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Franklin council approves tax abatement for Prime Beverage, citing 181 initial jobs
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Summary
The Franklin City Council approved Resolution 26‑01 on Jan. 21, 2026, granting Prime Beverage Group a seven‑year personal‑property tax abatement for about $56 million in equipment; the company projects roughly 181 initial jobs at about $25/hour and a $3 million gas‑line extension to begin construction in February if approved.
Franklin — The Franklin City Council on Jan. 21 unanimously approved Council Resolution 26‑01 to grant Prime Beverage Group a seven‑year personal‑property tax abatement and a 5% economic development fee recommendation tied to an estimated $56,000,000 in equipment investment.
Community development specialist Dana Monson told the council the Economic Development Commission recommended approval after hearing a request from Prime Beverage for a personal‑property abatement covering what Monson described as $56,000,000 worth of personal equipment and proposing a seven‑year term with a 5% economic development fee.
John West, a company representative, described Prime Beverage as a beverage‑manufacturing and logistics firm founded in 2020 in the Kannapolis, North Carolina, area. West said the company plans to occupy 2300 Progress Drive, initially employ about 181 people at a starting wage of roughly $25 an hour and invest in local training relationships with Ivy Tech and Franklin College.
“We are Prime Beverage Group… Here in Franklin, we're very excited to move into our building to grow our business with you,” West said, adding that the company partners with local community colleges and public safety agencies.
West also gave a construction and hiring timeline: if approvals proceed, he said the company aims to begin the gas‑line construction in February with the line finished in March, equipment arriving in June, leadership hires by July, hourly hiring beginning in August and operations starting by November. He said the gas‑line work is an estimated $3,000,000 project.
Council members asked about likely long‑term employment scale and customer confidentiality. West said the operation could scale to “6 to 700 employees” over time and that confidentiality agreements prevent naming specific clients; council members noted the project already received required zoning special‑exception approvals.
A council member moved to approve Resolution 26‑01; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote with no opposition recorded.
What happens next: The resolution authorizes the abatement consistent with the Economic Development Commission’s recommendation; Prime Beverage representatives and city staff indicated they will proceed with permitting and infrastructure coordination. The council welcomed the company to Franklin and said staff will continue to work with the company on timelines and implementation.
Notes and limits: The article uses figures and schedule as stated by city staff and company representatives during the Jan. 21 meeting. Where council members were not identified by full name in the transcript, motions and seconds are attributed to council members generically as recorded in the meeting transcript.
