Industrial tax abatement district approved, grant money accepted
Meeting Highlights
Council approves creation of Industrial Development District
To further the development of the business and technology park the city has been planning, the council voted 6-1 in favor of creating a special development district that could mean up to 50% of local taxes will be forgiven for manufacturing businesses that build in the park.
Approval of the district does not guarantee tax abatement for businesses in the district but creates the process for them to apply and bargain with the council to attain that tax abatement.
The council and city manager discussed the district and development of the park with some business developers who attended the public hearing on the matter.
Councilor Will Lytle was the lone vote against the district later in the meeting. Before the vote, he stated that he understood the reason for pursuing the district, but that he felt communities would be better served by not engaging in a “race to the bottom” to attract businesses.
Hancock City Manager report
It was a pretty quiet meeting, really. But the city manager’s report is usually a good way of checking in on the odds and ends going on in the city. This week City Manager Mary Babcock updated the board on the winners of the Hancock Holiday Home Decorating contest, new grant possibilities, and the completed upgrades to the campground bathroom.
Other notes:
The council unanimously approved a 2.75% wage increase for non-union represented city staff.
The council approved acceptance of a $90,000 EGLE grant toward the Hancock Waterfront Shoreline project.
Councilor Rick Freeman Jr. commented on the excellent condition of Quincy Street sidewalks, which is due to a company testing new equipment. City Manager Babcock said the company would also be testing the equipment on some residential streets soon.