DeKalb County Council declares Carnahan Farms area in need of economic revitalization, approves tax abatement

DeKalb County Council voted to declare the Carnahan Farms area “in need of economic revitalization” and approved a tax abatement recommendation for the property and equipment owned by Carnahan Farms.

The council approved the tax abatement after the tax abatement committee recommended one year of abatement for real property and three years for personal property. The motion to declare the area passed on a 5-1 vote.

The declaration begins the statutory process: council members asked the county attorney to prepare documentation for a preliminary declaration at the next council meeting, followed by a public hearing and then a final vote at a subsequent meeting.

Carnahan Farms representatives described delays related to equipment approvals and international manufacturing. A farm representative said the new production machines were built in the Netherlands and required multiple changes to meet U.S. Food and Drug Administration requirements, which delayed installation and start-up. Jason (no last name provided) described the units as “the same concept as brands. It’s just a different brand,” and said the farm hopes to demonstrate a unit during Ag Day but does not expect full production immediately.

Council members discussed communication gaps between the applicants and county liaisons. Several members noted the farm’s public-education activities and said the abatement could support local investment and job retention. One council member opposed the motion, citing concern about tax abatements generally; the transcript does not attribute that “no” vote to a named member.

Next steps: staff will draft the preliminary declaration paperwork and schedule the required public hearing and final action at subsequent council meetings.