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Committee reviews proposed CRA agreement for Ares Sportswear, defers action
Summary
Regional planning presented a proposed CRA agreement for Ares Sportswear to relocate to 645 Bellefontaine Ave. The company seeks to relocate and expand jobs; the draft calls for a 75% abatement over 12 years (owner asked for 100%). Staff recommended deferring formal action until a 30‑day notice period elapses to allow any affected jurisdictions to respond.
Regional planning asked the Jobs & Economic Development Committee to review a proposed Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) agreement with Ares Sportswear, a relocation that staff said would bring 18 full‑time and 20 part‑time employees from Hilliard and add further hires to reach a projected total by 2028.
Ken Legeza of regional planning said the company earlier requested a 100% abatement for 12 years but the draft before the committee applies a 75% abatement on the building improvements. "He had asked for a 100% for 12 years," Legeza said; "he had no problem" with the adjusted 75% structure after conversation with staff.
Councilman Barr flagged a template issue in the draft that referenced Fastenal and noted prior CRA contracts had clawback provisions requiring repayment if firms left early. Legeza confirmed the draft will include a clawback provision and recommended waiting until at least Aug. 3 — a 30‑day window after notice was sent to the other jurisdiction — before formal council action so Hilliard or other bodies could raise objections.
Committee members asked staff for a fiscal impact analysis showing city revenue foregone under the abatement and projected income‑tax revenue from new jobs; staff agreed to provide those figures. No final action was taken; the proposal will return to committee after staff provides revised documents and the statutory notice period passes.
