Tax Abatement, Subsidies Requested To Rehab Proctor Building

A business seeking to use the former Proctor building on Old Highway 66 in Bourbon needs a 10-year tax abatement and subsidies to overhaul the building.

Sky Huddleston of Liberator Rocket Heaters told the Bourbon City Council on April 20 that they have applied for a $2.5 million Department of Energy grant.

As part of the grant, Huddleston said they would need $500,000.

“We need a combination of tax abatements and subsidies,” said Huddleston, who is looking to propel his pellet stove company.

While speaking with the board in March, Huddleston was asking for a five-year abatement.

Huddleston did not outline how Bourbon could deliver subsidies, but said the money would go towards repairing the fire suppression system and hiring engineers.

He also referenced a possible deal with the city of St. James.

Huddleston claimed the city of Bourbon funded the vacant building in 1950 and paid $250,000 worth in 2021 dollars.

“I need a sufficient letter of commitment from the city,” Huddleston said.

Ward 2 Alderwoman Sonya Sewald said she needs more.

“I need something more tangible on the benefit you would provide to Bourbon,” said Sewald, who expressed similar feelings when Huddleston spoke to the board in March.

The Proctor building has stood vacant for more than a decade and is in need of major repairs.

Huddleston said rehabbing the building would be faster than constructing a new one.

During his visit to the council meeting in March, Huddleston said the company would have 20 full-time employees within three years. The jobs would be in skilled welding, manufacturing and fabrication.

Huddleston described the Proctor building as an ideal place to expand their operations.