Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development Agriculture topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council reconfirms Pure Green Farms abatements, extends designation period to support greenhouse expansion
Summary
Resolutions reconfirming and modifying prior tax abatements for Pure Green Farms (Greenleaf HoldCo LLC) passed unanimously; city staff said the change extends the designation period so phase 2 investments and job commitments can proceed.
The Common Council unanimously adopted two reconfirming resolutions on Jan. 13 to extend and modify tax‑abatement designations for Pure Green Farms (Greenleaf HoldCo LLC) at 3820 West Calvert Street, a controlled‑environment greenhouse that grows lettuce for retail and food service.
Eric Glavich, director of Growth and Opportunity, told the council that Pure Green Farms had received 2022 tax abatements that were set to expire under the original designation period. The company requested an extension of the designation period to the end of 2026 to give the business additional time to complete Phase 2. Glavich said the 2022 commitments continue to apply under the reconfirmation: roughly $12 million in private real‑property investment, retention of 25 full‑time jobs and creation of 75 new full‑time jobs; the Phase 2 personal‑property estimate was about $70 million.
Glavich presented updated tax projections that showed with the project in place and under the abatement the city would receive materially more tax revenue over time than it would if the project did not proceed. At the 2022 abatement estimates, Glavich said the nine‑year real‑property abatement implied approximately $4.5 million of total taxes with roughly $1.8 million abated and about $2.7 million paid over the abatement period. He said the facility without the project would collect about $3.6 million over 20 years, whereas the completed project with the abatement would bring approximately $8.3 million over the same period.
Joe Maguire, CEO of Pure Green Farms, described the farm’s market arrangement and community ties and said the operation has created local jobs. In response to council questions, Maguire confirmed typical starting wages around $15 an hour, said the company’s total payroll is on the order of $2.5 million, and said the firm has invested roughly $20–25 million so far and expects additional investment as Phase 2 continues.
After public comment and discussion, the council adopted both reconfirming resolutions (one for real property, one for personal property) by unanimous votes. Council members praised the operation’s local hiring and touring the facility while some public commenters raised broader concerns about abatements and tax policy.
