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Council approves tax-abatement package for Beckman Coulter expansion
Summary
The Chaska City Council adopted a tax-abatement agreement to support Beckman Coulter’s planned 148,000-square-foot expansion, a roughly $50 million investment the company says will add about 300 jobs; agreement caps abatement at $1.4 million or 13 years and allocates part of the funds for resurfacing Lake Hazeltine Drive.
The Chaska City Council on June 16 approved a tax-abatement agreement to support Beckman Coulter’s planned 148,000-square-foot expansion and roughly $50 million investment in the city.
City staff told the council the package would be a “pay as you go abatement up to $1,400,000” with a maximum term of 13 years; part of the abatement proceeds will fund resurfacing of Lake Hazeltine Drive and Beckman Coulter will coordinate with Chaska Electric to access transformers as needed. “Tax abatement is an economic development tool that allows us to rebate property taxes back to that property owner for key projects,” a staff presenter said during the hearing.
Why it matters: city staff recommended the abatement because the project would expand the city’s tax base, bring infrastructure improvements and reportedly add “about 300 high quality jobs” over two to three years. The council held the required public hearing — notice was published in the Laconia Patriot on June 5 “in accordance with state statute” — and, seeing no public speakers, moved to adopt the resolution authorizing the agreement.
Council action and terms: a council motion to adopt Resolution 2025-533 (approval of the property tax abatement agreement) was made by Council Member Benesch and seconded by Council Member Graf; the motion carried. Staff described the abatement as ending either when the $1.4 million cap is reached or at the end of the 13th year, whichever occurs first. The resurfacing of Lake Hazeltine Drive is scheduled to be completed by 2028 per the agreement language presented to the council.
Background and next steps: staff noted the city previously approved site and building plans for the expansion and that a letter of intent was entered in May. The agreement presented was described as the final piece to complete the city’s assistance package. City staff said they would coordinate implementation details with Beckman Coulter and Chaska Electric and follow the timeline laid out in the agreement.
The council’s vote concluded the public hearing and authorized the mayor and staff to execute the tax-abatement agreement under the terms presented.
