Heckman Bindery Granted 5-Year Tax Abatement

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By Matthew Weigelt, Times-Union Staff Writer-

NORTH MANCHESTER -ÊHeckman Bindery Inc., Sycamore Street, North Manchester, will be granted a retroactive tax abatement on $350,000 worth of equipment purchased earlier this year.

North Manchester town council unanimously approved the request Wednesday. The abatement will span five years.

Heckman's current library binding business is "maturing," and the company is moving into another binding area, said Matt Mize, a controller at Heckman Bindery.

"We are really aggressive and looking to grow this," he said.

The company's new business exploration will not increase employment soon, although no layoffs are expected, vice president of operations Bill DeWitt said.

Councilman Bill Hix reminded the two representatives that a tax abatement is an incentive, and they had invested in the equipment already.

DeWitt and Mize blamed bad leadership last year for the retroactive nature of their request.

Mize played off a consultant's presentation on befriending current business.

North Manchester should strive to keep current businesses in town, James P. Klausmeier, a consultant with Pflum, Klausmeier & Gehrum Consultants, Indianapolis, said. It's easier than attracting new business.

Council vice president Stan Escott agreed with the importance of helping local businesses. Heckman Bindery has been in North Manchester for 70 years.

Also, the council unanimously approved the comprehensive master plan presented by consultants from Pflum, Klausmeier & Gehrum and Rundell Ernstberger Associates, LLC, Muncie.

The North Manchester plan commission recommended the master plan to the town council.

The plan is a "foundation and a vision" for North Manchester, Klausmeier said.

In other business, the town council:

• Announced the safety board meeting, involving a case of alleged insubordination against North Manchester police chief Linda L. Learned, was moved from 4 p.m. today to 7 p.m. in the Public Safety Complex conference room.

• Announced hydrant flushing during the week of Sept. 23.

• Announced the tentative dates of Oct. 18 or 19 for fall cleanup. [[In-content Ad]]

NORTH MANCHESTER -ÊHeckman Bindery Inc., Sycamore Street, North Manchester, will be granted a retroactive tax abatement on $350,000 worth of equipment purchased earlier this year.

North Manchester town council unanimously approved the request Wednesday. The abatement will span five years.

Heckman's current library binding business is "maturing," and the company is moving into another binding area, said Matt Mize, a controller at Heckman Bindery.

"We are really aggressive and looking to grow this," he said.

The company's new business exploration will not increase employment soon, although no layoffs are expected, vice president of operations Bill DeWitt said.

Councilman Bill Hix reminded the two representatives that a tax abatement is an incentive, and they had invested in the equipment already.

DeWitt and Mize blamed bad leadership last year for the retroactive nature of their request.

Mize played off a consultant's presentation on befriending current business.

North Manchester should strive to keep current businesses in town, James P. Klausmeier, a consultant with Pflum, Klausmeier & Gehrum Consultants, Indianapolis, said. It's easier than attracting new business.

Council vice president Stan Escott agreed with the importance of helping local businesses. Heckman Bindery has been in North Manchester for 70 years.

Also, the council unanimously approved the comprehensive master plan presented by consultants from Pflum, Klausmeier & Gehrum and Rundell Ernstberger Associates, LLC, Muncie.

The North Manchester plan commission recommended the master plan to the town council.

The plan is a "foundation and a vision" for North Manchester, Klausmeier said.

In other business, the town council:

• Announced the safety board meeting, involving a case of alleged insubordination against North Manchester police chief Linda L. Learned, was moved from 4 p.m. today to 7 p.m. in the Public Safety Complex conference room.

• Announced hydrant flushing during the week of Sept. 23.

• Announced the tentative dates of Oct. 18 or 19 for fall cleanup. [[In-content Ad]]

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