The Sherburne County Board Tuesday approved a tax abatement of $54,224 for Ice-O-Metric to assist in the construction of a new 15,587 square foot warehouse/office facility.
Ice-O-Metric, located on 172nd Street in Big Lake Twp., was founded in 1999. The company specializes in construction, repair and remodeling of temperature-controlled environments for food storage and food processing.
The business currently operates in a former residential structure that is being used as an office, with several outbuildings being used for storage.
Owner Nate Scott said he was told his current site is zoned for agriculture, not business/industry, and he wanted to stay in the township. He said he worked with the county to obtain the tax abatement for the new property, which is located just a few hundred yards away in an industrial zone on 197th Ave.
Sherburne County Assistant Administrator Dan Weber said the project would add $828,000 in taxable value and increase the overall tax base by approximately $27,940.
The abatement covers eight years, with an annual tax reimbursement of $6,778.
The project would maintain 27 existing jobs in the community and create a minimum of five new jobs with an average wage of $28.40 over the next two years.
“The property owner thinks there will be more than that, but because of the labor market right now, he didn’t want to over-promise,” said Weber.
He said the project scored high on the county’s tax abatement policy and the Sherburne County EDA recommended approval at their Sept. 20 meeting.
The board voted unanimously to approve the abatement.
Other Business
In other action the board:
* Approved a gambling premises permit renewal for Elk River Lions Club at KJ’s Refuge Bar and Grill in Orrock Twp.;
* Awarded the contract for the cleanout of a portion of County Ditch 15 to Burski Excavating at $25,192.50.
