Chisago County approves tax‑abatement for proposed Kendall Howard manufacturing facility

The Chisago County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a tax‑abatement and business subsidy package for Kendall Howard, LLC, a developer proposing a 230,000‑square‑foot manufacturing facility in the City of Chisago City.

The resolution directs that "the County hereby agrees that upon completion of the Project the County will provide the Developer tax abatement assistance in an amount equal to the increase in property taxes received by the County as a result of the construction of the Project commencing with the first increase in such taxes and continuing thereafter until the earlier of (i) Ten (10) years from such first increase date or (ii) Developers and City receipt of $2,000,000 in total County tax abatement subject to the conditions, contingencies and requirements described herein." The county abatement is further limited so it "shall not exceed $200,000 paid to the Developer or City in any given calendar year." (Resolution language as recorded in the meeting file.)

The developer told the board the project is expected to retain at least 105 full‑time employees and create 120 new full‑time jobs at a base wage of $25.00 per hour. The resolution notes the county abatement is contingent on documentation and execution of a tax abatement and development agreement, and requires the developer to meet the job‑retention and creation commitments in the agreement. The packet also records anticipated municipal and school participation: the City abatement up to $140,000 and school abatement up to $70,000 were noted in the resolution.

The board recorded the motion to approve the resolution and, as reflected in the minutes, the vote was IN FAVOR: Swenson, Greene, Montzka, Dahlberg; ABSTAIN: Dunne. The resolution cites Minnesota Statutes Section 469.1813 and treats the proposed abatement as a business subsidy under Minnesota Statutes 116J.993, Subd. 3(1).