By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Paris, Tenn.—The city of Paris has been awarded a Community Transportation Planning Grant from TDOT and City Manager Kim Foster told the commission Thursday evening that unlike most grants, “this is a fast-moving grant”. City officials had announced just last month that they were applying for the grant.
Foster said the grant monies will be used for signalization for the city. City commission authorized Mayor Carlton Gerrell to sign all necessary documents to avoid delays. The initial grant will pay for preparation of the signalization plans, Foster.
The changes to signalization will not be noticeable to the public, but will enable the signals to change over to digital.
Commissioners also approved the PILOT agreement for Revel Industries that already been approved by the Henry County Commission and the Industrial Development Board. PILOT is an acronym which stands for Payment In Lieu Of Taxes.
As he has before the county commission and industrial development board, Industrial Committee CEO David Hamilton told commissioners that Revel is expanding and is entering into an agreement to purchase the spec building at the Paris Industrial Park on Hwy. 641 S.
Revel has two businesses: Revel Logging and Revel Enterprises. The PILOT agreement is for Revel Enterprises, which is a fulfillment center for Amazon.com.
The city’s Industrial Development Board is authorized by offer tax abatements to entice investments in the community. Other PILOT agreements have been approved by the city and county for local industries and businesses that have expanded in the past.
The Revel agreement is a 15-year, 100 percent tax abatement on the real property and a seven-year, 100 percent tax abatement on the personal property. The agreement will allow Revel to hire an additional 50 employees over a five year period.
Commissioners also approved the addition of 3.16 acres from the adjoining property to the parcel on which the spec building sits.
In other business:
- The commission approved appointments to boards. Vickey Roberts was appointed to replace Brad St. John and Rachel Terrel was reappointed to the planning commission; Troy Buttrey was reappointed to the industrial development board, while Tae Eaton will be replaced by Michael Murphey.
- The commission approved two rezoning requests that have already gone through the planning approval process: rezoning for two vacant lots on Avalon Drive from B-1 to R-1; and rezoning of property owned by Brian Milliken at 79 Culpepper Drive from M-1 to R-2.
Photo: Industrial Committee CEO David Hamilton presents information on the Revel agreement to city commissioners. (Shannon McFarlin photo).