KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Kalamazoo City Commissioners will finalize action on a controversial tax break for Graphics Packaging tonight as an October 29 deadline approaches.
The Company has spent $600 million upgrading their plant, and plans to hire 100 more employees, bringing a lot of new tax base to the city.
But their history of poor environmental stewardship has them at odds with residents on the northeast side of the city, particularly related to a notorious odor in the area for the last several decades.
Commissioners will be asked Monday night to extend the current tax break five years, with an option for the firm to apply for six more.
City Attorney Clyde Robinson says even if Commissioners say no, the company could still get a tax break.
“It is possible that even if this body says no to the application, Graphic Packaging can appeal to the State Tax Commission, and that body can grant the exemption,” Robinson said.
He says the city would have to prove Graphics Packaging failed to build the facilities and hire the workers stated in their application. They have met or exceeded both of those promises, according to Robinson.
“If it is rejected, then the reasons for the revocation have to be stated in the resolution,” Robinson said. “The odor issue, as we were told, is not relevant to the issue of the tax abatement.”
The company has signed a separate agreement to work with the city to reduce odors coming from the plant, and have already taken some steps to do so.
While state environmental officials reported preliminary findings two weeks ago that the odor from the plant isn’t at dangerous levels, it is considered a public nuisance causing stress, which can make residents vulnerable to illness.
Local, State and Federal environmental agencies are continuing long term studies on the impact of the plant’s emissions.
The meeting begins Monday night at 7 p.m. and can be streamed through the city’s YouTube and Facebook channels.
To view the agenda for the meeting and supporting documents, click here.
— Copy written by John McNeil with contributions from Brandon James. —
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