PHOTO: GH Metal Solutions offers contract metal working services and is located on Airport Road. The amended abatement increased the amount of capital investment by almost half a million dollars and extended it for a year; until the end of 2019. (Tyler Pruett | Southern Torch)
By Tyler Pruett, Managing Editor
FORT PAYNE, Ala. — (Scroll Down for Video) At today's meeting of the Fort Payne City Council, the council approved Ordinance 2018-25, Amending Resolution 2015-26 and 2018-26 granting new tax abatements to GH Metal Solutions, located on Airport Road.
Pam Clay, Business Retention and Expansion Director for the DeKalb Co. Economic Development Authority, and Edwin Stanley, Vice President of Operations for GH Metal addressed the council prior to approving the abatements.
According to GH Metal Solutions website, the business offers, "in house laser cutting, bar and tube processing, stamping, machining, sawing and welding services. We are also able to offer powder painting, e-coating, and zinc plating services prior to parts delivery. We supply companies in the lift-truck, tractor, overhead crane, and electrical components industries."
The facility, located on Airport Road near the interstate has, "200,000 square feet of manufacturing space"
Clay said that GH was asking to, "modify abatements originally granted in December of 2015 to modify the building, purchase new manufacturing equipment, and add employees."
Ordinance 2018-25 would amend the original capital investment of the city from $9,333,900.00, to $9,756,000.00. These tax abatements come from the non-educational sales and use tax, and the non-educational property tax. The amendment also extends the abatement for an additional year; from December 31, 2018 to December 31, 2019. The resolution also, "reclassified some of the capital investment items."
According to Clay, the abatement allowed them to add an additional 30 jobs this year; bringing GH up to 400 total employees at their facility in town. According to Stanley, GH Metal had added 75 new jobs total at the end of March 2017.
"To date, (GH Metal) has invested $5.9 million of the $9,756,000.00," concluded Clay.
"Do you foresee adding more (jobs) in the future?" Councilman Gerald Taylor asked Stanley in the meeting.
"If we can find the people. It's a challenge," stated Stanley. "If we continue to grow; it's been a good year. Last year was a great year, and this year we are off to a good start."
Taylor then said, "Well I feel like we need to support our local businesses; that are in business here and doing good, so I make a motion we approve."
The council then approved both resolutions regarding GH Metal Solutions.
Other items addressed at the meeting:
- The City of Fort Payne presented plaques to honor employees Terry Noles (Fort Payne Police Department) and Tommy Evans (Fort Payne Fire Department) on their retirements. Noles served 25 years in law enforcement for the City of Fort Payne and Evans for 23 years total.
Several city departments received certificates from the United Giver's Fund for meeting their donation goals, including the Street Department, Building Maintenance, Animal Control, Cemetery, and Sanitation Departments.
The next meeting of the Fort Payne City Council will be held on May 15, 2018.
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