Limestone County work session hears tax-abatement request from North Alabama Laser Fab

Bethany Shockney of Limestone County Economic Development told the Limestone County Commission at its Dec. 1 work session that North Alabama Laser Fab plans to buy a new laser cutter for about $1,000,000 and is requesting sales- and property-tax abatements to support the purchase.

Shockney said North Alabama Laser Fab currently employs 22 people and has committed to hiring eight additional workers over the next three years. She provided approximate revenue impacts: a one-time sales-tax effect of about $15,000, education taxes of roughly $10,000 (one-time), a projected property-tax abatement of about $23,732 over 10 years, and estimated new education tax receipts to schools of about $18,148 over 10 years.

The chair acknowledged the presentation, named Greg Weatherford as the business owner, praised the company’s growth, and said the commission would place the tax-abatement granting on the upcoming agenda for formal consideration. No vote or final action on the abatement was recorded in the work session minutes.

The request was presented as part of the county’s economic-development efforts to retain and expand local manufacturing. Commission discussion during the session was limited to the presentation and an expression of support; no formal motion, mover/second, or recorded vote occurred at the work session.

Next steps: the abatement request will appear on the commission agenda for formal action where a motion, mover/second, and vote record are expected to be documented.