Joliet incentive package for World Kia creates space for local jobs – Shaw Local

A city tax incentive package for World Kia’s expansion includes a local jobs factor.

The Joliet City Council on Tuesday approved $820,500 in sales tax rebates over 10 years for World Kia, which will open a second location on Jefferson Street to sell and service used cars.

The rebate package is a reflection of what Joliet has offered other auto dealers for expansion projects, city officials said.

However, the city also stipulated that at least 25 percent of the new Kia employees hired for the expansion had to come from Joliet.

“I think it’s good because it involves people in the economic development of the city of Joliet,” said Council Member Cesar Cardenas of the local jobs factor added to the agreement.

Kia expects the expansion to create 23 new jobs.

Cardenas chairs the council’s Land Use and Economic Development Committee, which last month reviewed World Kia’s incentive package before it was presented to the council for a vote.

At that meeting, Economic Development Director Paulina Martinez described the local job creation component of the agreement as a “pilot program,” but said it had already been applied in other municipalities.

World Kia is located at 2525 W. Jefferson St.

The dealership is purchasing property several blocks away at 1705 W. Jefferson St. The property, located east of Larkin Avenue, will be used by RightWay Auto Sales.

According to a staff memo on the incentive agreement, World Kia plans to have the new site operational sometime in September.

Although Joliet would have to refund most of the sales tax revenue during the 10-year period, the city also expects to receive $520,000 in sales tax revenue from the expanded World Kia operation.