DevelopOhio

The city of Reynoldsburg and Etna Township are “planning to partner in the establishment of two joint economic-development districts [JEDDs] covering more than 500 acres of as-yet undeveloped land in the township,” ThisWeek Community News reports. The first JEDD would include “more than 230 acres east of Mink Street” north of the Prologis business park and south of East Broad Street, while the second JEDD “would encompass approximately 328 acres,” mostly east of Etna Parkway between Main and Broad Streets. Township trustees have approved the JEDDs, which would allow Reynoldsburg to collect a “1.5 percent income tax on people who work in the development districts and on the net profits of businesses that locate there,” according to the article. Reynoldsburg City Council President Doug Joseph “said the JEDD agreements would allow the city to benefit from increased tax revenue without having to experience any major economic risk.” Dan Havener, the city’s Development Director, said, “[t]hose taxes basically fund economic development and infrastructure upgrades that are necessary to maintain the area within the JEDD.” Etna would also gain revenue that it would not have otherwise, as townships cannot collect income tax under state law.