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

Vote could lead to new jobs

Portland City Council

By Rachelle [email protected]

A vote could mean 27 new jobs at a Portland industry.

Members of the Portland City Council have approved a tax abatement request for Jay Products, 0086 East 100 North - a move the company says will allow an increase in its workforce.

Salaries for the 27 new jobs are expected to total $779,490.

The request was approved Monday night by the council following a recommendation from the Portland Tax Abatement Advisory Committee, which met prior to the council.

The five-year tax abatement is for $1,039,344 in equipment being moved to Portland from a plant in Blissfield, Mich.

Company officials decided to move some of the equipment and production to Portland because Jay County's business climate is healthier, a local economic development official said.

Bill Bradley, Jay County Development Corporation executive director, said at the Sept. 21 council meeting that the company requested the abatement because the equipment being moved to Portland will be new to the tax rolls.

In other business Monday, council members approved the 2010 budget on final reading.

Council members did not discuss the budget before approval.

The total budget is $8,080,136, and includes funds for the airport, police department, fire department, mayor's office and the street and park department.

The budget was approved by the Jay County Council and likely will be reduced by the Department of Local Government Finance.

Also Monday, council members:

•Voted to hold trick-or-treating on Portland from 6 to 8 p.m. on Halloween - Saturday, Oct. 31.

•Voted to close a portion of Hayes Street for the annual military vehicle show at the Museum of the Soldier.

The street will be closed between East Arch and East Race streets on Oct. 17, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

•Learned that the water office and clerk-treasurer's office at Portland City Hall will be closed on Oct. 15.

City clerk-treasurer Randy Geesaman told council members that the offices will be closed because he and the water office staff will be attending a clerk's conference in Middlebury. Payments may be left in the night deposit on that day, he said.

•Reminded city residents that this is city cleanup week.

All large items, including brush, appliances and furniture, are being picked up on the normal trash routes. Freon should be removed from all appliances.[[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