Explanation
BACKGROUND: Columbus City Council (“COUNCIL”), by Ordinance No. 1181-2016, passed May 16, 2016, authorized the City of Columbus (“CITY”) to enter into an Enterprise Zone Agreement (the “AGREEMENT”) with Ball Metal Food Container, LLC (hereinafter, referred to as “ENTERPRISE”), for a real property tax abatement of seventy-five percent (75%) for a period of ten (10) consecutive years in consideration of a proposed total capital investment of approximately $15,000,000.00, which included approximately $7,000,000.00 in real property improvements to expand its existing 352,611 square foot manufacturing facility by approximately 80,000 square feet located at 2690 Charter St. Columbus, OH 43228, parcel number 560-189899 (the “PROJECT SITE”). Additionally, the ENTERPRISE committed to create fifty (50) net new full-time permanent positions with an associated annual payroll of approximately $2,500,000.00 and retain one-hundred and forty-six (146) full-time jobs with an estimated annual payroll of approximately $10,800,000.00 at the PROJECT SITE. The AGREEMENT was made and entered into effective July 21, 2016, with the PROJECT expected to begin approximately June 2016, with all real property improvements expected to be completed by approximately June 2017 and with the abatement to commence no later than 2018 nor extend beyond 2027 (Agreement No. 023-16-01).
Paragraph thirteen within Section 6 (Program Compliance) of the AGREEMENT states that the “AGREEMENT is not transferable or assignable without the express, written, approval of the CITY”.
In a letter from Sonoco Products Company on behalf of the ENTERPRISE dated July 10, 2025, received by the CITY and through ensuing correspondence, Ball Metal Food Container, LLC confirmed that the company has been acquired by Sonoco Products Company as of January 27, 2022 and therefore a need exists to transfer all of its interest in the metal packaging facility built at 2690 Charter St. Columbus, OH 43228, parcel number ...
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