Flatout Bread requesting tax abatement for Saline food manufacturing expansion
The Saline City Council is expected to vote tonight on a tax abatement application from Flatout Bread, which plans to add equipment to its food manufacturing operation on Woodland Drive.
Flatout plans to invest $1.27 million on new machinery and equipment and another $41,000 on facility improvements, according to the City Council agenda.
Flatout Bread owners Mike and Stacey Marsh plan to add new equipment at their Saline food manufacturing site.
File photo | AnnArbor.com
"They're going gangbusters," Saline Mayor Gretchen Driskell said. "We’re delighted they’re growing in the city and investing in their property in the city."
The firm, founded by husband-and-wife Mike Marsh and Stacey Marsh in the 1990s as an outgrowth of an Ann Arbor sandwich shop, is one of the region's largest food manufacturers. The company, whose sandwich wrap product is sold in major grocery store chains, had more than 120 employees two years ago.
Mike and Stacey Marsh could not be reached for comment this afternoon.
The company recently changed its legal name from Patto Inc. to Flatout Bread to more accurately reflect its business.
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Comments
Jim Burns
Wed, Aug 4, 2010 : 8:27 a.m.
I hope they hire local contractors for their work.
pawky
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 11:44 a.m.
A great company and good fit for the area. It's nice to see less boarded-up businesses and more jobs in the area. The ACH (Ford) plant is a good example. Drive by and see the parking lot packed with hundreds of employeed people's cars. Saline could dig it's heels in, drive the businesses (jobs) out and become a ghost town. I'm glad they don't....
Jay Allen
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 9:20 a.m.
I am sure the owners are awesome folks; Yes it is a great business success story; Yes it is nice to have this type of business here in Saline, but they should pay their fair share. Sorry but it is how I feel. I do not know what their tax schedule is, but if they are investing 1.27 million on machinery and 41K in "improvements", that is 1,311,000.00 and the thousands of dollars in tax breaks was a deal breaker? Always Late is dead on in their post. Cannot wait until I get my new tax bill.......
AlwaysLate
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 8:56 a.m.
Saline hands out tax abatements to it's local businesses like candy to a baby. This week's baby is Flat Out...who, by the way, had no plans to go anywhere else...they weren't leaving Saline! Now that the tax abatement has been approved, the money will have to made up somewhere else. And you all know where the money will come from...the already overtaxed citizens of Saline.
David Rhoads
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 7:26 a.m.
The requested tax abatement was approved last night.
stunhsif
Mon, Aug 2, 2010 : 9:29 p.m.
@David B, Wow, you suprised me. Why are you supporting tax abatements for this rich couple and their company? I have never ever seen you lean in the right direction before!
Fat Bill
Mon, Aug 2, 2010 : 9:11 p.m.
Light manufacturing/production has a low impact on community resources. These are the businesses you want, not chemical plants or other resource-intensive operations. Any city would be happy to grant the tax abatement, after all 50% of something is better than 100% of nothing given the circumstances. @smart, remember that the employees who work there don't get an abatement, they are paying taxes, possibly shopping in the area, maybe moving here. That's why it works.
Juno
Mon, Aug 2, 2010 : 7:29 p.m.
I love Flatout products! I had no idea they were local...even better!
dading dont delete me bro
Mon, Aug 2, 2010 : 7 p.m.
looks like subway flatbread...?
Sonya
Mon, Aug 2, 2010 : 6:51 p.m.
Love this bread. I didn't know it was local but am happy to hear it.
David Briegel
Mon, Aug 2, 2010 : 6:24 p.m.
A wonderful entrepreneurial success story! Worthy!!
ALR3
Mon, Aug 2, 2010 : 4:37 p.m.
I also hope they get the Abatement. Mike and Stacey are a wonderful, hard-working couple. They and their company are a real asset to the community.
Kelly Parkinson
Mon, Aug 2, 2010 : 4:07 p.m.
I hope they get the Abatement. I think they are a terric company and we love them having them as neigbors in Saline.