The JOBZ applications of two Litchfield manufacturers earned approval from the Litchfield City Council but not before council members debated the merits of the JOBZ program itself.

Limpert Brothers LLC and Northstar Processing received City Council approval — on 5-2 votes — for their applications. Council members Connie Lies and Danielle Rodgers voted against both applications.

Lies questioned whether the benefits received by the two businesses — a combined tax reduction of more than $1 million during the next nine years — equaled the economic boost received by the city. The applications of the two businesses indicated they will create a minimum of five jobs during the next two years.

"I’d like to just bring up that JOBZ was never intended to create two-zy, three-zy jobs," Lies said. "it has produced onsey twosey jobs. I just find that doing this flies in the face of what we should be doing. We do not have to do them...
we can say no."

The majority of the council chose to go ahead with both applications, however.

Limpert Brothers purchased part of the former Innovex facility at 108 Precision Drive in September 2007. The company manufactures three erosion control products, including erosion control blankets, waddles and hydro mulches.According to their JOBZ application, the business will employ three new full-time positions by April 7, 2010, with all jobs being paid at least $12.30 per hour.

JOBZ benefits will save Limpert Brothers an estimated $648,250 during the nine years of JOBZ status.

Northstar Processing manufactures food and pharmaceutical ingredients. The company plans to have HSH Group LLC, an independent group associated with Northstar, finance and build a new 40,000 square foot warehouse that HSH would lease back.

Northstar Processing’s JOBZ agreement calls for the company to create two new full-time positions by April 7, 2010, with both being paid at least $12.30 per hour.

Northstar, located at in the Litchfield Industrial park, will receive $488,150 in reduced taxes and credits during the nine-year run of the JOBZ agreement.

Read more about the JOBZ discussion in Thursday's print edition of the Independent Review.