County Council to Consider Tax Break for Michelin Expansion

(Akron/Tire Review – Independent Mail) Michelin North America is seeking tax incentives from Anderson County (South Carolina) for a $25 million investment in its Starr and Sandy Springs facilities. The Anderson County Council is expected to consider a 10-year extension of a fee-in-lieu-of tax agreement that was originally approved in 1988. The investment will include equipment upgrades, but the agreement does not specify how many new jobs would be created. A company spokesperson could not be reached for comment on October 1.

In August, the tyremaker announced it planned to invest $350 million to improve and expand all of its major manufacturing facilities in South Carolina during the next four years. The company said it would add about 100 manufacturing jobs to its facilities in Anderson, Greenville, Lexington and Spartanburg counties. Michelin officials have not said how those jobs, which will be phased in as plants add capacity, will be divided among its South Carolina plants. Michelin’s Anderson County facilities employ about 880 people.

Michelin officials have said the expansion is being fuelled by several factors, including a new military contract and increased demand for X One tyres and Earthmover tyres.