Property tax uncertainty a challenge for new business growth

by Dustin Grove (grove@wsbt.com)

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Property tax situation keeps new businesses away

Some real estate agents say the uncertainty around property taxes is keeping new businesses away. (WSBT photo)

By WSBT News1

SOUTH BEND — The property tax situation is hurting more than just homeowners. Some say it's also costing communities when it comes to bringing in new businesses.

"It just creates a big question mark that makes it tough to compete,” said Steven Ellison, Senior Associate Broker with CB Richard Ellis Bradley, a commercial real estate firm in South Bend.

That question mark refers to the whole structure from the way assessments are done to capping taxes.

And while the uncertainty has put some projects on hold for Ellison, commercial real estate agent Mark Miller has already seen projects go elsewhere. He says it’s especially difficult in St. Joseph County where taxes are already high.

"They’re [businesses] looking at property taxes as opposed to Lake County or east or west of us where it's significantly less, that decision's been made to move there instead of here,” said Miller.

"If it's resolved quickly and we know what we can say … it will have a significant impact not just for a short period of time but for a long period of time and I hope we don't get to the point that we see taillights instead of headlights,” said Ellison.

Although they'd like to see a quick solution to property tax reform, one broker told WSBT News it's more important that they get it right.

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