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Orthoamerica tells Franklin City council it fell short of job targets but remains committed to growth
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Summary
Orthoamerica representatives told the Franklin City Council that the company missed a planned real-property expansion and is short of projected employees but invested about $505,000 in its existing Franklin facility; the council found the company in compliance and approved related abatement cases after hearing its plans to hire and expand markets.
Orthoamerica representatives told the Franklin City Council that the company did not complete a planned real-property expansion but instead invested about $505,000 in improvements at its existing facility, and the council found the company in compliance with its performance-based tax-abatement conditions and approved the related cases.
Brian Zemansky, a consultant with McGuire Sponsel presenting on behalf of Orthoamerica, said the original project estimate included a $1,800,000 building that was tied to anticipated M&A activity that ultimately did not materialize; instead, he said, "we spent the $505,000 on the existing [facility]" at 2165 Earlywood Drive. Zemansky told the council the company currently employs about 72 people of the 100 projected and expects continued personal-property investment tied to new products and market opportunities.
Brandon Bernanke, the company's owner and chief executive, described operational challenges after acquiring a Denver operation and broader market headwinds, including tariffs and fluctuating raw-material costs from overseas suppliers. Bernanke said the company sells in roughly 90 countries and has seen a sharp multi-year disruption in parts of its market; he said a recent certification will help open additional markets. "We anticipate to grow," Bernanke said, and noted the company has begun bringing remote roles on site and recently hired a customer-service manager.
Council members pressed for specifics on where the $505,000 was spent and on employee trends; Zemansky confirmed the funds were used in the current Franklin facility and repeated the company's commitment to reach its projected headcount. After discussion the council moved to approve the cases referenced in the transcript related to Orthoamerica (KC2026-31 and related identifiers) and found the company in compliance with its abatement requirements.
Why it matters: These abatements are performance-based, meaning the tax relief is tied to actual investments and wages. Council approval preserves the abatement status while the company works to meet its original projections and brings remote roles into the Franklin workforce.
The council voted to find Orthoamerica in compliance and approved the referenced abatement cases; representatives were thanked for appearing and asked to continue reporting on progress at future meetings.
