The Leighton Township Board Thursday evening voted to award Rhino Seed & Landscape Supply a tax abatement of up to 50 percent over 12 years to help with its plans for expansion.
The board adopted a resolution to grant the third generation local business an industrial facilities tax exemption to accommodate plans for a 13,864-square-foot expansion at its current location at 1113 Electric Ave. in the industrial park.
Andy Hilbert, grandson of founder Fred Hilbert, said the company was investing $2.4 million in the project, which he said would add 12 employees.
Rhino Seed, which began operations in 1930 as Cowbell Seeds, deals in straw and mulch erosion control.
In other business at the meeting Thursday night, the board:
- Heard a report from co-director Brenda Mays of the Wayland Area Emergency Services, acknowledging Yankee Springs Township pulling out of the local ambulance service cooperative and relating that the service was particularly busy over the winter with many calls about the flu.
- Accepted the low bid of $26,456 from Oetman Excavating for paving the west corner. of the township library and township hall. Clerk Rachel Fennema declared, “This is significantly lower than what Brandon (engineer) Meiras recommended.
- Listened to a report from Fire Chief Matt Weston noting the department is back up to 27 members and continues to be busy in handling 149 incidents thus far this year.
- Discussed the possibility of developing local ordinances to handle food trucks and short-term rentals, including air b and bs.
