FREE • THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023
VOLUME 6, NO. 245
CITY COMMISSION APPROVES AD VALOREM TAX EXEMPTION FOR SYSCO USA THE GLOBAL FOOD DISTRIBUTION COMPANY IS CONSIDERING PLANT CITY FOR ITS NEW DISTRIBUTION CENTER.
MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER
The City of Plant City has lured many large companies to set up shop within its city limits in recent years thanks to its close proximity to the coveted I-4 corridor that links Tampa and Orlando which in recent years has become one of the largest concentrations of distribution, logistics and manufacturing centers in the South-
east. Sysco USA, Inc., the largest food-service distributor in the U.S. delivering food and food-related products to more than 650,000 customers, is on the hunt for the ideal location for a new distribution center and is considering a spot in the Southern Oaks business Park on Charlie Taylor Road. But Plant City isn’t the only city along the I-4 corridor seeking to entice businesses and the jobs and tax dollars they
bring with them. Lakeland, Winter Haven and Auburndale also seek to attract these companies. To sweeten the deal with Sysco, and help make Plant City stand out, the City Commission last week granted Sysco USA, Inc. an Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption of 50% of the assessed value of all new qualifying improvements and 50% of all qualifying tangible personal property
STINGRAY CHEVROLET
GIVES AWAY BRAND NEW CORVETTE, PRESENTS RECORD-BREAKING DONATION
for seven years from January 1, 2026. The exemption applies to taxes levied by the city and doesn’t apply to taxes levied by Hillsborough County, school district or water management district. Based on the 50% exemption, the Property Appraiser’s office estimates the revenue loss to the City for the fi st fi cal year is anticipated to be $197,909.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
SIGN UP TODAY TO BIKE WITH THE MAYOR ENJOY A LEISURELY 3.75 MILE BIKE RIDE WITH MAYOR KILTON ON MARCH 31.
MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER
TWO PLANT CITY RESIDENTS WATCHED A DREAM COME TRUE AS THEY WERE HANDED THE KEYS TO THEIR NEW CAR FOLLOWING THE STINGRAY CHEVROLET CORVETTE AUCTION CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
Channel your inner Lance Armstrong (if Lance Armstrong had a hamstring injury) and join Mayor Nathan Kilton for a leisurely 3.75 mile community bike ride through Plant City on Friday, March 31. Riders will meet at 7 a.m. at Gilchrist Park, located at 704 North Pennsylvania Avenue, and the ride will begin promptly at 7:30 a.m. The event, started by former Mayor Rick Lott, is an effort between Planning and Zoning, Parks & Recreation and Plant City Police Department to promote Florida Bike Month and bicycle safety.
“We’ll have police officers there and we’ll be riding on roads that are not heavily traffi ed,” said Kilton, whose going to be riding on a cruiser bike. All participants must sign a waiver and are strongly encouraged to wear a helmet. All youth under the age of 16 by law are required to wear a helmet. The fi st 50 riders that register will receive an event T-shirt (must be onsite to receive t-shirt). Register today by visiting www. plantcitygov.com and searching Bike with the Mayor in the search bar.