CUYAHOGA FALLS: State 8 Motorcycles is planning a $2.5 million expansion at its State Road site with the help of a tax abatement approved by the Woodridge Board of Education and expected to be approved by Cuyahoga Falls City Council on Monday.
Owner Richard Compton told council this week that he has outgrown his current location, which specializes in motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), off-highway vehicles (OHVs) and outdoor accessories.
State 8 has been in the community since 1995 but also owns property in Medina and was considering that site for an expansion.
“But we’ve enjoyed being in Cuyahoga Falls. … We’ve had good success here, and we hope to keep that going,” Compton said.
The abatement is 75 percent of the increased assessed value for 10 years on an 18,000-square-foot expansion.
Community Development Director Diane Sheridan said even with the abatement, State 8’s investment will result in $11,200 in additional property tax revenue to the school district and $2,300 more annually to the city.
There also will be additional income tax revenue. State 8 currently employs 39 full-time and five part-time employes with an annual payroll of $1.92 million, and expects to add five new full-time and four new part-time jobs with a payroll increase of $310,000.
In addition, the business will provide Woodridge schools with an annual $1,000 scholarship for each of the 10 years of the abatement term.
State 8’s expansion will take place across the street at 95 Cuyahoga Falls Industrial Parkway.
Paula Schleis can be reached at 330-996-3741 or pschleis@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/paulaschleis.