Crown awarded abatement on old IAC building

With an additional investment in the local community of $55 million, Crown Equipment Corp. has been awarded tax abatement on its expansion into the former International Automotive Components (IAC) site on Fillmore Road in Greencastle.

At its June meeting the City Council unanimously approved tax abatement on $15 million in real property (the 43.57-acre site and 430,000-square-foot building) and $40 million in personal property (new equipment).

While the building at 750 S. Fillmore Rd. has been part of Greencastle’s East Side industrial area for 35 years, first as Shenandoah Industries, then Lear Corp. before IAC, the building “has been through the wringer,” Greencastle/Putnam County Development Center Director Kristin Clary said.

That wear and tear is part of the reason Crown asked for -- and received -- 100 percent abatement for the first three years instead of starting at 100 percent and continuing on a sliding scale year by year.

The 100 percent abatement, Clary said, “for the first three years will allow them to recoup costs” and put $75,000 back into training for the 200 new jobs to be created.

“Is that going to be something that will come back on us later?” Councilman Darrel Thomas asked cautiously.

Thomas was advised that the city has agreed to 100 percent abatement over more than one year previously when it involved training costs for the industry involved.

With Crown already employing 860 people locally, Councilman Dave Murray said the company “has been a great addition to the community,” applauding Crown for “taking advantage of Area 30, Ivy Tech and the Development Center.”

“I tip my hat to you,” Murray said before making the motion to recommend the Crown tax deduction via Resolution 2023-7.

In other business, the Council:

-- Heard Mayor Bill Dory note that the Redevelopment Commission (RDC) has decided to go back to the original 20-year agreement rather than go to 30 years for leases on the YMCA/community center property. The goal is to get the lease signed before the RDC meeting this month. “I’m glad to hear we’re close,” Councilman Murray said. “Hopefully it will happen soon.”

-- Also heard Mayor Dory say officials are waiting on a soils survey to come back at the YMCA site where work has been delayed by wet soils.

-- Heard Mayor Dory report that he has talked with the Putnam County Commissioners relative to the possibility of creating a neighborhood park on a portion of the old Jones School property now that the building has been torn down. The commissioners “remain interested,” he said, “as they think about putting that project together.”

-- Approved the extension of the Farmers Market Franklin Street closure toward Vine Street. One of the dates, Aug. 26, involves the staging of the Greenlight Festival, but that has date already been approved as part of the street closures for the Greencastle Music Festival. The mayor said he will double-check on the dates.

-- Approved street closure requests for five DePauw University football Saturdays, Sept. 9, 16 and 23 and Oct. 7 and 28. Hanna Street will be closed from Indiana to Jackson, while Madison Street will be closed at Seminary Street where buses are parked.

-- Approved street closures for the Aug. 12 FOP 5K color run that raises money for the FOP Shop With a Cop and Santa Drop programs. The run starts and ends at Deer Meadow School with temporary closures along Shadowlawn, Albin Pond Road and Linwood Drive.

-- Approved Resolution 2023-8, which adds David Grimes, Department of Public Works assistant director, to the list of city employees eligible to use a city credit card. He is approved for purchases up to $1,000.

-- Approved Ordinance 2023-3, adding a WT-4 operator in the Water Department to the salary ordinance at $30 an hour.

Councilmen Murray and Thomas were joined for the June meeting at City Hall by Council President Mark Hammer, Russell Harvey, Cody Eckert and Councilor Stacie Langdon. Councilor Veronica Pejril was absent.

The City Council will next meet in regular session at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 13 at City Hall.