Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corportation (JSDC) Executive Committee has passed on a 3-2- vote a plan to provide $1 million in incentives to Dakota Spirit AgEnergy.

The application included $342,000 in job training incentive funds and $682,000 in job incentive grants from the JSDC.

Those voting in favor were Mark Klose Chris Rathjen, and Robert Toso.

Mayor Katie Andersen and JSDC President, Gary Riffe, voted in opposition.

Andersen said she is hoping to eliminate jobs incentive grants from the programs the JSDC offers, saying it’s not necessary to recruit businesses, adding, with other projects on the table, it would completely deplete available funds giving $1 million to a project that is already funded.

Andersen said she had fewer problems with the jobs training incentive program which provides money immediately to the company.

Andersen said Dakota Spirit AgEnergy has received a tax exemption and was benefiting from a $7.5 million rail loop at the Spiritwood Energy Park Association.

AgEnergy has listed 39 jobs meeting that criteria in its application for $682,000 in job incentive grants. The money would be paid to the business as the people are hired.

The JSDC job incentive grant program provides $17,500 for each job a new business creates that pays at least $15 hour and offers benefits.

The funds are repaid to the JSDC from the state income tax withholdings of the workers the company hires. If the state income tax withholding is not enough to cover the loan repayment, the company is required to repay the funds.

The plan now goes to the JSDC’s Board of Directors for consideration at the February 3, 2014 meeting.

From there the plan will go to the Jamestown City Council, and the Stutsman County Commission.