The Elkhart City Tax Abatement Committee recommended a finding of noncompliance for real property for Bennington Marine South (Marine Realty LLC DBA Bennington Marine South) after staff reported the company is well below its new-jobs commitment and the company did not appear at the hearing.

Drew (city staff) said Bennington Marine South was approved for a five-year tax abatement in 2022 and reported investments in real property but only five of 19 pledged new hires on the CF-1 for the current review period. Drew told the committee that the marine industry has been down and that returning to compliance would depend on pontoon production and broader industry conditions.

A council member asked whether the company’s absence at the hearing legally required a noncompliance finding. Corporation counsel advised the committee that absence does not automatically trigger noncompliance; the committee may make a recommendation based on the record or refer the matter to the full council without recommendation. The company indicated it would attend the Common Council meeting on July 9 if needed.

After discussion, the committee voted to recommend a finding of noncompliance for the company’s real-property statement of benefits; the recommendation will go to the Elkhart City Common Council for final determination.