By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
A company ready to pump some $28 million into its operation in Decatur and bring about well over 200 jobs isn’t going to get a hassle over tax abatements.
And so it was that a request by Champion Homes for a couple of 10-year tax abatements has sailed through Decatur City Council. Rolling through necessary legal hoops, the tax abatements for Champion were given final approval at council’s July 18 meeting.
Plant Manager Adam Oszakiewski (photo) and Adams County Economic Development Director Colton Bickel were on hand for the final green light.
Champion is investing almost $8.5 million in real estate and $19 million-plus in personal property (equipment).
Approximately 100 people, including management, are currently working at the plant. But in time, as it reaches full production, the plant will have some 232 employees, with an average wage of $52,520 per year, according to Oszakiewski.
He pointed out at a previous meeting that approximately one home a day is currently being produced at the plant, “but I think we can do three a day by next year.”
Councilman Matt Dyer, sitting as mayor pro tem, thanked Oszakiewski “for your commitment and investment in our community,” and talked about how Champion’s move into the S.13th St. building has cleaned up the property where All American Homes once operated.
The tax breaks are provided on a sliding scale, with no taxes paid the first year (2024), then 10% of the tax bill is paid the second year, 20% on the third year and so on.
The Champion numbers follow the recent tax abatements granted The Country Butcher, the beef processing facility expected to go into operation here late this year and eventually provide a little over new 100 jobs.
I-O Properties’ investment in the former Dean Foods plant was estimated at more than $16 million.
About the Author
