A local company’s request for a real estate tax abatement will be sent to the city commission after its approval by board members of the East Central Kansas Regional Development Association. The issue was discussed during the board’s meeting Friday morning.
The request from Vektek, Inc. came to the board through the RDA finance committee and comes as the company is expanding operations in Emporia by adding approximately 10,500 square feet of space at a cost of $550,000. The purpose of the expansion is to allow the company to add machinery so it can grow in the hydraulic/pneumatic clamp device market.
According to RDA President Kent Heermann, the company will add six to eight new machines and has been hiring personnel to run them. Twelve people have been hired since last fall, and the company plans to hire five more.
“In reviewing the qualifications, their investment meets the threshold according to the (tax incentive) policy,” Heermann said. “The number of employees meets the threshold of 10 percent of their employment. The average salary of $16 per hour exceeds the average of $31,000.”
The board voted unanimously to send the request for the 10-year real estate tax abatement to the city commission with the recommendation to approve it.
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
BATTER UP !
What other company is waiting to get to bat on tax exemptions?
At least vektek meets the salary qualifications and is hiring more workers.
And they are not asking for any land.
I think everyone saw this coming except the city commissioners.
November 19, 2011 at 8:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
For a Red State we sure do like socialism.
I'm with Steve, at least the they bought their land and pay a decent wage for the area. Much more deserving than that crook Smoots.
November 19, 2011 at 11:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
Will the 550,000 be exempt only?? Is expanding,or has expanded???The way I read this is, they -will- be adding an additional 10,000 sq ft of bld in the future. Vektek has been an asset to Emporia , one that has quietly grown..
November 19, 2011 at 11:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
doubt_it (anonymous) says...
NEXT??????
Who's going to be 3rd in line? Open a can of worms, and out comes businesses whoop A$$
November 20, 2011 at 8:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
This is better than 9 9 9, it's jobs jobs jobs.
November 20, 2011 at 8:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
We need more jobs and less federal control.
http://www.newswithviews.com/baldwin/...
November 20, 2011 at 8:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Did I not state, during the Fanestil, discussion, that approving a Fanestil tax abatement/Bailout, the City Commission and their handlers the RDA was in essence opening a can of " Worms " that the taxpayers of Emporia could not afford to be opened !!!
K.B. Thomas, what makes you think, the RDA making the City Commission' s decisions for them, does not amount to the same thing as " Governmental Control or Control of Government ", especially when the taxpayers/PEOPLE will have absolutely no say, what so ever, in this costly " Can of Worms " decision ?
Those Company's/Businesses that want to expand or relocate should do so at their own cost and risk . With little or no help/bailout from any or all the other property taxpayers. Why should the rest of the property owners/taxpayers be forced to pay for a Company/Business free tax ride, in the form of a tax abatement.
This sort of " Bad leadership decision makeing " gives a whole new meaning to " Free Enterprise " ! Only thing is it is not " Free ", as the rest of the taxpayers are going to be " Paying " for loss of property tax revenues given to those who receive the " Free ride " in the form of a Property Tax Abatement !
Could " Batter " number three in the line up be, Dolly/Hostess or possibly Tyson or any other Company or Business !
Does anyone feel like they oar on a sled on that proverbial " Downward plummeting SLIPPERY SLOPE " to Oblivion or Ruin ?
Or do you feel like you are riding on a " Runaway Train " being engineered, by the RDA/City Commission, with no way to stop or reverse its momentum ?
The RDA and City Commission has become an " Uncontrollable Monster " that is eating Emporia taxpayer funds and taxpayers to the point of extinction !
JMO
November 21, 2011 at 8:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Hmmmmmmmm, Just thinking !
Could the renovation/conversion of Kenyon Hall, by Mitchell/Markowitz be the next " Batter " in the " Property Tax Abatement " line up ??
Hmmmmmmm, Could be !
November 21, 2011 at 2:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
methusla,
No, I think the next one will be a new fiber optic company coming to Emporia. Something that is really needed and has already brought some people to town. I hope they "get er done" because it will mean a huge investment in our area, and in turn it may bring more techno related jobs here.
November 22, 2011 at 6:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )