Boar's Head gets tax break on Henry County expansion project

“If Henry County is selected, it provides an opportunity for future expansion in the distribution area of their company,” Murphy said.

Murphy presented a resolution to the council requesting a 100 percent abatement of real and personal property taxes on the proposed facility for the next 10 years. Murphy said the abatement would help the Henry County location compete against other current Boar’s Head sites for the distribution center.

“This is now a business retention and expansion (project), with a focus on expansion,” Murphy said.

Cliff Rhoades, Boar’s Head director of purchasing, estimated the project would take approximately nine months and could start as soon as January, if New Castle is selected.

Councilman Harold Griffin said Boar’s Head has already been a good partner in the community and the abatement could be a good opportunity to continue growing the partnership.

“The total abatement is an unusual thing,” Councilman Mike Thalls acknowledged. “It was kind of a natural course to wanYt to get this distribution center, also. We felt like we had to give our best offer to make sure we get it.”

The final vote was 5-0. Council president Nate LaMar was out of town Wednesday for business.