Bartlett officials promote tax incentives to attract businesses and drive economic growth

In a pivotal meeting on May 2, 2025, the P.I.L.O.T. Ad Hoc Committee in Shelby County, TN, spotlighted the significant economic impact of tax incentives on local development. Key discussions revealed that companies benefiting from Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) are contributing 25% of full taxes, a figure that often surpasses the current tax payments on vacant properties. This financial strategy is designed to attract businesses to areas like Bartlett, which is actively promoting its advantages to potential investors.

Kim Taylor, the Economic Development and Planning Director for Bartlett, emphasized the city's appeal, highlighting its safety, available housing, and proximity to Memphis. She noted that Bartlett is not just focused on attracting businesses for its own benefit but aims to enhance the overall economic landscape of Shelby County. Recent statistics presented showed that from 2018 to 2022, PILOT companies made a capital investment of $48 million, resulting in $3.6 million in tax abatements.

The meeting also addressed the formation of a coalition to streamline compliance and data related to PILOTs, with Bartlett's Industrial Development Board expressing willingness to collaborate on these efforts. This initiative aims to create a repository of information that could facilitate better decision-making for future tax incentive applicants.

As Shelby County continues to navigate its economic development strategies, the discussions from this meeting underscore the importance of tax incentives in fostering growth and attracting new businesses to the region. The anticipated outcomes from these initiatives could significantly shape the county's economic future, benefiting not just individual municipalities but the entire community.