The small Rhode Island town of Hopkinton moved one step closer to luring extruder maker American Kuhne Inc. and custom profile extruder Hi-Tech Profiles Inc., after residents voted Sept. 25 to reinstate the use of tax abatements.
Nobody voted against allowing Hopkinton to use tax abatements during the special financial town meeting, said town manager William DiLibero. Fifty people voted for abatements; two abstained.
``I think it showed that people are excited about getting some businesses to come in,'' he said.
Connecticut firms American Kuhne of Norwich and Hi-Tech Profiles of Pawcatuck are looking at sites on undeveloped land near I-95. The firms would bring about 40 total jobs to Hopkinton, a town of about 8,000 people just across the border from Connecticut.
DiLibero said Hopkinton hired a consultant to help with rezoning part of the land off Exit 1 on Interstate 95. The area for development is around 400-600 acres. Other potential projects include a hotel and an office park.
For years, Hopkinton's town council had the ability to grant tax breaks for business. But in June, the town's residents voted to end the practice, as a way to protest their higher taxes under a property revaluation. The Sept. 25 vote again allows the town to offer tax abatement packages to attract economic development.