FAYETTEVILLE — The Washington County Quorum Court agreed Thursday to extend a sales and use tax refund to a California baking company looking to expand into Springdale and potentially bring 150 jobs to the area.
The court breezed through a light agenda Thursday evening that included the tax refund for South Coast Baking, a report on last month’s revenue and expenditures and the granting of about $10,500 to area schools.
In short, revenue is up and spending is down, treasurer Roger Haney told the court. The general, road and jail funds all contained more money at the end of November than at the beginning. All cities and school districts stayed within their budgets as well.
The court then unanimously agreed to extend the Tax Back program to South Coast Baking, which plans to move into a vacant Springdale building and invest nearly $9 million in machinery and material. The program refunds sales taxes on those purchases.
Lance Eads of Springdale’s Chamber of Commerce said 150 jobs with an average wage of $25 per hour should come within three years.
Finally the court distributed $10,500 to several area middle and elementary schools to pay for computers and supplies. The money came from fees for breaking state game, fish and wildlife laws.