Abatement is a good deal for Jay

To the editor:

I have read a couple of letters to the editor in the last few weeks in The Commercial Review about the proposed wind farm in Jay County.

As a farmer, lifelong Jay County resident and former Jay County Commissioner and council member, I have seen several projects come to Jay County seeking a tax abatement — the Bluff Point project, which was approved, some confined feeding operations and other industries that have sought to locate in Jay County.

Let me start by saying I believe Jay County Council should approve the tax abatement for Scout Clean Energy’s proposed Bitter Ridge Wind Farm.

Here are some reasons why:

•My brother and I received a tax abatement from Jay County on a layer house in 1999. This investment by us and the county has helped sustain our business and keep jobs on the farm. I believe we can give a little to receive much more. Some would say we are giving way too much. I don’t believe so.

•The council earlier this year amended our rules to state that in order to grant a tax abatement, the company must make a substantial investment in the county. The threshold was set at $25 million. I think $150 million meets that requirement.

•Also, with the $14 million-plus in taxes over the 25-year life of the project plus the $1.5 million in economic development payments, the county will have the ability to invest in all of Jay County. The plan commission has made the recommendation of where that money should be spent.

If given the opportunity to trade $1 for $5, I would say yes. That  is why I support a tax abatement for Scout Clean Energy.

Jim Zimmerman

Rural Redkey