Columbus, Georgia

Georgia's First Consolidated Government

Post Office Box 1340
Columbus, Georgia, 31902-1340
(706) 653-4013
fax (706) 653-4016

Council Members

Agenda Item # 5



Columbus Consolidated Government

Council Meeting

11/10/2015



Agenda Report # 49



TO: Mayor and Council



SUBJECT: Enterprise Zone: BD & K Foods, Inc., 1333 Cusseta Road



INITIATED BY: Planning Department





Recommendation: Approval is requested for BD&K Foods, Inc. to receive

enterprise zone tax abatements at their new facility at 1333 Cusseta Road. The

abatements are to begin 1/1/2016.



Background: BD&K Foods is expanding operations and has purchased an

additional facility located at 1333 Cusseta Road. The addition will allow the

company to extend the warehousing and distribution components of the business

which will result in 35 new jobs and an initial investment of 1.7 million

dollars. BD&K Foods currently provides 65 jobs in the Columbus area and

generates approximately $15 Million in annual revenue.



Analysis: BD&K Foods has met the necessary requirements set forth in ordinance

98-30 to receive a 10 year abatement on property taxes as part of the Columbus

Business Development Center.



Financial Considerations: BD&K Foods will be investing $1,700,000.00 into the

project and will create 35 new jobs over the period. They will also be

occupying a vacant building and improvements are expected to be completed by

the end December 2015.



Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: For the BD&K Foods property, the

City will be forfeiting about $28,589.48 in property taxes for the first 5

years. School and other taxes will not be affected. Job growth and the

improvements made to the properties can offset the loss in property taxes.



Legal Considerations: The application has been reviewed and meets or will meet

the requirements per the Enterprise Zone Employment Act of 1997 prior to

receiving tax abatements.



Recommendations/ Actions: Approve the resolution for BD&K Foods to receive

property tax abatements through the Columbus Business Development Center per

ordinance #98-30.









A RESOLUTION

NO. _____



A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPROVAL OF THE REQUEST FOR BD&K FOODS, AN

EXPANSION LOCATED AT 1333 CUSSETA ROAD, TO RECEIVE TAX ABATEMENTS UNDER THE

STATE OF GEORGIA ENTERPRISE ZONE ACT.

WHEREAS, BD&K Foods expansion at 1333 Cusseta Road is located within the

boundaries of the Columbus Business Development Center (Enterprise Zone); and,

WHEREAS, BD&K Foods reports making an additional investment in land, buildings

and machinery and equipment at their 1333 Cusseta Road location in the amount

of $1,700,000.00; and,

WHEREAS, the project meets the Enterprise Zone business type criteria; and,



WHEREAS, BD&K Foods reports that they will create at least 5 jobs

(approximately 35 jobs) at this particular location prior to the tax abatement

period, and maintain the 5 jobs (net) during the full length of the tax

abatement period in order to provide additional economic stimulus to the area;

and,



WHEREAS, BD&K Foods, will provide operating statements, income and expense

information, as well as before and after photographs to the Board of Tax

Assessors at the stage of completion as of the January 1 valuation date as set

by Georgia code; and,



WHEREAS, the project will incorporate and maintain the facade

requirement for the duration of the tax exemption period, as established by

local Ordinance #98-30.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:



That the Council of the Consolidated Government of Columbus hereby

authorizes and approves BD&K Foods, located at 1333 Cusseta Road, to receive

abatement of taxes as allowed by law under the Enterprise Zone Employment Act

of the State of Georgia. BD&K Foods, shall comply with the listed requirements

in order to receive those tax abatements:

1.

BD&K Foods, will show proof to The Board of Tax Assessors every year that they

are maintaining those five (5) new jobs required under the Enterprise Zone

Employment Act. Failure to maintain those new jobs will result in the

termination of the tax abatements.

2.

The Board of Tax Assessors also requires recipients to provide notice of the

status of the project as of January 1 of each year in order to grant the

abatement. This information enables the Board to value the property at the

stage of completion as of the January 1 valuation date as set by Georgia code.

The Board would need to know when the project is considered completed.

3.

The project will incorporate and maintain the landscape requirement, for the

duration of the tax exemption period, as established by local ordinance# 98-30.

The applicant shall also be required to follow any additional requirements as

determined by the City.

4.

Facade enhancement shall be approved by the City official prior to the granting

of the tax abatements.



____________



Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held the

_________ day of _____________ 2015, and adopted at said meeting by the

affirmative vote of _____________ members of said Council.





Councilor Allen voting _______________.

Councilor Baker voting _______________.

Councilor Barnes voting _______________.

Councilor Buck voting _______________.

Councilor Davis voting _______________.

Councilor Henderson voting _______________.

Councilor Huff voting _______________.

Councilor Turner Pugh voting _______________.

Councilor Thomas voting _______________.

Councilor Woodson voting _______________.







_______________________________ _________________________

Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Teresa Pike

Tomlinson, Mayor

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