Tiny Turnout for Enterprise Zone Public Hearing

There was a tiny turnout for a public hearing Friday morning on proposed changes to the Effingham/Effingham County Enterprise Zone.

Both members of the public who attended spoke in favor of the changes.

The proposed changes would include a five-year property tax abatement on new single-family home construction and a three-year property tax abatement on new multi-family construction of two units or more. Those projects would also receive a sales tax exemption on permanently-affixed building materials.

Residential rehabilitation projects with a total cost of $50,000 or more would qualify to receive the sales tax exemption on permanently-affixed building materials, but not a property tax abatement.

Cortney Yockey of The Alliance spoke on behalf of the increased incentives, as did Caleb Mette of Effingham Builders Supply, who is also a member of the PAVE Committee supporting increased housing in the community.

All of the affected taxing bodies get to weigh in on the sales tax exemptions. If favorable comments are received, the proposed changes will be submitted to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for final approval.

The proponents believe the changes could lead to more residential construction, which could lead to more residents and a larger workforce.