ANDERSON – The city of Anderson is using $100,000 in food and beverage tax revenue for three economic development projects.
The Anderson City Council approved the additional appropriation for funds that were designated in 2012 for Impact Container, which decided not to locate in Anderson.
The council also approved a preliminary resolution to provide a three-year tax abatement for the new Myers Autoworld and Ford Autoworld for a $500,000 investment in equipment.
Greg Winkler, director of the Anderson Economic Development Department, said Thursday that $40,000 is being provided to Kennedy Tool to reopen its business in the former Pay Less Super Market on Broadway.
Local business owner Ken Kocinski, campaign manager for Kris Ockomon, asked why the city would provide funding to a company that lost their facility in Alexandria on tax sale.
“This is a chance for them to come to Anderson and create 10 to 15 jobs,” Winkler said. “Many companies have gone through tough times. This is a needed investment in north Anderson.”
Winkler said there will be some conditions in the agreement with Kennedy Tool before the funds are released.
Council members approved $39,000 for Purdue University to locate at the Anderson Innovation Center and $21,000 for preliminary design work for a new facility for the Purdue College of Technology and Maker Space.
Winkler said the $39,000 is to enable Purdue University to complete building classroom space at the Anderson Innovation Center, which is located in the former Anderson Tool & Engineering building.
He said the money for the preliminary design work is for the proposed Purdue College of Technology at a site to be determined.
Tax abatement
Myers Autoworld and Ford Autoworld announced in 2013 it was relocating from Broadway to Scatterfield Road, north of the intersection with 32nd Street.
At the time Autoworld President Mary Jamerson said the move would be an estimated investment of $7.5 million in the new dealerships and eventually create up to 30 new jobs.
The grand opening of the dealership is expected in mid-October.
The requested investment is for $500,000 in diagnostic equipment, the creation of 10 to 15 jobs with an estimated annual salary of $600,000.
Final approval of the requested tax abatement is expected at the City Council meeting on Oct. 9.