Ray Provides Update On County Businesses

Chuck Ray, president of the Bourbon Economic Development Group and member of the Crawford County Enhanced Enterprise Zone (EEZ) advisory board, provided an update to commissioners on Oct. 15.

Ray provided good news and not-so-good news on the county’s business front.

He told the board an application had been issued to Total Building Solutions, a construction company located between Bourbon and Sullivan.

Ray said they are undergoing construction for an expansion of operations. 

“They’ve signed contracts with the labor unions and have an ample supply of employees,” Ray said, adding they are waiting for the company to complete the application.

Belmont Winery, which closed in 2023 after 13 years in business, has been up for sale in Leasburg. 

Ray said a purchase fell through that would have reimagined the space for “glamping” (glamorous camping). 

Ray said the application would have been closely scrutinized since it may have fallen under retail, which is not eligible for EEZ credits.

District 2 Commissioner Jared Boast called it a “sad deal” and lamented the economic cost of losing Belmont.

He said he didn’t think a deal was completely off the table for purchasing the property, though.

Ray said an application was submitted to Imperial, formerly known as Paramount Apparel. The company has moved operations from its West Sullivan warehouse to Bourbon, along with employees. 

Boast added that it opens up a new opportunity for someone to utilize the warehouse and that he was thankful Imperial kept its business in the county.

Ray also said the biggest challenge for the EEZ board is that it is unknown to so many people. 

Boast said it’s all about getting the word out.

The EEZ program is a state initiative aimed at encouraging economic growth and job creation in targeted areas. These zones are typically designated in regions facing economic challenges, such as high unemployment rates or declining populations. The goal is to attract new businesses and support the expansion of existing ones through a combination of state and local incentives.

Businesses that establish operations within an EEZ can benefit from property tax abatements and state tax credits. To qualify, businesses must meet certain criteria, such as creating new jobs or making substantial capital investments. The types of businesses encouraged in these zones often include manufacturing, technology, distribution, and service-based industries.

Local governments play a key role in administering the program by identifying eligible areas and setting guidelines for property tax incentives. Each zone must meet state standards for economic need, such as having at least 15 percent of households below the poverty line or unemployment rates above the state average.

Incentives include property tax abatement, for which local taxing authorities may abate up to 50 percent of the property taxes on new business investments for up to 10 years.

Qualifying business also can receive refundable tax credits based on the number of jobs created and the level of investment made.