After debate, Elkhart council finds American Technology Components in compliance despite job shortfall

Councilors spent a lengthy portion of the July 27 meeting debating whether American Technology Components (ATC) had made reasonable efforts to meet the terms of its statement of benefits. Economic development staff reported that ATC had exceeded the real property investment target (above the originally stated amount) but had not met its job-creation commitments. Drew Wines (economic development) and Mike Huber (development services) explained the city’s process for the Economic Revitalization Area (ERA) compliance review and the default that noncompliance for a year does not terminate future eligibility unless council specifies termination.

Jordan Hester, ATC’s CFO, told the council the company ‘‘came in well over 23,000,000’’ in investment and said wages and total dollars were closer to targets even though headcount lagged. Hester described market declines in the RV industry and said ATC was at about 165 employees, "so, those were a couple points to consider and see if you could mark us an appliance based off those." (verbatim as in transcript). Councilmember Henke moved to find ATC noncompliant; that motion failed. The council then moved to find ATC in compliance and passed that motion 6–2. Several council members emphasized fairness to other companies and the need to be consistent in future compliance decisions.