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Air Atomic expansion in Franklin cleared for tax abatement; council confirms ERA and approves 7- and 5-year abatements
Summary
The council confirmed an Economic Revitalization Area and approved tax abatements for Air Atomic’s 20,000-square-foot expansion. The company plans investment and new hires; the council approved a seven-year real property and five-year personal property abatement after a public hearing.
Community Development Specialist Dana Monson presented a request from Air Atomic for economic development incentives tied to a planned 20,000-square-foot expansion on Linville Drive. Monson said the company asked for a 10-year abatement on $2 million in real property and a 10-year abatement on $1 million in personal property and proposed hiring 27 additional workers at an average wage of $30 to $35 per hour.
Monson summarized the EDC recommendation: a seven-year real property abatement and a five-year personal property abatement. “After reviewing that request, the EDC voted to forward a favorable recommendation,” Monson said.
Mike Callaway, representing Air Atomic, described the company as an FAA repair station that repairs engine components for international airlines and said the firm has grown from about 25 employees during the pandemic to roughly 65 now. “We were as few as 25 during COVID. Now we're up to 65,” Callaway said, adding the expansion is needed for more shop space and parking.
The council held a public hearing with no public comment and then voted to confirm the Economic Revitalization Area by approving Resolution 2025-05. The council then approved two separate resolutions: Resolution 2025-06 granting the real property tax abatement and Resolution 2025-07 granting the personal property abatement. Monson noted the company declined the voluntary economic development fee; council members said the approved terms align with similar abatements in the area.
Why it matters: The abatements reduce Air Atomic's local property tax obligations for the approved terms to support plant expansion and projected job growth. The city and EDC said the incentive is intended to retain and expand a locally operating FAA repair station that serves global customers.
What happens next: The city will monitor compliance per the abatement agreements. Monson also read annual compliance reports for multiple companies to the council and reported they were found in substantial compliance.
Votes and formal actions: The council approved Resolution 2025-05 (ERA confirmation), Resolution 2025-06 (real property abatement, seven years), and Resolution 2025-07 (personal property abatement, five years).
