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Elkhart council OKs five-year personal property tax abatement for World Wide Foam, 8-0
Summary
The Elkhart City Common Council voted 8-0 to adopt Resolution 25 R-5, designating an area as an economic revitalization area and approving a five-year personal property tax phase-in for World Wide Foam after staff outlined a $2.84 million investment and 56 new jobs.
Elkhart City Common Council members voted 8-0 to adopt Resolution 25 R-5, designating a specified area as an economic revitalization area and approving a five-year personal property tax abatement for Jacobs and Thompson Ltd DBA Worldwide Foam CJSB Properties Inc., commonly referred to at the meeting as World Wide Foam.
The council heard from Drew Wines, Economic Development, who said the project involves a $2,843,417 investment in personal property and equipment, includes advanced manufacturing investments, and is expected to create 56 new jobs with an average annual salary of $59,477. Wines recommended a five‑year personal property tax phase-in.
The council discussion included questions about the company’s presence in Elkhart and the site’s environmental history. Councilman Henke asked whether Elkhart would qualify for extra points on the abatement by being the company’s national headquarters. Don Franson, identified at the microphone as the general manager of World Wide Foam, responded, “Yes. Elkhart is our national headquarters.” Henke also referenced the company’s historical EPA concerns; Franson said the company bought the building in 2014, completed a Phase I inspection at that time, and that “there are no open mitigation” plans active now.
With no members of the public offering comment on the resolution, Councilman Mishler moved to adopt the resolution and Councilwoman Hines seconded. Melanie conducted a roll call vote in which the eight members present voted yes: Councilman Holt; Councilman Currie; Councilwoman King; Councilman Mishler; Councilwoman Hines; Councilman Crabtree; Councilman Henke; and President Dawson. President Dawson announced the measure passed 8-0.
The resolution names Jacobs and Thompson Ltd DBA Worldwide Foam CJSB Properties Inc. as the beneficiary of the economic revitalization area designation and authorizes the personal property tax phase-in for five years as described in the Economic Development presentation.
