Lund discusses tax incentives with city council

If everything goes well, the Marion County Economic Development Office may be requesting $200,000 in tax incentives to bring approximately 600 jobs to Lebanon.

On May 9, Marion County Economic Development Director Tom Lund spoke with the Lebanon City Council. Mayor Gary Crenshaw said he invited Lund to address the council since they will begin preparing the 2011-12 budget soon.

Lund said the city has already made commitments of up to $75,000 for two factories expected to open this year, Fuel Total Systems and Pacific Dye Cut Industries.

"Those are the only commitments out there right now," he said.

Lund added that he is working with a consultant for a company out of Cleveland and an existing industry is thinking of expanding, he said.

"These are projects that we feel fairly good about," Lund said.

If both Fuel Total Systems and Pacific Dye Industries meet the requirements for their incentives, and the other two projects come through, the economic development office may be requesting up to $200,000 in incentives.

In a phone interview, Lund said if all four projects come through, it could mean up to 600 new jobs. He said he did not know the name of the Cleveland company at this time because he had been working with a consultant on the company's behalf. He said it was a cooperative effort of some Japanese companies.

With regard to the possible local expansion, Lund declined to identify the company at this time because the project has not been completely confirmed.

At the meeting, Lund told the council that his office is also in contact with some other companies, but he is not as confident that they would be moving here. He also said that the city may want to look at creating development incentives for the downtown/Main Street area.

In other city business;

- The city approved a $3,000 request from the Marion County Public Library to assist with the purchase of new computers. The library made a similar request to the Marion County Fiscal Court, which postponed a decision until its May 19 meeting.

- The city approved a renewal of its dental insurance plan. The city pays the premium for its employees. Under the current plan, the city pays $16.49 per month per employee. Under the new plan, the individual rate will increase to $17.48 per month per employee. The city has 50 employees.

- The council approved the second reading of an ordinance annexing 1795 Campbellsville Highway.