Allen commissioners approve CRA
Apr. 17—LIMA — As discussion continues around the possibility of a data center coming to American Township, the Allen County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution Thursday establishing a Community Reinvestment Area in the vicinity of North Cole Street and Bluelick Road, a designation meant to help incentivize investment.
An area with a CRA designation qualifies for property tax exemptions for exisiting property owners to construct or renovate buildings as a means of spurring economic development. Able to last up to 15 years, the exmption could reach up to 100 percent, with any exemption over 75 percent requiring the consent of the affected public school district.
The designated area is closer to the original area proposed in early February, covering just under 400 acres bordered by North Cole Street, Bluelick Road, and Irvin Road, reaching midway between Cole Street and West Street. An expanded CRA covering 887 total acres was briefly considered but later rejected.
"This is to develop an area in the township that we have been looking at for quite some time in the American Township area because of its current zoning," Allen Economic Development Group President and CEO Cynthia Leis said. "It just incentivizes development in that area."
Thursday's vote was a last-minute addition to the board agenda. Commissioner Beth Seibert emphasized that this area only encompasses properties optioned to the Allen County Port Authority that the landowners are willing to consider for the potential data center project.
"We have landowners willing to engage in this possible project," she said. "That is what the optioning to the Port Authority means to me."
This does not mean a data center has been approved, Seibert said.
With Thursday's resolution approved, the application for the creation of the CRA will now be sent to the Ohio Department of Development for approval.
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