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County council approves $500,000 TIF incentive for Sustainea on first reading
Summary
Tippecanoe County Council voted 7-0 on May 12 to approve the first reading of Ordinance 2026-13-CL, authorizing a $500,000 TIF forgivable loan to Sustainea tied to job-creation targets for a proposed 40,000 sq. ft. facility.
Tippecanoe County Council voted 7-0 on May 12 to approve the first reading of Ordinance 2026-13-CL, authorizing up to $500,000 from the Southeast Industrial TIF district as an incentive for Sustainea.
Council President Jody Hamilton called the vote after Attorney Doug Masson explained the incentive structure: the $500,000 would be provided as a forgivable loan if Sustainea attains a commitment of 191 jobs paying $46 per hour. Masson said the proposed project is an approximately $300 million investment to build a roughly 40,000‑square‑foot facility and that the county’s loan would be coordinated with incentives from the City of Lafayette.
The ordinance passed on first reading with Councilmember Ben Murray moving the motion, Barry Richard seconding and Auditor Jennifer Weston recording the vote: Vernon Y; Basham Y; Dullum Y; Murray Y; Richard Y; Carson Y; Hamilton Y. The ordinance is scheduled for a second reading on June 9, 2026. If adopted following the ordinance and a separate loan agreement by the Commissioners, the county would execute a note to provide payment to the project as the loan conditions are met.
Why it matters: The incentive ties a significant local subsidy to specific job‑creation and wage targets. Council members and county staff framed the package as a way to secure jobs and investment in the Southeast Industrial TIF district while sharing the costs with the City of Lafayette.
What officials said: Attorney Masson described the mechanism as a forgivable loan drawn under a note after the Commissioners enter into a loan agreement. Auditor Jennifer Weston and Murray answered questions about funding and confirmed the money would come from existing TIF revenue in the Southeast Industrial district.
What’s next: Second reading is set for June 9, 2026, after which the Commissioners would need to finalize any loan agreement and note if the ordinance is adopted.
