Dec. 11—GREENSBURG — Two major development projects were brought to the attention of Greensburg City Council members Tuesday evening when Bryan Robbins, director of the Economic Development Corporation, brought tax abatement requests to the City Council’s attention.
Robbins was joined by developer Matt Whitaker whose abatement request was for a 100-room hotel project on Veterans Way.
It was reported that the hotel will be a four-story Fairfield Inn, owned by Marriott, employing 15 to 20 employees at $19 to $20 an hour. Whitaker said the project was a $14 million investment and would be comparable to the Fairfield Inn behind the Texas Roadhouse in Columbus.
A tax credit is a reduction or exemption from taxes granted by a government for a specified period, usually to encourage certain activities, such as investment in capital goods. Whitaker received a ten-year reduction.
Robbins also applied for a rebate on property owned by Indianapolis-based Jumping Bison LLC in the newly created Economic Revitalization Area north of the city.
Robbins was joined by Rick Hall of the Barnes and Thornberg law firm and Matt Ehinger of the IceMiller law firm, who were there to answer questions about the proposed facility and the many requested discounts.
It was explained that Jumping Bison LLC wants to build a multi-building data center on about 340 acres north of the city.
According to Wikipedia, a data center is a building, a dedicated space within a building, or a group of buildings that house computer systems and associated components, such as telecommunications and storage systems.
Ehinger, representing Jumping Bison LLC, explained that the project will be developed in two phases, each representing $400 million in investments.
The number of employees was not specified, but it was stated that each would be paid 125% of the average wage in Decatur County.
Council members unanimously approved the requested reductions.
Contact Bill Rethlake at 812-651-0876 or email bill.rethlake@greensburgdailynews.com
