County Council Oks ATAX Distributions, Tax Incentives for Spec Buildings

Observer Reports

Anderson County Council approved $465,195 in ATAX funding distributions to 55 local organizations, moved ahead on a pair of tax incentives for new speculative building investment and moved ahead in approving a new zoning district as part of Tuesday’s meeting.

Accommodations Tax Committee funds are tourism-generated revenue from local events, museums and marketing initiatives. The funds are generated by the county’s tax on overnight lodging including hotels, motels, bed-and-breakfasts and short-term vacation rentals and are legally required to be spent on initiatives that drive tourism and overnight stays. State law requires municipalities and counties to reinvest the money directly into tourism-promoting initiatives, civic events, and marketing campaigns designed to attract out-of-town visitors and stimulate the local economy.

Council approved, on first reading, tax incentives for Big Brother, which is offering a $34 million investment in the county, though no new jobs were listed in the filing.

Council also approved, on first reading, tax incentives for a project tagged “St. Nick.” The company will provide a minimum $26 million investment, but the jolly old firm did not disclose any new jobs as part of the agreement.

The investments are in spec buildings, which, if the past few years are a barometer, are expected to be filled with new businesses bringing jobs.

Council also gave second-reading approval to allow voters of the Broadview Voting District the opportunity to choose zoning in their precinct in November.

Voters in the district early petitioned council to join three other precincts seeking zoning on the general election ballot.