East Jordan Establishes Industrial District

Home \ Latest Business \ East Jordan Establishes Industrial District

East Jordan Establishes Industrial District

East Jordan Establishes Industrial District

By B. J. Conley

EAST JORDAN — An Industrial Development District is established on city parcels of land by a resolution passed by city commissioners at a March 2 meeting. The city was petitioned to establish the district by Burnette Foods, Inc.

The five parcels are located at 200 State St. and notices were sent to residents in the area by the city. A public hearing was held at the March 2 meeting prior to passing the resolution.

The city commission then considered a resolution approving an application by Burnette Foods, Inc. for an industrial facilities exemption certificate for real and personal property improvements. Burnette plans to make building improvements and to install new machinery and equipment. The company said that upon completion of facility improvements it is likely to retain, create or prevent the loss of employment in the city.

Commissioners approved the exemption, or tax break, that will be in effect for 12 years to encourage business development and retainment.

Also at the March 2 meeting, commissioners discussed the proposed Drug and Alcohol Policy for city employees that is under consideration for adoption. Interim city administrator, Denny Jason, said he had talked with the department heads who said they believed the proposed policy should only apply to full-time employees and not to volunteers, seasonal employees or board and commissioners.

The decision of whether to send an employee in for a drug or alcohol test rests with the appropriate department head. Jason cautioned against quick judgments about employees.

“We all need to trust the people we have working for us and have them assess each situation to determine whether an employee needs to be sent in for testing or not,” Jason said. “This (policy) can’t be so fine-tuned that you can’t operate and can’t use judgment.”

The next city commission meeting is at 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 16 at City Hall.