The Monroe County Commission agreed Monday to offer a company an option to buy 25.50 acres in the Niles Ferry Industrial Park.

The aluminum smelting plant company, which at this time is not being identified due to ongoing negotiations, would make an investment of about $15 million in the county and employ 60 to 80 people. Wages would be between $14 an hour and $18 an hour depending on experience.

The company, which at this time is not being identified due to ongoing negotiations, will pay the county $500 a month for six months. If the company decides to buy the property, it will be sold at fair market value, but not less than $5,000 per acre. The monthly payments will be applied toward the total price. The option agreement is for six months.

In his quarterly report to the board, Economic Development Director Shane Burris reported another business is interested in property in Niles Ferry and would make a $50 million investment and provide 50 jobs.

Also related to improving the local job market, the commission approved a resolution that could help county officials recruit businesses.
For several years, County Mayor Allan Watson has told the commissioners the county needs an incentive plan for businesses wanting to come here. In the past, if a business requested a tax abatement or other incentive, the commission would have to review the request first. And, that delay could mean the business decided to go elsewhere.

"This will give us a leg up on being competitive with other counties," Watson said Friday. "This will really help."
The resolution establishes a point system that ranks businesses; the number of points the business scores determines if they get a tax abatement and for how long.

The property tax break would only apply to businesses that are going to make at least a million-dollar investment in the county. The more money the business is going to spend here, the more points it would earn. Businesses will also be scored on the number of jobs created, wages, and the number of Monroe County people employed.

All businesses would be required to pay the portion of the property tax allocated for the schools. Depending on the number of points, a business could receive a minimum of two years without property tax payments and a maximum of 10 years.
The policies established in the resolution will be in effect for five years.

The commission also approved changes to the requirements for businesses in the Niles Ferry Industrial Park.
The original Declaration of Covenants for the property owners was adopted in 1980. The covenants stated that after Jan. 1, 2000, the requirements could be changed or terminated if at least 80 percent of the property owners agreed.

County Attorney Jerome Melson said some of the requirements were out of date or no longer relevant.
With the commission's approval of the changes, the county will now begin contacting the property owners to get their input.

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