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Monroe County EDC recommends tax abatement for Skiintia LLC expansion, citing 30 projected jobs
Summary
The commission unanimously approved a recommendation to the county council to grant a tax abatement for Skiintia LLC’s planned expansion in Bloomington, after the company outlined a roughly $1 million investment and an anticipated 30 new positions over five years.
The Monroe County Economic Development Commission on June 9 unanimously recommended that the county council approve a tax abatement for Skiintia LLC as the company seeks to double its office and lab footprint and expand hiring.
Doug McDaniel, president and managing member of Skiintia LLC and Interchange Investments, told the commission the company works primarily with Department of Defense customers on sensor-integration and persistent-surveillance software, is moving into counter-unmanned aerial system capabilities and artificial intelligence, and currently employs about 40 people. "We're hoping to add 30 additional employees over the next five years," McDaniel said, and described an estimated $1 million cost to build an additional roughly 6,000-square-foot facility to double capacity.
Clark Grryer, interim CEO of the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation, and commission members emphasized local benefits. Grryer noted that roughly 75% of McDaniel's employees live in Monroe County and that the types of jobs—software development, cybersecurity and data analysis—are higher-wage roles. The commission’s discussion referenced wages and benefits paid by the company and the prospect of retaining graduates from local institutions.
Commissioner Greg Travis disclosed a long personal acquaintance with McDaniel and asked whether he should recuse himself; legal staff advised that a recusal would be required only if Travis has a pecuniary interest, and that abstention is an option if he felt unable to be neutral. Travis voted with the majority.
With no public comment, the commission voted 3-0 in favor of forwarding the tax-abatement recommendation to the county council. Chair Fred Schultz said staff will coordinate presentation of the recommendation to the council.
