Explanation
Background: The need exists to enter into a Jobs Growth Incentive Agreement with Ecommerce, Inc. The City has adapted and expanded its concept of the Jobs Growth Incentive tool to apply to areas outside of Downtown to help retain and create jobs in Columbus.
Ecommerce, Inc. is a privately owned web hosting company, founded in 2003 and located in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Ecommerce, Inc. is currently the biggest bandwidth taker in the tri-state area and due to the lack of infrastructure in Kentucky are forced to located its data center elsewhere. Cities being considered for the data center are St. Louis, Atlanta, Chicago and Cincinnati.
The Columbus Department of Development is proposing a Jobs Growth Incentive equal to 30% of the amount of personal income tax withheld on new employees for a term of 3 years.
Emergency action is requested in order to allow Ecommerce, Inc. to begin investing and creating jobs as quickly as possible.
Fiscal Impact: No funding is required for this legislation.
Title
To authorize the Director of Development to enter into a Jobs Growth Incentive agreement equal to 30% of the amount of personal income tax withheld on new employees for a term of 3 years with Ecommerce, Inc., in consideration of Ecommerce, Inc.'s proposed investment of $1,000,000 and the creation of 30 permanent full-time jobs; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the City desires to increase employment opportunities and encourage the creation of new jobs in the City in order to improve the overall economic climate of the City and its citizens; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Development has received a completed application for the Jobs Growth Incentive from Ecommerce, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Ecommerce, Inc. is currently located in Hopkinsville, Kentucky and is proposing to locate a data center at 1774 Dividend Drive; and
WHEREAS, Ecommerce, Inc. has indicated that a Jobs Growth Incentive is crucial to its deci...
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