The Butler County Commission acknowledged tax abatements for Hwashin America Corp. in Greenville at its meeting earlier this week.

Hwashin had tax abatements totaling $43,000,000 for expansion and equipment.

District 3 Commissioner Frank Hickman said abating the taxes is a normal procedure.

“It is an economic development incentive to lure new industry or to assist existing industry with expansion,” Hickman said.

Hickman added that it also is done in the hope to create new jobs.

“The abatement is for 10 years and abates sales taxes and all other taxes except any taxes for public education,” he said. “Public education actually benefits by new jobs, increased ad valorem basis for taxes and does not lose any taxes.”

The commission, by law, has to be notified about the tax abatements that were originally approved by the City of Greenville. The commission was acknowledging the tax abatements for a period of 10 years.

In other business, the commission:

• recognized Jennifer Dunkin, as she received a DHR appropriation check of $2,000;

• discussed the personnel policy and procedure manual update;

• reviewed sold waste management plan proposals from Ron Carlton of Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood; and Volkert, LLC.; and,

• heard reports from the correctional facility, EMA and the engineer, who gave a report on the blanket policy on emergency road closures.