Millville approves long‑term tax‑exemption pilot with CRP after heated public hearing

The Millville City Commission voted to adopt an ordinance authorizing a long‑term tax‑exemption (pilot) and financial agreement with CRP Development Urban Renewal LLC for property identified as Block 163, Lot 1, after a lengthy public hearing marked by technical questions about projected revenues, assessor values and the agreement’s effective term.

Supporters, including municipal advisers from Phoenix Advisors, said the project will re‑activate a long‑undeveloped city parcel and generate new revenue. "The project consists of three phases and is expected to bring over 3,600,000 square feet of warehouse space to the site," Phoenix Advisors’ Brian Morris said during the presentation, and he described a three‑pronged annual service‑charge calculation the city will use to set payments.

Opponents and several residents pressed the commission on specifics. Paul Pereca said figures in the contract and in staff materials did not match and asked how the city reached large multi‑decade revenue projections: "The contract says it's about a…