Brownsburg considers tax break for book publishers’ new $160M logistics hub

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (WISH) — Brownsburg town government leaders next week will vote on a proposed tax break for a developer planning a logistics facility for a consumer book publisher.

New York City-based HarperCollins Publishers wants to build the logistics facility, which would include investments of about $155 million for personal property and $160 million for construction, said Shelby Abner, community relations senior manager for the town government.

The project will be built on the southwest corner of the I-74 interchange with Ronald Reagan Parkway, about a half-hour drive northwest of downtown Indianapolis, and open sometime in 2028. The project anticipates creating 400 new jobs over the next four years, according to Brownsburg documents on what’s previously been known only as “Project Tahoe.”

Ehtan Pierre, the Brownsburg economic development director, wrote in documents, “Staff recommends approval of a 10 year personal property tax abatement. Approval of this abatement will help facilitate a $155M personal property investment in the community that will generate an estimated $5.9M in personal property tax revenue over the next 10 years. Without this project, a total of $0 in personal property taxes would be generated over the next 10 years. Once the abatement period has ended, this project has the potential to generate an estimated $1.2M in personal property taxes annually.”

The Brownsburg Town Council has set a public hearing on the project for 7 p.m. Aug. 28 at Brownsburg Town Hall.

HarperCollins’ Thursday’s announcement on the Brownsburg plans said, “Drawing on valuable insights from HarperCollins’s recently opened Robroyston warehouse in Glasgow, Scotland, the new facility will utilize automation to increase efficiency, speed, and reliability. With the capacity to ship more than 300 million books annually, it will allow for continued growth and future acquisitions.”

Online documents show currently shares warehouse space with another publisher at a Plainfield site also in Hendricks County. HarperCollins did not immediately respond to an email on Thursday afternoon about whether it would continue to operate from Plainfield as well.

HarperCollins told News 8 that, once it’s new facility opens, the publisher will leave its current warehouse space in Plainfield, which is operated by a third party.

HarperCollins Publishers touts itself as the second-largest consumer book publisher in the world, with operations in 15 countries.

Statements

“HarperCollins has experienced significant transformation and growth over the last 15 years, and now is the time to expand our North American footprint. This state-of-the-art facility is an investment in our authors, our customers, and the future of our business, positioning us for growth.”

“We are excited about the potential opportunity to partner with the state of Indiana, town of Brownsburg, and AES Indiana to bring this project to fruition, pending the final approval of all local, state, and electric utility economic development incentives previously committed to the project.”

Brian Murray, president and chief executive officer, HarperCollins Publishers

“We are thrilled that HarperCollins Publishers chose to build this state-of-the-art facility in Brownsburg. HarperCollins’s investment in our community will bring new, exciting employment opportunities and helps establish Brownsburg as an ideal location for business growth at the international level.”

Travis Tschaenn, president of Brownsburg Town Council, a Republican

“At AES Indiana, we are committed to powering the growth and vitality of the communities we serve. That’s why we’re proud to support HarperCollins’s transformational investment in Brownsburg. Through our Economic Development Rider and tailored energy solutions, we are helping to bring more than 400 high-paying jobs to the area.”

Brandi Davis-Handy, president of AES Indiana

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