Kokomo council approves multiple economic revitalization-area resolutions tied to battery‑supply projects

The Kokomo City Common Council on Feb. 10 introduced and passed five declaratory resolutions designating specific properties as Economic Revitalization Areas (ERAs) and granting preliminary property-tax abatements for real or personal property tied to suppliers and developers associated with the battery industry in Howard County.

Councilwoman Sandberg said she was presenting five resolutions for three separate organizations identified as contributors or suppliers for batteries produced by the Star Plus energy battery plant. "With each resolution, I will present their real investments in our community along with the tax abatement we will be we will provide to them for bringing their businesses to our community, providing investment and jobs to Howard County," she told the council.

The council acted by voice vote on each resolution; the transcript records "aye" and "motion carries" for each item. The resolutions were read by title and moved and seconded; the council scheduled final consideration after the required public-notice period (the council's next meeting was set for Feb. 24). The resolutions and key details as presented in the meeting are listed below.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 28‑27 (real property) — Sponsor: Councilwoman Sandberg. Designates property described in the resolution as an Economic Revitalization Area for the purposes of a preliminary real-property tax exemption. The resolution as described in the meeting identifies the company at the site (read in the transcript as "Sung a, America's") on approximately 20 acres at 1501 East 200 North. Reported real investment: $10,150,000. Reported jobs: 120 at $25 per hour. Proposed abatement: five-year step-down. Outcome: adopted (voice vote).

- Resolution 28‑28 (personal property) — Sponsor: Councilwoman Sandberg. Declares the supplier's personal property inside the renovated facility at the 20-acre site to be an ERA for a five-year step-down abatement. Reported personal-property investment at that site: $22,000,000; reported combined real and personal investment for the entity at the two pieces: $32,150,000. Outcome: adopted (voice vote).

- Resolution 28‑31 (real property) — Sponsor: Councilwoman Sandberg. Designates property for J 1 Industries America LLC at 1679 East Sparks Road and 2462 North 100 East as an ERA with a proposed 10-year step-down abatement. Reported real investment: $92,350,000. Reported jobs: 100 at $27 per hour. Outcome: adopted (voice vote).

- Resolution 28‑32 (personal property) — Sponsor: Councilwoman Sandberg. Recognizes J 1 Industries America LLC's personal property for a proposed new facility on approximately 30.5 acres at the same addresses and grants a five-year step-down for personal property. Reported personal-property investment: $252,824,000. Outcome: adopted (voice vote).

- Resolution 28‑37 (real property) — Sponsor: Councilwoman Sandberg. Designates HH Kokomo Spec 1 LLC property on 21.88 acres at 414 East 400 North as an ERA with a proposed five-year step-down abatement. Reported real investment: $17,200,000. Reported jobs: 20 at $27 per hour. Outcome: adopted (voice vote).

Several council members voiced support during the roll-call/voice votes; specific seconding council members were not consistently named on the record in the transcript. Council President called for the voice votes and declared each motion carried after "aye" responses.

The resolutions were introduced and passed by the council for preliminary approval; the council noted they will revisit the resolutions at the Feb. 24 meeting after the public-notice period. No further debate, conditions, or dissenting votes are recorded in the transcript excerpt.