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Bradley County approves PILOT for Linde Inc. as part of proposed $70 million project
Summary
The Bradley County Commission unanimously approved Resolution 2025‑28 authorizing a PILOT schedule for Linde Inc., delegating negotiation to the Industrial Development Board and empowering the mayor to execute required agreements; the project is described as a roughly $70 million air‑separation investment expected to create at least 18 jobs.
The Bradley County Commission on July 21 unanimously approved Resolution 2025‑28, authorizing a Payment‑In‑Lieu‑Of‑Taxes (PILOT) schedule for Linde Inc. and delegating negotiation of a PILOT agreement to the Industrial Development Board. The commission also authorized the county mayor to execute documents needed to complete the arrangement.
The resolution, presented for consideration by County Mayor D. Gary Davis and placed on the agenda by Commissioner Cindy Slater, describes a proposed air‑separation unit project by Linde Inc. with an estimated capital investment of approximately $70,000,000 and a commitment to create a minimum of 18 full‑time jobs at an average annual wage of $85,000. Under the PILOT terms described in the resolution, personal property used in the project would be exempt from ad valorem taxes and Linde would make annual payments in lieu of taxes equal to 62.5% of the property taxes otherwise due on that property for a five‑year period commencing Jan. 1, 2026 and ending Dec. 31, 2030.
The resolution estimates the PILOT will yield approximately $907,413.16 to Bradley County over the five‑year period and an additional $147,888.11 annually thereafter. The Industrial Development Board is authorized to negotiate the final PILOT agreement consistent with the arrangement described in the adopted resolution; the county mayor is authorized to execute any documents necessary to complete the agreement.
Doug Berry, vice president for economic development at the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce, presented the proposal in a July 14 work session that the commission referenced during the July 21 voting session. The motion to approve Resolution 2025‑28 carried on a roll call vote of 13 ayes, 0 opposed.
Why this matters: a PILOT reduces near‑term property tax collections in exchange for an incentive intended to secure private investment, jobs and future local tax base growth. County officials signaled the measure was part of an economic development strategy and that detailed negotiated terms will be finalized by the Industrial Development Board and the county mayor. There were no recorded public objections in the session minutes.
Next steps: the Industrial Development Board will negotiate the written PILOT agreement with Linde and the developer; the county mayor is authorized to sign agreements required to implement the project once negotiated.
