10/19/12 - The Howell Township Board unanimously approved a tax break for a large manufacturing employer at a special meeting Thursday night. Magna International began rebuilding the local plant following a massive fire in 2010 but then went on to expand it by close to 150,000-square-feet for new and future business. President of Livingston Business Development Associates Fred Dillingham tells WHMI Magna has made significant investments and added 120 jobs at the Atreum facility since the blaze. He says itâs a huge benefit to the community and signifies more than an $11 (m) million investment from the company, which has created hundreds of jobs in the township to date. The board approved the industrial facilities abatement request for a seven-year 50% reduction for both real and personal property taxes and commended the company for its dedication and commitment to the township. However, resident and Democratic Trustee candidate Mike Tipton argued with the board about how the meeting was scheduled and publicized as well as typos on the agenda. He told WHMI the board is granting a tax abatement for a huge corporation at the same time the township is supposedly going broke and the timing is poor. A 3.5-mill request will appear before voters in November help cover substantial water and sewer debt incurred by the township. Township officials responded during the meeting to say it was legally posted and was requested by Magna in order to meet state imposed deadlines. The company paid for the meeting and a public hearing on the abatement was held this past June. Magna is a tier one automotive supplier and the plant in Howell Township is one of 29 facilities located in Michigan. (JM)
↧