Windsor offers land deal to woo German auto parts supplier
Company is expected to announce where it will expand operations some time in the fall
Windsor city council upped the ante in its bid to convince a major German auto parts supplier to expand its manufacturing operations in the region.
The politicians agreed Friday afternoon to offer up a piece of land for an attractive price aimed at sweetening the deal and making Windsor a more appealing option than two other communities vying for the same deal.
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Mayor Drew Dilkens flew to Germany earlier this month, flanked by officials from the region's economic development corporation, in yet another attempt to woo victory. If successful, he says the deal could create an estimated 300 jobs.
Windsor, though, is sitting at the table with two other players, a community in Alabama and another from Ontario, Dilkens explained after his meeting with fellow councillors.
"What city council did today was pass a resolution that positions the city well to be competitive in these discussions," he said. "Part of the process of attracting that company is being able to put something in front of them."
Other regions are offering plenty of incentives, such as free land, which Dilkens has said he is not prepared to offer. Windsor already has a community improvement plan that waves property taxes for up to 10 years.
Council hopes this latest offer will be enough to give the city the extra edge it needs to win the bid.
Officials from the German company have already visited the region and they will be returning in August. They are expected to make a decision some time a little later in the fall, Dilkens said.