Auburn council approves joiner agreement for Core Scientific; city cites $395 million new investment

The Auburn City Council on March 4 approved a tax-abatement amendment and a joiner agreement that will permit Core Scientific Incorporated to join an existing tax abatement held by OBX LLC and lease the OBX facility at 1571 West Sanford Avenue.

City staff told the council the action covers the tax-abatement paperwork only; it does not authorize construction. Staff said Core Scientific plans roughly $395,300,000 in new capital investment over several years, bringing total capital on that project site to about $424,300,000. A motion to approve the joiner agreement passed without a recorded opposition.

The council discussion emphasized the procedural nature of the item. A city official clarified the current council action authorizes the company to become party to the existing abatement and does not itself fund construction or capital deployment.

The contract paperwork and related agreement were moved and seconded and approved as item 10B on the agenda. The city manager and economic development staff will execute the necessary documents to finalize the joiner agreement.

City officials later thanked the economic development and industrial development teams for their work on the matter.

What the council approved was the administrative step to allow Core Scientific to participate in the OBX abatement and lease the specified facility; any subsequent construction, site work or other regulatory approvals were not addressed by the motion and would require additional council or staff action, permits and inspections as applicable.