Daviess County County approves abatement for new building

A Daviess County man approached the council Wednesday seeking an abatement for a project that he anticipates adding up to 60 jobs in the county. Kevin Bush, along with the Executive Director of the Daviess County Economic Development Corp. Ron Arnold, requested the council approve an abatement for a facility Bush plans to build and anticipates leasing out to Crane contractors near the WestGate @ Crane Technology Park.

Bush said if the council approved his abatement request, construction would begin soon, and he’d start advertising the building. Based on the needs of the contractors, the facility could be used for office space, lab space or warehouse space.

“Right now, the needs appear to be more office/lab space,” Bush said, “which means we’re leaning toward heavier employment rather than lighter.”

Arnold affirmed Bush’s plans and said the construction of this facility would be “really filling a need” for space.

Hesitation came from some council members because of the lack of certainty as to the type of building.

“If we set a precedent here and give a tax abatement on a warehouse building, we’re going to have to expect to see people coming in here expecting that,” Councilman Ken Solliday said. He added that previously a deciding factor had been the number of jobs the establishment would provide the community.

Bush said he would like to put up additional buildings in the area after this one.

“We do need these jobs here. We do need the capability of having infrastructure here,” Bush said. “My feeling is if you build it they will come. If you don’t build it, there’s no chance of them coming.”

All of the contractors for the build will be from Daviess County.

The commissioners approved the abatement for Bush.

They decided abatements would be decided on by a case-by-case basis.