Warren City Council members are being asked to consider a 10-year property tax abatement to support an expansion project at a local manufacturing facility. The proposed agreement on the council’s Wednesday agenda involves expanding The Charles Manufacturing Co. at 3021 Sferra Ave. NW.

The project includes constructing a 1,350-square-foot addition to the existing building to create six new offices. Company officials expect to break ground on April 1, with a scheduled completion date in October. The expansion represents a minimum investment of $230,000.

According to the proposal, the company intends to hire four new full-time employees while retaining its current staff of 15. The expansion is expected to add approximately $430,000 to the annual payroll. In exchange for investment and job creation, the enterprise is seeking a 75% tax exemption on the value of the new construction for a decade.

The Charles Manufacturing Co. was founded in 1982 by Dave Frazier and specializes in metal fabrication. The company originally produced sheet metal chimney products and later expanded into manufacturing contracts for the automotive and energy industries. The facility moved to its current location in 1994 and previously doubled its production space in 2004.

Council is treating the ordinance as an emergency measure. Officials stated that immediate approval is necessary to maximize the investment and ensure the project proceeds without delay. The project is located within a city enterprise zone, a program established to encourage business development through tax incentives.