By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green officials plan to give a tax break to a company promising to create at least 35 jobs in the city.
City Council heard the first reading of a resolution Monday evening that would give Mosser Construction Co. a 100 percent tax abatement for a 10-year period. Mosser is planning to build an approximately 200,000 square foot warehouse, and anticipates an initial hiring of at least 35 employees. The warehouse is expected to be an investment of $8.6 million in the Wood Bridge Business Park, off Dunbridge Road on the east side of the city.
In addition to the project creating jobs, the warehouse will also provide storage space for existing companies in Bowling Green.
“For many years, on our economic development visits, companies have relayed concerns about warehousing,” the legislative package given to council stated. “We’ve learned that, in many cases, companies are warehousing out of town.”
City officials have also been told by local manufacturers that finding adequate warehousing is important because companies want to find space for new equipment or processes within their existing plants, and moving inventory into a warehousing facility could create that additional space.
The problem, however, has been that no such space is available in Bowling Green.
But the Community Development Foundation, which facilitated the Mosser site, said the new warehouse will fill that need.
The tax break given to Mosser is part of a deal in the city’s new Community Reinvestment Area. The company has negotiated directly with Bowling Green City Schools to make the school district whole on the tax break being given by the city.
The 100 percent tax break for a 10-year period is the same agreement recently made with Kroger and Fairfield Inn.
To make way for more development in the Wood Bridge Business Park, council approved annexation and M-3 zoning for a total of 103 acres from Center Township into the city.
“This is going to be a good boon to our economy,” council member Bruce Jeffers said. “It’s going to bring jobs.”
Jeffers commended the efforts of Sue Clark, director of the Bowling Green Community Development Foundation, in facilitating the expansion of the business park.
Also at Monday’s meeting, council heard the first reading of an ordinance that would pave the way for a vocational training school use in the city’s zoning code.
The Bowling Green Community Development Foundation has been working with Penta Career Center to find a permanent location for a satellite school. The school is seen as a first step for collaboration with business parks for training and workforce development for existing manufacturers. One of the biggest needs expressed by local manufacturers is the lack of a skilled workforce.
In other business, Municipal Administrator Lori Tretter reported on new golf cart inspections in the city. As of July 19, golf carts can be operated on most 25 mph streets, as long as the carts have been registered. To be registered, the carts must pass inspection by the Bowling Green Police Division.
Two initial free inspection times are being offered, with no appointments required. The first will be in the Stone Ridge golf course parking lot on July 29 from 8 a.m. to noon. The second will be in the Bowling Green Country Club parking lot on Aug. 5 from 12 to 4 p.m. Anyone unable to make those two inspection times may contact the police division to schedule an inspection.
Also at the meeting, Planning Director Heather Sayler reported that the next Community Action Plan public meeting will be Sept. 12, from 5 to 7 p.m., in the atrium of the Wood County District Public Library. The meeting will be open house style.
The planning office has seen a little more activity this year, Sayler said, with 217 zoning permits requested this year compared to 192 last year, and 20 single family home permits compared to 18 last year.
Mayor Dick Edwards welcomes members of Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders.
In other business at Monday’s meeting:
- Council heard a second reading of an ordinance transferring the former Manville water tower properties to Habitat for Humanity.
- Council authorized a contract with the Bowling Green Municipal Employees Association for a three-year contract. The union and the city agreed to a 1.5 percent increase for the first year of the contract, 2 percent for the second year, and 2.5 percent for the third year.
- Council heard the first reading of an ordinance entering into contracts for the renovation of the nature center at Wintergarden/St. John’s Nature Preserve. The first phase of improvements at the park was completed last year. The Parks and Recreation Foundation has raised enough funds for the second phase, which will focus on the inside of the building.
- The mayor declared July as Parks and Recreation Month in Bowling Green.
- Three members of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders were welcomed and spoke about the program.
- Public Works Director Brian Craft said the new traffic signal at West Poe Road and Fairview Avenue is completed. The new signal will allow for protected left turns.
- Craft also reported that a protected left turn will soon be added for traffic turning from Newton Road north onto Ohio 25.
- Craft said ODOT had its bid openings for road salt supplies. Bowling Green is in line to get 600 tons at a price of approximately $35 a ton.
