Metropolitan Development Commission OKs up to 10-year tax abatement for Thunderbird Commerce Center

The Metropolitan Development Commission on Sept. 17 approved a final economic revitalization area resolution recommending up to 10 years of real-property tax abatement for the Thunderbird Commerce Center at 6900 English Avenue in Warren Township.

Kathy Battle, program manager with the economic incentives team in the Department of Metropolitan Development, told commissioners the project is led by Loth Group and represents a $110,000,000 proposed redevelopment of an industrial speculative building to be called Thunderbird Commerce Center. Staff said the applicant requested an eight-year real-property tax abatement with a potential two-year extension if at least 51% of the gross leasable area is occupied by businesses in the city’s targeted and opportunity industries.

Battle said the statement of benefits was submitted and approved by the City-County Council on Aug. 11 by unanimous vote and that Councilor Hart, whose district includes the project, supports it. She said the project has committed to creating 200 new jobs with a minimum wage of $18 per hour. As part of the package, 5% of the estimated tax savings — described by staff as “a little over $400,000” — will be split, with roughly $300,000 directed to the city’s forest preservation fund and the remaining amount to support development and training certificates tied to the project.

Commissioners moved and seconded the resolution and approved it by roll call. The meeting record shows the resolution (2025 A-028) passed by vote of 8 to 0.

The commission’s action is a recommendation (final economic revitalization area resolution) that supports the tax-abatement request; the transcript does not record further conditions beyond the occupancy threshold for the two-year extension.