Jasper Arts: Hoosier Desk tax credit application completed
City officials have applied for a tax credit through the Indiana Economic Development Corporation to potentially cut $3.5 million dollars off the Hoosier Desk pricetag.
The Jasper Public Library and Jasper Community Arts Commission has been exploring a potential partnership in purchasing site and building to create the Jasper Cultural Center. Plans for the development created by CityVision and Gamble Associates were presented to the public in July. A story and presentation on the cultural center can be found here.
Those plans largely depended on repurposing the 100-plus-year-old factory building, however, the Jasper Library Board recently announced they were exploring purchasing the property alone and their plans did not necessarily include reusing the current building. They have maintained that the downtown location is a valuable proposition for the future of the public library.
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During the Arts Commission Board meeting Tuesday night, Jasper City Attorney Renee Kabrick updated the commission on the submission process for an industrial recovery tax credit (sometimes called DINO tax credits due to the reference to large, empty factory buildings).
According to Kabrick, an application for the credits was submitted last Friday. These tax credits will be the mechanism by which the city can float and finance bonds to fund the purchase of the facility.
She stated that the application was reviewed on Monday, and they are now waiting to hear back to see if Jasper made it to the second round of reviews, which takes place on Tuesday, September 8.
According to Kabrick, the credits which could cover up to 25 percent of the cost of the project would be worth between $2 million and $3.5 million.
In other actions, the board heard from:
Doreen Lechner with a facilities and maintenance update. Quotes have been received for a new loading dock garage door replacement. After comparing two quotes, the board approved a door from Dubois County Garage Doors for $1,735.21. The door is a professional grade model and has a higher energy efficiency rating than the second quote.
