Unit 5 board asked to approve first phase of Brandt tax breaks

Posted on April 9, 2019

 

Brandt
Brandt Industries is said to have exceeded requirements to receive tax breaks from local governments after the first year of a development agreement. (From Brandt website)

 

By Howard Packowitz

NORMAL – Another local taxing body is expected to vote Wednesday whether to make good on an agreement to cut property taxes for a Canadian firm that’s making agricultural equipment at a factory just north of Normal.

The Unit 5 School Board is being asked to abate all 2018 property taxes on two parcels of land and half of the taxes on three other parcels owned by Brandt Industries.

District administrators said Brandt has satisfied required conditions of the first year of a multi-year agreement to provide Brandt with tax incentives. Earlier this year, Brandt had 77 full-time workers, exceeding the company’s pledge to employ 50 full-timers by now.

The Heartland Community College Board took similar action in Brandt’s favor last month.

The Unit 5 School Board meets Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Normal West High School.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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