The Comstock Township Board approved a 12-year industrial facilities tax exemption on October 19 for RW LaPine’s service division expansion.
The exemption covers only a new addition of about 2,048 square feet. Company representatives said the service division has outgrown its current space and that the rest of the facility is being renovated without an exemption on that work. They said the expansion is expected to add about 20 jobs, including electricians and HVAC and plumbing technicians, and to retain about 10 existing jobs. They described it as part of a larger three-year investment in Comstock Township and the company’s St. Joseph branch.
How the exemption works
Before the vote, Riley Lukomski, Senior Director of Economic Development at Southwest Michigan First, explained the state program to the board. He said new industrial construction can be taxed at half its value for up to 12 years. Existing buildings stay fully taxable, and the exemption does not cover special assessments or the state education tax. The property already sits in an industrial development district the township created. The township then holds a public hearing and considers a formal application. The State Tax Commission gives final approval.
What the township built in
The township attorney said the agreement requires the company to deliver the jobs described in its application and to file an annual project performance report under oath with the clerk. If the company falls short, the township can seek to recover the abated taxes, which would typically mean negotiating or going to court. Clerk Amber Lawrence said she plans to review the township’s existing exemptions with the assessor and report back to the board.
At the public hearing
Speakers generally supported the expansion. One resident asked whether the jobs would be new to the area or filled by workers moving between local employers. Another speaker asked the company to create pathways for Comstock residents to enter apprenticeship programs. A company representative said the company works with local career and technical students and with apprenticeship programs.
The board’s motion passed, and the application now goes to the State Tax Commission. The full meeting is available to watch on Public Media Network.
