July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.

Tyson, others ask to be annexed (6/21/05)

Process to expand Portland underway

By By Rachelle Haughn-

The process of expanding the city’s limits has begun.

Portland City Council members learned Monday evening that a petition to annex about 140 acres — including the Tyson Foods plant — has been submitted to the city.

The triangular section of land includes the Tyson Foods lot, and parcels owned by Portland Economic Development Corporation, including Gym City, and a farm field located east of Tyson owned by Gary Gildersleeve of Cranford, N.J.

The land planned to be annexed is bordered on the south by a railroad track.

Portland Mayor Bruce Hosier said when Tyson began operations in the mid-1990s, company officials understood the land would not be annexed until at least 10 years had elapsed.

Although there is more undeveloped land located south of the railroad tracks and north of county road 100 South which possibly could be annexed, it is not something that is being pursued at this time.

Hosier said only the annexation of the 140 acres is currently being considered because that’s what was petitioned by Tyson, the PEDC and Gildersleeve.

Jay County Development Corporation executive director Robert Quadrozzi said the there are water and sewer lines already running to the land targeted for annexation.

City attorney Bill Hinkle said a public hearing on the proposed expansion of the city limits must be held before the ordinance to annex the land can be adopted.

In other business, the council voted to make a one-time donation of $10,000 to the Portland Foundation to help pay for the construction of Freedom Park.

The park, which is being created to honor local veterans, is currently being built at 229 S. Meridian St. — the former location of Cline-Wilt Lumber Company. Portland Foundation executive director Doug Inman said construction is expected to be completed in 60 to 75 days, with hopes of the park being dedicated sometime near Labor Day.

The project is expected to cost $250,000. Part of the construction is being funded through the sale of bricks, Inman said. So far, 750 bricks have been sold at a cost of $100 each. The rest of the money needed for the park project will be paid by the foundation, Inman said.

Also Monday, the council voted to adopt a resolution to solicit proposals to lease the former Portland Fire Station, located at 110 N. Commerce St.

Continued from page 1

With this resolution, the city will ask those interested in leasing the building to submit a proposal stating what they plan to do with the building and how much they would like to pay to lease it.

The city will have negotiating powers on the terms of the lease, Hinkle said.

The building was last appraised in November of 2003 at amounts of $97,500 and $100,000.

In other business, the council approved three tax abatement requests, and five compliance forms from Portland businesses which have been granted five-year tax abatements.

Based on the recommendations of the Portland Tax Abatement Advisory Committee, the council approved five-year tax abatement requests for Portland businesses Fortco Plastics Inc., 500 Industrial Park Drive, Pennville Custom Cabinetry, 600 E. Votaw St., and Alphabet Inc.-Portland Division, 700 Industrial Park Drive.

Fortco would like to purchase plastic blowmolding equipment and upgrades and secondary support for the machine. Total cost was estimated at $1,433,850.

The new equipment is expected to add three more jobs, with salaries totaling $95,000.

Also, Pennville Custom Cabinetry is requesting an abatement to purchase several items including three finishing booths, a sanding booth and a curing oven. Combined estimated cost is $226,616.

The new equipment is expected to create three to five new jobs, with salaries totaling $60,000 to $100,000.

Stoneridge Inc., the parent company of Alphabet, is requesting an abatement to purchase a wire cutting system at a cost of $247,570. The new equipment will not create any new jobs.

Quadrozzi said this request was sent to the committee to review with another in March.

A tax abatement allows companies to pay taxes in increasing increments over several years, phasing in the additional taxes due on the capital investment.

Compliance forms for FCC (Indiana) Inc., Fullenkamp Machine Inc., Joyce-Dayton Corp.-Portland Division, Portland Forge and Stoneridge Inc., also were approved by the council.

Council members vote yearly on the compliance forms for each abatement.[[In-content Ad]]
PORTLAND WEATHER

Events

November

SU
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
27 28 29 30 31 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30

To Submit an Event Sign in first

Today's Events

No calendar events have been scheduled for today.

250 X 250 AD