Canton-Hilscher-ClarkeElectric Co. is another step closer to taking over the previous Canton Brewing Co. Building.
Canton City Council on Monday approved multiple tax incentives to help Hilscher-Clarke Electric Co. move its headquarters to the former brewery at 227 Market Ave. N, and redevelop and expand the current building at 519 Fourth St. NW.
Through community reinvestment area agreements, the city will ease 75% of property taxes on each building that has been renovated over the next decade. The city uses the income tax revenue it collects from Hillshire Clark to compensate Canton school districts that the district would have received from the improved value of the property.
The council also approved 10 years of job creation and retention tax incentives. The city will use non-revenue tax revenues for annual grants to Hillshire Clark, which amounts to up to 60% of payroll withholdings. The incentive estimate is $1.5 million over a decade.
The agreement includes Hilscher-Clarke, which owns Canton Brewing Co. Building, Bolt Brewing Real Estate, and Goodfether LLC, which owns Fourth Street NW properties.
Canton Economic Development Director Christopher Hardesty said the proposed Hillshire Clark project would cost nearly $3.8 million and is expected to create up to 100 full-time jobs.
He said the company plans to use the upper floors of the former Canton Brewing Building as its headquarters. The workers will remain in the building on Forth Street NW. Both currently operate in the Fourth Street NW Building.
Hardesty said he believes Hilscher-Clarke is planning to maintain the brewery. Canton Brewing has been closed and its intellectual property was purchased in 2023 by Brew Kettle. BrewKettle plans to produce beer at its production facility.
District 9 Councillor Frank Morris voted against the incentive after questioning why he offered such a large tax credit, which amounted to up to 60% of Hillshire Clark’s withholdings.
Representatives for Hilscher-Clarke declined to comment.
Reach Canton Repository Writer Kelli Weir at 330-580-8339 or kelli.weir@cantonrep.com.
