Fairhope, Alabama
INDUSTRIAL BOARD MEETS
James Foley, co-owner of the Fairhope Brewing Company located at 914 Middle St., announced plans to expand his business into a vacant building next door by purchasing additional brewing and bottling equipment that could eventually dramatically increase his production capacity -- to be distributed throughout the Mobile and Pensacola area.
Local consumption at the existing taproom bar will not increase, Foley said.
The new equipment will cost over $523,000.
He plans to start leasing the building on Oct. 1st and hopefully start production in 4 - 5 months; and will eventually need 2 new full time employees and up to 5 part-timers.
APPLIES FOR TAX ABATEMENT
After the Board voted unanimously in favor, Foley signed documents applying for a state/city property tax abatement (on the new equipment only) that will have now have to be approved by the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance.
If finally approved, the tax savings could amount up to about $1,900 /yr. -- for ten years, according to Board Chairman Bob Gentle.
NEW COFFEE ROASTING CO. EXPANDING TOO
Also, Fairhope native Hanson Eskridge announced plans to open a coffee bean roasting facility in a vacant building on Commercial Park Dr. -- between Nichols and Middle Sts.
Hanson said he learned the process working 3 years in Minnesota for Bull Run Coffee Roaster -- and had a vision to start one in his hometown: He returned to Fairhope about a year ago.
For the past two months, he has been operating his home-based Fairhope Roasting Company (click) by himself -- selling bags on the internet and in local businesses and shops, like the Windmill Market.
The website describes the company as a "locally owned, small batch, specialty coffee roaster ... ."
He had looked into locating to a vacant building on Fairhope Ave. across from the post office, but ran into zoning issues being so close to residences (odors possible); the location in the M-1 industrial zone on Commercial Park Dr. is more suitable.
Eskridge intends to begin leasing the space on Oct. 1st -- and start operating by Jan. 1st of next year. There would be three employees at first and probably at least one more needed later.
Although intended primarily as a wholesale and internet-only distributor, he said some retail walk-ins would be welcome too.
Eskridge said he wanted the business to become a part of the community: "... want the community to come in ... see how its done ... ."
He did not request tax abatements from the city at this meeting, but expects to do so.
The roasting equipment could cost as much as $60,000.
Long-time Fairhope resident Will Carlton is Eskridge's business partner.
TAX ABATEMENT POLICY DISCUSSED
At the end of the meeting, the Board discussed tax abatement policy in general and under what conditions they should be granted.
Plusses mentioned were encouraging desirable businesses, additional jobs; and minuses the city loses tax revenue and may be setting unexpected precedents if all applications are just "rubber-stamped."
After the meeting, member Jack Burrell told the Times' business reporter that tax abatements should be mutually beneficial:
The Industrial Development Board is appointed by the city council; but is governed by state law.
INDUSTRIAL BOARD MEETS
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| Fairhope Brewing Co. |
Local consumption at the existing taproom bar will not increase, Foley said.
The new equipment will cost over $523,000.
He plans to start leasing the building on Oct. 1st and hopefully start production in 4 - 5 months; and will eventually need 2 new full time employees and up to 5 part-timers.
APPLIES FOR TAX ABATEMENT
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| Foley, standing |
After the Board voted unanimously in favor, Foley signed documents applying for a state/city property tax abatement (on the new equipment only) that will have now have to be approved by the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance.
If finally approved, the tax savings could amount up to about $1,900 /yr. -- for ten years, according to Board Chairman Bob Gentle.
NEW COFFEE ROASTING CO. EXPANDING TOO
Also, Fairhope native Hanson Eskridge announced plans to open a coffee bean roasting facility in a vacant building on Commercial Park Dr. -- between Nichols and Middle Sts.
.jpg) |
| Eskridge, facing on right |
For the past two months, he has been operating his home-based Fairhope Roasting Company (click) by himself -- selling bags on the internet and in local businesses and shops, like the Windmill Market.
The website describes the company as a "locally owned, small batch, specialty coffee roaster ... ."
He had looked into locating to a vacant building on Fairhope Ave. across from the post office, but ran into zoning issues being so close to residences (odors possible); the location in the M-1 industrial zone on Commercial Park Dr. is more suitable.
Eskridge intends to begin leasing the space on Oct. 1st -- and start operating by Jan. 1st of next year. There would be three employees at first and probably at least one more needed later.
Although intended primarily as a wholesale and internet-only distributor, he said some retail walk-ins would be welcome too.
Eskridge said he wanted the business to become a part of the community: "... want the community to come in ... see how its done ... ."
He did not request tax abatements from the city at this meeting, but expects to do so.
The roasting equipment could cost as much as $60,000.
Long-time Fairhope resident Will Carlton is Eskridge's business partner.
TAX ABATEMENT POLICY DISCUSSED
At the end of the meeting, the Board discussed tax abatement policy in general and under what conditions they should be granted.
Plusses mentioned were encouraging desirable businesses, additional jobs; and minuses the city loses tax revenue and may be setting unexpected precedents if all applications are just "rubber-stamped."
After the meeting, member Jack Burrell told the Times' business reporter that tax abatements should be mutually beneficial:
'We need to carefully consider the benefits of each business, such as, are they adding jobs? Is it a business we want? We do not want to be a tax clearing house to justify our existence. I feel justified in the recently granted abatement, but if we don’t ask those tough questions, we will find ourselves as one committee person stated, just “clerks”.'
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| Commercial Park Dr. |
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