Indianapolis Economic Development Committee Meeting 2026-04-13
Indianapolis Metropolitan Economic Development Committee Meeting (2026-04-13)
On 2026-04-13, the Metropolitan Economic Development Committee, chaired by Bob O'Slee, convened to consider three proposals: a PILOT for an affordable housing project, and a tax abatement for a food manufacturing expansion. The committee voted to recommend approval of the PILOT and the abatement request to the full council.
Consent Calendar
- None.
Public Comments & Testimony
- None from the public. Only staff and applicant representatives spoke.
Discussion Items
-
Proposal 95 – PILOT for 707 North Apartments: Marissa Kanatser, Senior Development Director at TWG, presented a request for a 15-year Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) starting at ~$15,000 in year one, increasing 3% annually. The PILOT supports the preservation and rehabilitation of 707 North Apartments, a 40-unit affordable housing project at 707 East North Street (Council District 13). The property, originally financed through Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), reached the end of its initial 15-year compliance period in 2025, making it eligible to convert to market-rate. TWG instead obtained new tax credits to preserve affordability for 40 years. The project includes ~$2M in rehabilitation (roof, mechanical, ADA improvements, NGBS Silver energy efficiency), and resident services (fitness, financial literacy, career coaching, GED connections, residence association, free high-speed Wi-Fi). Income levels will be 30%, 50%, and 60% AMI. TWG intends to use John Bonner Neighborhood Centers for services. Councillors expressed support: Councilor Nielsen praised avoiding a qualified contract; Councilor Jones highlighted wraparound services; Councilor Brown thanked TWG for working with residents. Councillor Hart questioned the adequacy of resident services, noting that if tenants could access similar services at John Bonner Center, the PILOT might not provide sufficient community benefit. He also requested child care and education be considered. Kanatser agreed child care was a priority but not yet feasible, and confirmed free Wi-Fi was included. The committee voted to recommend approval.
-
Proposal 97 & 98 – Tax Abatement for Heartland Food Products Group: Katie Kolp of KSM Location Advisors and Gene Wolfe, VP of Finance for Heartland, presented a request for real and personal property tax abatement for an expansion in Pike Township (District 1). The company, which owns the Splenda and Java House brands and recently acquired SlimFast, plans a $91M investment: $15M in real property (new building) and $76M in personal property (equipment). The expansion is expected to create 30 new full-time jobs (average wage ~$27.61/hr; 73% of current 832 employees live in Marion County). The company commits to a community impact payment, with initial plans for walkability improvements and potential bus stop upgrades with IndyGo. Councillors Hart and Robinson voiced strong support, praising the high Marion County residency rate and retention. Councillor Brown asked about minimum wages and confirmed there is no union. The committee voted to recommend approval of both proposals combined.
-
Procedural Note: Tanya Ellison, DMD program manager, requested that Proposals 97 and 98 be considered together since they relate to the same project (Heartland holds personal property; a separate LLC holds real property). The committee consented.
Key Outcomes
- Proposal 95 (707 North PILOT): Motion carried unanimously (voice vote). Recommended to full council for approval.
- Proposals 97 & 98 (Heartland Tax Abatement): Motion carried unanimously (voice vote). Recommended to full council for approval.
- Adjournment: Meeting adjourned after all business was concluded.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. This is a meeting of the Metropolitan Economic Development Committee meeting. My name is Bob O'Slee, Chairperson. I would like to ask my colleagues to please introduce themselves, starting with Councillor Hart. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Michael Paul Hart, representing District 20. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Brian Maori, District 25. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Jesse Brown, District 13. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Brienne Delaney, District 2. Thank you, Mr. Chair Nick Roberts, District 4. Good afternoon, Mr. Chair. Ron Gibson, District 8. Evening, Chairman, colleagues, Andy Nielsen, District 14. Thank you, Mr. Chair John Barth representing Council District 7. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Kristen Jones, District 18. Thank you, Chairman. Councillor Jarrett Evans, representing District 17. Thank you, Mr. Chairman Leroy Robinson, representing District 1. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Maggie Lewis. All right, thank you all very much. We have three proposals this evening, and we're going to start with proposal number 95, which approves a payment in lieu of tax as provided in IC 36-3-2-12 for TWG 707 LP. For an affordable housing project being financed in part with low-income housing tax credits pursuant to Section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. As amended, known as 707 North Apartments, consisting of 40 affordable housing units for low income residents on the parcel. Located at 707 East North Street, Council District 13. Who is here to speak on that? Good evening, Mr. Chair. My name is Marissa, and I'm here to speak on behalf of 707 North. I would like to say good evening and thank you again for having me, Mr. Chair and members of the committee. Again, my name is Marissa Kanatser, and I'm our senior development director at TWG, working on our affordable and workforce housing team to bring more affordable housing throughout the state of Indiana. Oh. No worries. Technical difficulties were all good. So as I mentioned, I am bringing more affordable housing to the state of Indiana through the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authorities Tax Credit Program. Tonight, rather than going through the TWG history, um, like we did last month, I would like to go straight into our proposed renovation of 707 North Apartments.
openpublica.com