LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Lima City Council has approved a tax abatement for the construction of a new John Deere sales, service and repair facility on Commerce Parkway in Perry Township.
In its application, Murfin Inc., which operates as Murphy Tractor & Equipment at 3550 Saint Johns Avenue, requested a 75% tax abatement over 10 years. The request is eligible because the land went through non-withdrawal annexation. The company is seeking 10 to 12 acres to build a 20,000-square-foot facility directly west of Perry proTECH.
The Port Authority, which owns the land, has agreed to set aside the property, and Murfin plans to invest more than $8 million in the project. Lima Mayor Sharetta Smith said the development creates a pathway for continued economic growth in the area.
"13 jobs from the former location will come to the city, as well as an additional 7 jobs, so we're looking at about $515,000 per year in payroll taxes that will come, and we're also looking for increase of generational revenues from the property taxes for that building based on the improvements that they are going to be making," says Mayor Sharetta Smith, City of Lima.
The tax abatement will now go before the Allen County Commissioners for approval. The goal is to open the facility in 2026.
