Bethany Shockney, with Limestone County Economic Development, asked the Limestone County Commission to consider sales and property tax abatements for North Alabama Laser Fab, a Lester-based manufacturing firm owned by Greg Weatherford. Shockney said the company plans to purchase a new laser cutter "at approximately 1000000 dollars," and requested a one-time sales tax abatement estimated at $15,000 and property tax abatement of about $23,732 spread over 10 years. She also said new education taxes to the school system would be about $10,000 upfront and approximately $18,148 over 10 years.

"They currently have 22 employees. They have committed to hiring an additional 8 people over the next 3 years, bringing their total up to 30 people," Shockney said. The presentation was delivered during the public comment portion of the work session and commissioners asked no follow-up questions during the meeting.

Why it matters: The county typically weighs foregone tax revenue from abatements against the economic-development benefits of capital investment and job creation. The companys employment pledge would increase local jobs if the hires materialize.

What happened next: The tax-abatement request was listed on the work-session agenda for formal approval; no final vote was recorded during the work session.

Next steps: The proposed abatements will appear on the commission's agenda for formal action at a regular meeting; staff will provide the formal abatement documents and any fiscal-impact analysis required for the vote.