A state tax abatement will help a local tool and die company create 21 jobs in Detroit.
Ronart Industries of Detroit was interested in expansion, says Brian Watkins, manager of incentives programs for the city’s Planning and Development Department, and came to the city in search of the 26 available tool and die recovery zone abatements available.
"Several taxes are abated because they’re in the zone," Watkins says. "What it does is allows them to expand their business by way of employee their base in Detroit."
The company currently employs about 60, he says, and will add about 21.
"What contributed to making their case was they were looking to fill those jobs through cooperation with the Detroit Workforce Development Department and hire city of Detroit residents to fill these jobs. It’s a win-win – the city gets to experience an increase in the amount of jobs, and Ronart experiences the effects of a decreased tax obligation."
Detroit City Council has approved the request, Watkins says, and now the state must sign off. The abatement is good for 12 years.
The company is hiring machinists, Watkins says, and plans to call upon community service nonprofit Focus: Hope to help fill some spots. Focus: Hope, he says, has a machinist training program.
Source: Brian Watkins, City of Detroit
Writer: Nancy Kaffer
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