Douglas County approves 35‑year business personal property tax rebate for Safran Defense & Space in Parker
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Summary
The Douglas County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a 35‑year business personal property tax rebate for Safran Defense & Space Inc. to locate a manufacturing and integration facility in Parker. County staff presented facility size, expected job creation and an estimated rebate; Safran and the Douglas County EDC spoke in support.
The Douglas County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously April 22 to approve a business personal property tax incentive agreement with Safran Defense & Space Inc. for a new facility in Parker.
County planning staff told the board the project would occupy a roughly 28,337‑square‑foot leased facility on Compark Boulevard in Parker and is expected to create about 20 new jobs within 24 months, primarily engineers, technicians and operators. Staff described the agreement as a 35‑year rebate of the county’s portion of business personal property tax and estimated the total rebate over the term at about $1,007,988. Staff said they evaluated the proposed agreement with the county attorney’s office and the county assessor to confirm compliance with state statute.
“We have with us today, Christophe Bauer representing Safran,” DJ Beckwith of Planning Resources said when introducing the item. Christophe Bauer, vice president of business development and sales for Safran, told the board Safran selected Parker because of the regional talent pool and local business environment. Ellie Reynolds, CEO of the Douglas County Economic Development Council, spoke in support and thanked the board for policies that helped the company locate in the county.
Board members framed the rebate as an incentive to land higher‑paying technology jobs. One commissioner argued business personal property tax can place a recurring tax burden on equipment owners and described the rebate as a welcome business‑friendly gesture to attract employers. Another commissioner said incoming high‑tech positions would bring residents who pay sales and property taxes and support the local economy.
The board recorded the motion to approve the incentive agreement, received a second and voted in favor; the clerk announced the motion passed unanimously. Staff and company representatives said they will proceed with the steps needed to implement the agreement.
Clarifying details reported at the meeting included the facility size (28,337 sq. ft.), the company’s estimate of about 20 new jobs within 24 months, and staff’s estimate of the rebate total (approximately $1,007,988 over the 35‑year term). The presentation identified the project file as ED2025‑1.
