North Canton City Council Stalls on Occupancy Grant Agreement for Suarez Corp. Industries

North Canton City Council members agreed Monday night to table an ordinance allowing Mayor David Held to extend an to Suarez Corp. Industries, the next company slated to move into the Hoover District.

Council plans to meet June 6 to consider the occupancy grant tax credit, which would give the company a credit of one-half of the city income tax paid by new employees after the company signs a five-year lease.

Wording for the agreement wasn’t finalized until late last week, which caused Council's delay in action.

The company, May 10, will be in the 200,000-square-foot building at 334 Orchard St. It will receive an annual tax credit against its net profit tax. If the credit is more than the tax owed by the company, the city would refund the difference up to the maximum credit.

Suarez Corp. Industries will bring 250 immediate jobs to the city and possibly thousands more in the coming years, Held said.

Resident Chuck Osborne spoke before Council regarding his concerns with the deal.

"Benjamin Suarez, owner of the Suarez Corporation Industries, wants public money put into his pockets," he said. "Why does the city of North Canton have to provide corporate charity to Mr. Suarez, also a millionaire many times over?"

Held said the occupancy grant tax credit kept North Canton competitive with other places vying for Suarez Corp. Industries, and the tax credit will benefit the city when it's bringing in more revenue.

"I don't believe it's corporate charity," Held said. "I don't believe we're enhancing the pockets of millionaires."

Council also discussed the following items Monday night:

• The . City Engineer Jim Benekos said the construction — which is to update curb ramps and catch basins, as well as repave the street — will be done before July 4 festivities and the YMCA’s July 4 Race.

“(Workers) are doing a great job,” Benekos said. “The only thing holding them back is the weather.”

• Memorial Day. City Administrator Michael Grimes said some city residents heard rumors the city will not host a parade that day, and he said that’s false; the festivities will go on as planned.

• The trees at Dogwood Park. A . Councilman Daniel Peters said the dead and dying trees have been marked and will be cut down soon.

• The date of the next council meeting, which is June 6.