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County approves tax benefits for Ranch House Meats after company cites $3.5 million expansion
Summary
The Yellowstone County Board approved Resolution 24-157 granting partial tax abatement to Ranch House Meats after company representatives described a $3.5 million expansion expected to increase production and jobs; the Lockwood Fire District requested exclusivity and noted a rise in calls.
The Yellowstone County Board of County Commissioners on Nov. 26 approved Resolution 24-157, granting tax benefits to Project 'Meets' doing business as Ranch House Meats to support an expansion the company says involved about $3.5 million in investment.
Shane Flowers, speaking for Ranch House Meats, told the board the expansion has already required significant capital. "We've, invested about $3,500,000 into this expansion," Flowers said, adding the firm currently employs about 25 people and expects to reach about 75 once the project is complete. He estimated the new building could produce roughly 40,000 pounds a day and that, combined with the existing facility, the two sites could process about 50,000 to 55,000 pounds per day.
The board opened a public hearing before the vote; Brandon Stevens, fire chief for the Lockwood Fire District, spoke in support of the new business but asked that the district be treated as the exclusive fire provider for the area and said, "We have seen an increased call volume over the last 30 days, with this business." County staff explained how the abatement is calculated, saying the existing taxable base remains the same and the abatement applies to half of the tax increment created by new construction.
Chairman (reading staff’s recommendation) moved to approve Resolution 24-157, which the board adopted following a second and an affirmative vote.
The resolution is tied to the county’s redevelopment threshold for reconstruction or expansion that provides an investment of $500,000 or greater and results in at least a 2.5% increase in overall taxable value when completed, as described during the hearing.
What happens next: the resolution authorizes the tax benefit; details about the abatement period, exact dollar value of yearly tax reduction and any conditions attached to the approval were not specified during the meeting and will proceed according to county procedures for implementing such incentives.
Votes at a glance: Resolution 24-157 — approved (board voice vote; ayes recorded).
