Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Evansville public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
5 issues in business jobs with high priority
1700 LLC and Qualis property tax phase-in
A new locally-founded plastics company gets a preliminary ten-year tax phase-in to reopen the vacant former Lionel Bassell building with $10 million in investment and 35 new jobs — including recommissioning the site's rail line.
Indoor Sports Facility Feasibility Study
The city, via Mayor Terry, wants $30,610 in tourism capital funds for a study of a possible $80-100 million indoor sports complex for basketball, volleyball and indoor track. Council tabled it until bonding and funding questions are answered.
Economic development and site readiness
E-REP's report celebrated TaylorMade's $60 million expansion that saved 150 local jobs, but the county lost out on 11 of 13 business attraction searches because it lacks ready sites and large modern buildings. Commissioners floated restarting a shell-building program at the industrial park.
Taylor Made Golf tax phase-in agreement
The county signed a memorandum of agreement granting a property tax phase-in for Taylor Made Golf's new plant at 6700 Petersburg Road, with a clawback if the company doesn't deliver. Construction is already visibly underway. It's framed as a major economic development win for the county.
Polyram USA expansion tax phase-in
Polyram, an Israeli-owned advanced plastics maker, is expanding its Evansville plant by $12.1 million, adding 29 jobs paying in the high $30s an hour. The council approved the preliminary phase-in with a waiver because construction started before the formal application.