Meeks called the special meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. at the Jackson Township Hall with all Trustees, Fiscal Officer, Lyon and Fitzgerald present.

He requested that all cell phones and pagers be turned off at this time.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Meeks announced the purpose of the meeting was for the Kenan Advantage Group and North Canton Transfer tax abatement.

Fitzgerald said this meeting was established at the January 8th meeting to establish this hearing on the tax abatement agreement and authorized the notice to the Board of Education, which the Board of Education received the following day.

Meeks asked if anyone would like to speak on behalf of the tax abatement.

William Downey, Vice President with the Kenan Advantage Group, thanked the Board, Mr. Gonzalez and Mr. Fitzgerald for their help and encouragement in staying in Jackson Township.

Dan Talarcek, Stark Development Board, 116 Cleveland Ave., Canton, Ohio commented that although the investment being made is small it represents a commitment to stay within the State of Ohio and within Jackson Township.  They have a commitment to create 65 new jobs paying around $40,000.00 salary, which is well above the per capita for Stark County.  He also thanked the Board and Mr. Fitzgerald for making this happen.

RESOLUTION 07-008, ATTACHED
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion to adopt and authorize the placement of our signatures upon the attached Enterprise Zone Tax Abatement Agreement with Kenan Advantage Group, Inc. and North Canton Transfer LLC.

Meeks:  I do thank you Mr. Downing, Dan and all representatives from Kenan.  These are the things that we as elected officials and people that are proud of Stark County and Jackson Township need to do when we see quality businesses that are looking to grow, to bring on as many jobs as you have committed to, we need to make sure that we can do everything possible that you stay in our community.  When we see all the businesses that have had hard times and job losses and so on, but when we were able to sit at the table and to come up with the plan to keep you here, find a new home for you here, we all win.  Our citizens win, the county wins, our school system wins.  And I want to thank all of you, Randy especially, that has rolled up your sleeves and have done the right thing to make this partnership what it will be, and that’s a great one.  We can’t say thank you enough for taking our offer and staying here in Jackson Township.
Gonzalez:  I’d like to add one thing, Mr. Meeks.  One of the greatest things you guys have done here that I’m most happy about and this is, we have a lot of jobs in Jackson Township but a lot of jobs that don’t allow people to work and live in the Township, because we have clerical type jobs or clerk jobs that are paying $20,000 to $25,000 a year.  You’ve created jobs that allow families to work and live in the Township and let their kids go to school here.  Those are the jobs that we really work to try to keep and we appreciate you working with us to stay here in the Township.

Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion to adjourn.