Expansion of local plants a good sign for Tecumseh

By DEB WUETHRICHThey may just be ripples in terms of a recovering economy, but new investment by three Tecumseh manufacturing firms put smiles on the faces of Tecumseh City Council members and city officials recently. The council approved a resolution Monday night approving an application for an Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption for 12 years for Ervin Industries, of 200 Industrial Drive. The company has been working on a $428,000 expansion in order to help maintain the company’s position as the leading producer of lead-free shotgun shot in North America.“Obviously, this is welcome to us, especially from a revenue standpoint and from an economic development standpoint,” said Tecumseh City Manager Kevin Welch. “We appreciate the company doing this in our community.”“It’s good to see more manufacturers invest money not only in the city, but in their business and in people,” said Tecumseh City Council member Ron Wimple.Also at Monday night’s meeting, the council set public hearings for: Monday, Oct. 17, 7:35 p.m. to hear comments regarding an application for an Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate for Glycon Corporation; Monday, Oct. 17, 7:40 p.m., to consider establishing an Industrial Development District located at GLOV Enterprises, 412 S. Maumee St.; and Monday, Oct. 17, 8 p.m., to hear comments regarding application by GLOV Enterprises for an Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate.Glycon is working on a 4,000 square-foot manufacturing addition to its existing building at 912 Industrial Drive and adding machinery for a total cost of approximately $959,000. The addition is expected to retain 30 jobs and possibly expand to create 10 new jobs over the next two years.Welch said that the Industrial Development District had to first be established at the GLOV Enterprises site prior to considering the application for the Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate, as it has not been done for the site upon which the addition is taking place. GLOV plans to invest approximately $223,000 to purchase a 1,500-ton injection molding machine, robot and associated equipment. The expansion is expected to regain at least six existing jobs, and could create eight more jobs within the next two years.“I think it’s great that we have these factories showing an interest in expanding in Tecumseh,” said Council member Gary Naugle. “I think it says a lot for our city and they’re helping people out. We need more of that.”The city manager also addressed the council regarding a review of five-year projections for the Water and Sewer Funds. He recommended that the counsel take a closer look after the first quarter ends to see actual numbers for this year.“It looks like in the Water Fund, we could anticipate a rate increase, or at least we might be seeing a need for one,” said Welch. “The Sewer Fund looks in pretty good shape. We should look again after the quarter technically ends and then project over the next three quarters to see where we’re at.”In other business the council members:• Approved three updated job descriptions for Administrative Assistant, Director of Cultural and Leisure Services, and the TCA Manager. Welch reiterated that the affected positions are actually the result of eliminating two full-time positions earlier this year.• Approved a special event and land use application from the Chamber of Commerce to hold a Christmas parade on Friday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m., and to place the Santa house in Adams Park on or after Nov. 18.• Approved the submission of the second document in the state Economic Vitality Incentive Program, designed for cities to “earn back” lost revenue sharing monies. Tecumseh previously received $125,000 in funding, and has the potential to earn back approximately $90,000 of that.• Received a city manager’s report that included notification that an extension of time for final proposals for possible development for the Tecumseh Community Center would likely take place to allow the process to run its course.