Fees waived to lure business to area

By Staff
Thomas Tingle
Record Managing Editor
In an attempt to lure new businesses to Madison, the Madison City Council has approved a measure that will waive building permit and other fees for commercial development along a portion of U.S. Highway 72 between Wall-Triana Highway and County Line Road.
Last month, the Water and Wastewater Board agreed to wave all impact fees on commercial development along the same stretch of roadway.
"Huntsville has aggressively annexed a lot of property along Highway 72. Here in Madison, we've been discussing what we can do to get the property owners who currently live in Madison County to consider annexing in the city of Madison and not in Huntsville," Mayor Jan Wells said.
All permit fees for building, electrical, plumbing, gas and mechanical work on new, expanded or remodeled commercial buildings will be waived. The waiver will end on Oct. 31, 2005.
Councilman Marc Jacobson said the stretch of Highway 72 west to County Line Road is very important to the city of Madison for economic and commercial development.
"Huntsville has beaten Madison to the punch in annexation. We've got to do something to keep our investment out there – some $250,000 in infrastructure by the water department. We could stand to lose more than $400,000 in revenue from businesses along this corridor if we don't do something to bring those businesses into the city limits of Madison."
Mayor Wells said she would continue to talk to property owners to see what it will take for them to consider annexing into Madison.