2 manufacturers apply for tax exemptions from Scio Township
The Scio Township Board of Trustees will vote on an industrial facilities tax (IFT) exemption for OptiFlow, Inc. on Tuesday. At the same meeting, the board is scheduled to hold a public hearing on a similar exemption request from Trenton Corporation.
“And part of the IFTs are that they require you to add employees,” he said. “We’re projecting five new employees, and we currently are at 26.”
OptiFlow, a company headquartered in the Ann Arbor area that helps clients manufacture their products using computer operated machinery, has received previous exemptions from the township, and Township Supervisor Spaulding Clark said he expects this exemption to be passed by the board on Tuesday.
“The exemption is for real and personal property improvements,” he said. “I’m assuming it will be approved, we’ve approved them before.”
Trenton Corporation’s request will be voted on at the board’s first meeting in October if a public hearing is held on Tuesday. Trenton, also headquartered locally, specializes in the design and manufacturing of wax tapes and pipe coatings. Clark said the hearing may be pushed to October because Trenton’s representative will be out of town.
Ben Freed covers business for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at 734-623-2528 or email him at benfreed@annarbor.com. Follow him on twitter @BFreedinA2
Comments
Owner
Thu, Sep 27, 2012 : 11:32 p.m.
As the owner of Optiflow, I find the comments listed here baseless. I've created 26 jobs in scio township and have future plans of creating more. Some jobs are coming from china! The exemption allows me to hire more people. The people I hire spend money everyday in local businesses. We've donated a lot of money to help military families and people in need. We work hard to have zero impact on the environment and have a future goal of a 1 percent self imposed tax to help the environment. Please look up the 1 percent self imposed tax. We requested the tax exemption because the equipment is very expensive and the money to pay for it was borrowed from a local bank. The exemption helped in the decision to stay in the township and purchase the equipment. I spent 10 years building this business, the first five I didn't get paid. Now I have some traction to create jobs and build a good future for my employees. I have many conditions in order to have the exemption. If I do not meet the criteria over the next 5 years, I have to pay back all the taxes that are considered exempt. Optiflow is a small business. If you live in the community and would like to visit feel free. We are proud of who we are and pay plenty of taxes.
SemperFi
Mon, Sep 24, 2012 : 3:59 p.m.
Don't expect much from the Scio Trustees. Isn't this the same group that managed to chase away Costco and Menard's?
John
Mon, Sep 24, 2012 : 3:47 p.m.
These guys don't even live in Scio Township, where residents have to foot the bill that allows them to make their money. There is nothing less patriotic than dodging taxes.
beeswing
Mon, Sep 24, 2012 : 3:47 p.m.
Say--if I do a little home remodeling and then hire a cleaning person to come in once a week, can I get one of those tax exemptions too?
Ghost of Tom Joad
Mon, Sep 24, 2012 : 12:41 p.m.
I'm sure we'll see these guys on the next "We built this" commercial coming out too...
Tom Todd
Mon, Sep 24, 2012 : 11:09 a.m.
higher taxes for residents,Five employees seems low
katmando
Mon, Sep 24, 2012 : 10:13 a.m.
free loaders, one of the 47%ers, as Romney put it!