Seeking more flexibility in employer recruitment, economic development officials voted to broaden salary requirements for those seeking grants.
Since December, Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County board members and staff have discussed revising their Economic Development Income Tax grant qualifications.
Employers can request EDIT cash grants for needs such as land acquisition, construction, utility connections, employee relocation and training, and new equipment.
To be considered, an employer’s wages must now meet one of two criteria.
EDC’s original guideline, that the starting wage for all new and retained jobs must pay a certain minimum, remains in place. The added option: The company’s average wage for all new and retained jobs exceeds Wayne County’s average wage by 110%.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages shows Wayne County’s 2023 average annual wage as $24.16 per hour, so that means this year’s qualifying average wage must be $26.58 per hour, excluding benefits.
Wayne County’s average hourly wage increased $1.52 between 2022 and 2023 BLS data. The EDC initially set a minimum hourly wage requirement of $15 to qualify for an EDIT grant. The wage was increased to $18 in 2023 and then again to $19.50 during February’s meeting with new BLS data.
EDC President Valerie Shaffer said Wayne County is making headway on increasing local wages. Wayne County’s increase was the highest of the region’s counties. Indiana’s wages increased by an average of 73 cents.
Shaffer said EDC doesn’t want to dissuade potential employers offering high-quality jobs from considering Wayne County. Focusing on the number of jobs created shouldn’t be the only factor, she said.
Sometimes a company has a few positions, such as clerical roles, below the county’s average wage but offers many other high-paying jobs, Shaffer has said.
Additional qualifications for EDIT grants include creating/retaining a minimum of five permanent full-time equivalent jobs, excluding interns and apprentices, and making a minimum investment of $500,000. In December, the board added language to say members could use discretion to deviate from the grant qualifications based on the project’s merits. One example could be a $100 million investment that might not create jobs but would still be a positive addition.
Shaffer will present the revised guidelines to county commissioners for consideration because commissioners have final approval of EDIT grants to make sure they support the changes.
If businesses don’t qualify for EDIT grants, they’re still eligible for tax abatements.
In other business
- Prospects: Shaffer said EDC staff have been extremely busy responding to leads from state economic development officials and direct referrals from companies. They’ve responded to information requests and participated in virtual meetings. A site visit is taking place this month for a new project. Wayne County remains on the shortlist for three new attraction projects. Staff are also working with 10 current employers on potential expansions.
- Make My Move: Twenty-three remote workers and their families have moved to Wayne County, an increase of two from last month. The recruitment goal is 30. Three have accepted an offer, and six offers are pending acceptance.
A version of this article appeared in the February 12 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.