The Plymouth City Council members opened a public hearing Monday night concerning a tax abatement request from the Viking Paper Corporation.
Marshall County Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Greg Hildebrand and Viking Paper Corporation President and CEO Justin Mooter discussed the expansion taking place at the company at 1001 Pidco Drive in Plymouth. Hildebrand noted that it will be about a $7.8 million investment in equipment at the current facility. Mooter said a conservative estimate of one new job will be created with the retention of about 43 jobs at the plant, but could not pinpoint how many additional jobs could be created.
Mooter said a previous tax abatement request allowed the company to build a 40,000 square foot addition to the building with a rail spur to accommodate demand and efficiency. The new equipment will allow the company to create the longest sheets of corrugated sheets in North America. It will create a 315” corrugated board while the current equipment only produces a 204” corrugated board.
Mooter noted that there are several semi truck loads of orders that cannot be filled as the facility does not have the equipment to satisfy demand. Now the company will be able to install the equipment to conduct more business for customer orders.
There was no other public comment.
Later in the meeting, the Plymouth City Council members unanimously approved a motion to approve a resolution that would confirm the adoption of a Declaratory Resolution designating certain real estate within the City of Plymouth to be with an Economic Revitalization Area for purposes of personal property tax abatement for Viking Paper Corporation. It will be a seven-year phase-in tax abatement.
