At Tuesday night’s meeting, the City Commission approved a resolution of intent to grant a three-year tiered tax abatement to Avcon Industries for its pending expansion into the former Mennonite Press building at Newton City/County Airport.
Avcon Industries President Marcus Abendroth said the company has been at the airport for about 40 years and now has about 70 employees in its aircraft modification, installation and repair operations. The company is in the process of acquiring the building at 532 N. Oliver to expand its fabrication capabilities.
The company’s total capital investment in the project is estimated at $1.23 million, with 10 new jobs created in the first five years. The tax abatement will exempt the property taxes on the increase in valuation created by the improvements, 75% in year 1, 50% in year 2, and 25% in year 3.
City staff are working with Avcon to draft a development agreement that the City Commission will consider at a future meeting.
The Commission agreed to waive the special use permit process for developer Lou Robelli to crush rock for a parking lot and pad on his land at Southeast Ninth and Industrial Road in the Kansas Logistics Park. The land is zoned I-2, and typically rock crushing would be permitted only in I-3 districts or in I-2 districts with a special use permit because of the potential for dust, noise, and vibration. Waiving the permit requirement would allow the project to move forward without the associated notification and public hearing process.
Because the rock-crushing operation will be temporary, the Commission approved waiving the SUP process and granted Mr. Robelli a permit for rock crushing at the site for 10 consecutive working days.
- Approved a resolution upholding the City environmental hearing officer’s order to demolish a dilapidated structure and clean up the lot at 225 Boyd. The costs associated with demolition will be assessed against the property. The property owners, Mary and Jorge Coronado, had indicated an intention to appeal the decision to District Court.
- Approved an updated road maintenance agreement with Harvey County for roads on City/County boundaries.
- Approved an interlocal agreement with North Newton, Hesston, Halstead, Sedgwick, Burrton, Walton, and Harvey County for Harvey County Economic Development funding.
- Approved applications for 2025 cereal malt beverage licenses.
For more information, please contact Communications Director Erin McDaniel at 316-284-6055 or emcdaniel@newtonkansas.com.
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