By Michael V. Hannigan/HCN
One of Athens’ largest employers is looking to add jobs.
The Athens Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) board last week approved an incentive package for FutureMatrix Interventional to expand and create 100 new jobs. The plan calls for FutureMatrix to invest about $3.3 million in enlarging its Athens Industrial Park facility.
The AEDC’s package includes $200,000 in performance incentives payable over the next three years. The payments are linked to FutureMatrix meeting investment and job creation benchmarks.
In addition, Athens will apply for a grant to build a road in the industrial park to alleviate traffic congestion.
“The level of investment FutureMatrix is doing is allowing us to apply for a $1 million grant,” said AEDC Executive Director Lisa Denton.
Denton said traffic made a new road in the industrial park a necessity before adding 100 new employees. She said the grant, if approved, will also give the city a chance to fix drainage issues in the park.
There’s a little history involved, as well. A Texas Capital Fund grant helped extend Enterprise Street to FutureMatrix in 1993.
“Here we are in 2016 applying for the same grant to extend a roadway within the park to help with employee traffic congestion, because of FutureMatrix,” Denton said.
The Athens City Council is also involved in helping FutureMatrix expand and agreed to abate the company’s taxes on new construction over the next five years at the following levels: 100 percent, 65 percent, 45 percent, 25 percent, 25 percent.
“(That decision) shows that our council wants to see growth as well,” said Denton. “That they are willing to … rebate some taxes to encourage growth.”
The FutureMatrix announcement is the latest in a string projects announced by the AEDC. Most recently, Clayton Homes announced it is bringing 240 jobs to Athens.
“This has been an exciting year,” said Denton, “a very exciting year.”
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