Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke says incentives are needed to land Berry Global’s $70 million expansion.
The plastics maker is headquartered in Evansville, but Winnecke tells WNIN he’s not taking anything for granted.
The city has offered the company about $4.2 million in tax breaks, including five years of property tax abatement and up to $100,000 of casino tax revenue to go toward training new employees who are Evansville residents.
Winnecke said the city is competing with at least one other location…
("If they want to consider a $70 million addition, we want to do everything we can to compete for those jobs and that investment.")
Berry says the expansion would add 150 jobs over the next three years.
Winnecke said the city’s incentive package is responsible…
("If we don't offer incentives, we're not even going to be in the discussion. The key for us is to offer a responsible incentive package and we fell what we've put on the table is just that.")
The City Council preliminarily approved the incentives this week.
The Council is expected to confirm the tax package at its next meeting.
The expansion would add four thermoforming lines with seven new printers for the production of drink cups and lids.
The average wage for the new jobs is more than $21 an hour.