Norton South Shore Millwork Looking for Expansion Loan at Town Meeting

The South Shore Millwork made a proposal to the Norton Board of Selectmen for a Tax Increment Finance to expand the business Thursday night.

Tax Increment Finance (TIF) is essentially a loan from the town to a company based on projected future tax revenue from the expansion based on an increase in property value. Selectmen were receptive to the idea, but it will be up to the town to decide at town meeting.

“They’ve been a very good neighbor,” selectman Robert Kimball said. “I think it’s in our best interest to make sure we take care of it.”

The proposal will be an article in the spring town meeting for the town to vote on May 13.

Owner Jeff Burton said the TIF and the expansion project already have approval from the planning board.

“We had planning board approval three years ago, but the economy didn’t allow us to do it,” he said.

South Sore Millwork has been operating out of Norton for 22 years, and builds cabinets, doors and other stone and wood products for residential and commercial properties.

The proposed expansion would give the company an extra 8,000 to 15,000 square feet of space. Burton said the expansion would cost about $3 million to build and would add $1.8 million of taxable property value.

“Conservatively, it would also add 12 new positions,” said Kirk Holmquist of South Shore Millwork.

Holmquist said they currently employ 78 people, but that could grow later on.

“If we have the ability to grow to full capacity, we could have 100 employees,” he said.

Selectmen chair Timothy Giblin said South Shore Millwork should review the other TIF projects Norton had approved in the past.

“Look at other TIF programs we’ve done recently,” he said. “I think it would be good for both parties.”