The Kansas Bioscience Authority has approved a $300,000 grant to Renewable Energy Group, the Iowa company building a $70 million biodiesel plant in Emporia.
The Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas announced the grant Friday. One of the bioscience authority’s stated goals is to invest in existing Kansas bioscience companies or out-of-state ones looking to relocate.
Earlier this year, REG also received a 10-year property tax break on the new Emporia plant and its equipment. REG agreed to pay the city $402,000 and help with the needed infrastructure.
The plant is projected to add 30 jobs to the community with a payroll of $1,350,000. Those goals must be met before the local tax breaks go into effect.
daveedailey (anonymous) says...
I am so happy they are coming with the big tax break and I am so happy my property taxes are going up. Just tickles the you know what out of me!!!!
July 18, 2007 at 12:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dayjob55 (anonymous) says...
So who pays the taxes if the goals aren't met to qualify for the tax breaks? And who pays them until the goals are met? Why do I have the feeling it's the little guy (AGAIN)? I'm glad there is new industry coming to town but what assurances do I have that any local labor in construction will be used or that local people will be hired? Besides taking up land here in Lyon county can someone please show me what this is doing for the little guy? All I'm seeing right now is big breaks for big companies when too many people here are unemployed and too many companies are going under.
July 18, 2007 at 2:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
daveedailey (anonymous) says...
I believe that even if the goals are not met, we, the people of Emporia will pay the price. I have yet to see where our commissioners and manager have tried to help and protect the little guy or company with any tax breaks or reprieve of any kind. The sad part, is the little guy is the one that is more apt to follow through with any deals made. Too bad the comissioners and city manager are only looking out for their own benefit. The other articles on this, it is a deffinite that all of our taxes, utilities, waste disposal, etc are going up. I still believe more and more people will leave this town or walk out on home loans because the average joe is not getting the pay raises needed to go along with the hikes in living here. The pay scale that they show is not the common worker but also includes the upper guys and ceo's that will not even be living here.
July 19, 2007 at 8:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )