Primex Plastics Corp. received a three-year tax abatement during Richmond Common Council’s Jan. 20 meeting.
Council unanimously approved the personal-property abatement for an $8 million investment in equipment for its Industrial Parkway production facility that will create six additional jobs. The abatements will be 100% the first year, 50% the second year and 30% the third year based on the city’s scoring metrics.
“They showed us where this piece of equipment is going to be, and it is huge,” council member Larry Parker said. “It will be the only one in the United States that will put out this type of product, too, which is another good thing for the city of Richmond.” Council members did not provide details about the nature of the equipment or the product that it will be used to make.
City changes
Mayor Ron Oler said city hall is “adapting to the new normal” following elimination of 21 positions during the budgeting process for 2026.
“We started working on that in December, and we continue to tweak these things,” Oler said. “You’ll continue to see changes, and we’ll adapt and make it as efficient, as effective as possible, and be flexible.”
The affected employees worked through Dec. 31.
Finance referrals
Two ordinances were referred to council’s finance committee to evaluate and provide a recommendation.
The first would provide $15,000 to the Richmond Fire Pension Board to pay for mental health disability care. Three members have not been reimbursed for their mental health care during the past three years as is required. The $15,000 will correct that and pay for this year’s care.
The second ordinance would provide $125,000 for unemployment compensation because of the city’s staff reductions.
Other actions
- Council unanimously approved three resolutions that transfer $353,880.45 from unobligated funds. The resolutions result from a new policy that provides council more oversight of city expenditures.
- Richmond Police and Richmond Fire departments received council’s permission to accept donations for a variety of programs. Both ordinances were adopted with unanimous votes.
- Josh Imhoff was unanimously appointed to the Urban Enterprise Association board.
A version of this article appeared in the January 28 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.