The Irondale City Council included a tax‑abatement agreement on its Jan. 6 consent agenda that authorizes Mayor James D. Stewart Jr. or his designee to execute a property tax abatement with Commerce Development Group LLC and Fluid Solutions LLC to renovate a roughly 43,000‑square‑foot manufacturing facility at 2601 Commerce Boulevard.

Company proposals and city analysis: Thomas Goodwin, founder of Fluid Solutions, described the company’s plan to relocate and renovate a building in Irondale, with construction slated for completion in early 2027. Goodwin said the project represents approximately $5,055,263 in total capital investment and the full ramp‑up will create 49 new full‑time jobs with an annual payroll of about $5.7 million, or roughly $117,000 per employee.

An economic development representative said a cost‑benefit analysis conducted by the Department of Business Alliance estimated the city would receive approximately $491,000 in net benefits over 20 years after accounting for the abatement; occupational tax revenue was estimated at about $29,000 per year. The council was told the abatement package offered protections: if Fluid Solutions fails to meet 90% of both capital investment and payroll commitments, the city can terminate the agreement.

Why it matters: Council members and staff framed the abatement as an economic driver that helps offset high construction and financing costs and encourages manufacturing investment and higher-wage jobs in Irondale.

Council action: The item was left on the consent agenda and moved forward without extended debate; council members present voted to approve the consent package, which included the abatement agreement. The transcript shows the council approved consent items 1–10 by voice vote and then moved to adopt ordinances separately.

What happens next: The memorandum authorizing the mayor or designee to execute the tax‑abatement agreement was approved by the council and will be executed by the mayor’s office; the abatement contains compliance provisions requiring 90% satisfaction of stated investment and payroll targets or risk termination.