.”
And council approved a 2015 budget of $527,000 for the county convention and visitors commission – $46,000 higher than this year – reflecting the increased funding of local events and projects the commission has begun doing. The KCCRVC recently supported the Warsaw Air Show, cleanup of the Tippecanoe River and construction of the Syracuse bike trail.[[In-content Ad]]
Councilman Jim Moyer recommended the shorter-term abatement for new equipment, based on the value of the investment, and other council members agreed.
Josh Wildman, CEO of the maker of Sportula custom-engraved grill accessories, first approached council in August saying they plan to add a 3D laser printer for wood.
Council President Bob Sanders said before the vote that the company is welcome to approach council for another abatement when it expands again.
Also Thursday, council heard about a Kosciusko Economic Development Corp. program aimed at attracting new and returning workers to the area. George Robertson, KEDCo president, said the recently announced 4.2 percent unemployment rate – reflecting an extra 700 jobs over last fall – is good for employees but gives employers a smaller pool to choose from.
Similar campaigns have found success in other states, he said, noting that KEDCo plans to focus on both former residents and those who live in places that lost manufacturing jobs.
One of the main components of the Come Back to Kosciusko campaign is a website showing job-seekers what’s available in different fields locally, and allowing them to send out resumes to employers and temp agencies.
He noted if 50 families move back to the area in the next six months, that would be $2.1 million in new salaries.
“Our goal is to target every grandmother in the county already trying to get their grandkids to come back,” Robertson said. “We already have a sales team.”
And council approved a 2015 budget of $527,000 for the county convention and visitors commission – $46,000 higher than this year – reflecting the increased funding of local events and projects the commission has begun doing. The KCCRVC recently supported the Warsaw Air Show, cleanup of the Tippecanoe River and construction of the Syracuse bike trail.[[In-content Ad]]
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