Committee approves Project Crate pilot: staff cites 85 jobs and $61M investment

Wilson County budget committee members approved a five‑year pilot tax abatement for "Project Crate," a proposed industrial expansion the presenter said would create roughly 85 net new, high‑quality jobs and represent about $61 million in total investment.

S2 told the committee that Project Crate is proposed for the Providence Central corridor near the new Central Bank interchange in Mount Juliet and that the company expects average starting wages of at least $70,893 plus a comprehensive benefits package. The presenter said the five‑year abatement at the new tax rate would total approximately $1,190,996 over the five‑year period and that the company would still pay approximately $26,158 in personal property taxes during that time.

S2 said the project was unanimously approved by the executive committee for budget committee consideration based on capital investment, job creation, long‑term occupancy of a newly constructed facility and economic diversification considerations, and noted the company is owned by a Wilson County resident.

After presentation, staff invited a motion; the committee recorded a motion and second and approved the pilot by voice vote with "Aye" recorded and no opposition noted.

What this means: The committee approved a tax incentive intended to retain and expand a local company and to encourage continued economic activity in a commercial corridor. Staff cited local ownership and projected sales tax remittances in the company’s favor when recommending approval.

Next steps: The presenter said the item had executive committee support and that standard monitoring and reporting steps tied to state incentives would apply; the committee did not record additional conditions in the transcript.