Allen County Council approved a $230 million tax cut for the Fort Wayne General Motors Assembly pant. The company is looking to upgrade one of their facilities, and make it the home of their next generation of pick-up trucks. This abatement is a little different, because the company will only get the tax cut if GM picks our local plant for the project. The local G.M. spokesperson, Stephanie Jentgen, says this is just the first step.
G.M. recently approached the Allen County Council and the Fort Wayne Assembly plant in Roanoke, telling them they're one of several being considered for the upgrade. Fort Wayne Assembly is putting to together a package to entice G.M. to pick them. The tax break is a major piece of the puzzle. Paula Hughes, the President of Allen County Council says “Absolutely, it is crucial that GM continue to invest in the Allen County property and in that plant. That continues to ensure the viability of the plant going into the future and we want GM for a long time.”
G.M. currently has several tax abatements. The one approved Thursday morning will only be added if the company chooses Fort Wayne Assembly for the upgrades. The possible investment won't bring more jobs, but rather secure the ones already here. Jentgen says “The biggest value we see is it will help us retain the employees we have here at Fort Wayne Assembly. It will also allow us to maintain a level of sustainability and security.”
The local plant spokesperson says they don't' know when GM will make the final decision.
They hope to hear something in the first quarter of the New Year.
