By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.– Eurotranciatura is purchasing the vacant US Foods building on Hwy. 69, will add new production lines and add 35 new jobs for Henry County.
The Paris City Commission Thursday night approved a PILOT (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes) agreement with the company, which has been a Paris and Henry County employer since 2017. Euro presently has headquarters on Hwy. 54 in the former Tecumseh company building.
Paris-Henry County Industrial Committee Executive Director Rob Goad said the company is purchasing the US Foods building and in the first two years will make more than $2.2M in capital improvement, acquire an estimated $750,000 in new equipment and add 35 new jobs at the site.
The 10-year PILOT agreement would freeze real property taxes at the 2021 value and provide personal tax abatement on the new production equipment.
Goad said acquisition of the US Foods property “is the result of Euro getting the new contract. This is a win-win for everyone. We need jobs and Euro needs to expand. And, they’re going to make that property look much better.”
City officials said since 2017, Euro has grown from 50 employees to 182 full-time employees with 85 temporary workers.
The US Foods building has been vacant for several years. Goad said Euro is purchasing the entire property, which includes multiple buildings.
In other business:
–The commission approved an interlocal agreement with the Henry County School System regarding repairs to Harding Road caused by the recent construction project at the high school’s Patriot Stadium. Due to unexpected complications, there was more heavy truck traffic on Harding Road during the project and resulted in severe damage to the pavement.
City Manager Kim Foster said although the city is ultimately responsible for the condition of all city streets, the school district acknowledged their responsibility for the damage and agreed to reimburse the city $23,409 for repairs. The commission gave Foster and Mayor Carlton Gerrell authority to execute the agreement.
–In her report, Foster applauded the work of the city Parks Department, Administrative Assistant Jessica Crouch and KPAC Director Rhonda Stanton in organizing this year’s Spooktacular.
“When the Downtown Paris Association decided against hosting Spooktacular downtown this year the city decided to take it on as our event,” Foster said. “Rhonda Stanton and Jessica Crouch did an AMAZING job coordinating and re-creating this event in Eiffel Tower Park. John Thompson, Eiffel Tower Park Supervisor, went above and beyond to make sure the park was prepared and even showed us his creative side by assisting Ms. Rhonda with decorations and prop design. There were an estimated 4,000+ attendees even given the less than desirable weather. A number of city employees volunteered and/or had booths. I can’t say enough about all of these employees to relay how proud I am of their contributions and willingness to make this a great event!” She also gave special kudos to the Police, Fire, Finance and General Administration Departments for their contributions.
–Foster also reported the Paris-Henry County Basketball League is now being managed by Mark Tomlin with the assistance of Jessica Crouch. “Several changes have been made and things are going very well. There are almost 500 signed up to participate. Last week an informational meeting was held with all coaches and most seemed very appreciative of the changes. I think Mark and Jessica are on the right track and am hopeful that we will have much fewer issues than in years past,” she said.
Photo: Rob Goad presents information on the Euro agreement to the city commission. (Shannon McFarlin photo).