Economic development announcement

Project code-named “Joe” is an ordinance given final approval last night by the Oconee County Council.  And it drew praise from Matthew Durham, the council chairman, for Horton Manufacturing for that company’s expanding operations near Westminster.  After last night’s open end of the council meeting, 101.7/WGOG NEWS learned that an announcement detailing a special source revenue agreement between the county and Horton is being timed for release this afternoon. Backup material provided the council last night shows the expansion means a $15 million investment to add to the Horton building and new machinery.  It’s to mean 23 new jobs. As to the financial impact, the expansion is to generate an estimated $1.9 million in property taxes over the first ten years.  The special source revenue deal and a 5-year state manufacturer’s abatement are estimated to allow Horton a property tax reduction of $1.1 million over the first ten years.