PLANT CITY, Fla. — Plant City leaders approved plans to move forward with Project Hammer, a plan to bring hundreds of jobs to Plant City.
Home Depot asked the city to approve an Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption to build a large distribution hub in Plant City, that could bring up to 340 jobs. At a city commission meeting on Monday, commissioners approved the exemptions unanimously.
According to documents submitted to city commissioners, Home Depot wants to build a nearly 800,000 square foot facility off Wiggins Road, near Rice Road.
As of now, the open field is a strawberry field.
Along with bringing hundreds of jobs to Plant City, the average salary for its workers will be $32,198. There are currently no renderings of Home Depot’s proposed $67 million investment.
A spokesperson for Home Depot sent us a statement about the plan:
“This is part of our investment strategy we announced over a year ago to speed up delivery to customers and stores, eventually reaching 90% of our customers with same day/next day delivery. However, because of competitive reasons, we’re not ready to discuss details.”
In Home Depot’s application they wrote, “the site in Plant City would provide closer access to customers within the market decreasing transportation costs and time for delivery.”
Plant City Mayor Rick Lott said the tax exemptions help them stay competitive and more importantly bring jobs.
“If you’re going to attract companies of this magnitude, you have to get involved and be aggressive,” Lott said.
Commissioners voted unanimously 5-0 to approve the plans. During public comment, there was not one person that spoke against the plans. Lott went on to say the project is necessary to help Plant City.
“The tax revenue that we receive in the first seven years is substantial to our community," said Lott. "It's revenue revenue we wouldn’t have."
