Commission approves 10-year tax abatement for Publix distribution expansion in McCullough

The Jefferson County Commission on an aye vote approved a 10-year sales-and-use tax abatement for Publix’s distribution facility in McCullough, county staff told commissioners.

County economic development staff said the McCullough distribution center has grown “from 200 jobs” to “424 jobs” and that Publix is considering about a $15,000,000 expansion to enhance truck-fleet capabilities. Staff presented a cost-benefit analysis that estimated the project would generate more than $480,000 for the county general fund and about $1,600,000 in educational dollars over the life of the abatement.

The project was presented by county economic development staff; Jeff and Abel were identified as present for questions, and David Russell Jr. of the BPA was on hand to answer questions about the analysis. Staff described the proposed abatement as limited to taxes associated with the new construction and new sales and use taxes — not taxes on existing operations — and said the abatement term would be 10 years.

Commissioners did not request changes to the length of the abatement during the presentation and approved the proposal after a motion and second. No vote roll call with individual names was recorded in the transcript other than the voice vote of “aye.”

The county’s presentation said Publix “committed to retain as many of those workers as the project” and to hire for positions that can lead to forklift licensure and commercial driver’s licenses. The transcript does not show additional conditions or follow-up tasks attached to the abatement approval.