Heav’nly Commissary, the baker behind the popular Heav’nly Donuts in Methuen, Haverhill, North Andover and other locations, was recently awarded state tax credits and local property tax relief to build a new Methuen baking operation with seven times the amount of space at its current plant.
Heav’nly plans to privately invest $6.1 million to relocate its headquarters and operations up the street to 25 Calumet Road in Methuen. The company plans to renovate 28,754 square feet for a state-of-the-art operation and expects to add to add 25 jobs on top of its 14 existing jobs.
The Massachusetts Economic Assistance Coordinating Council approved $375,000 in Economic Development Incentive Program state tax credits and signed off on the City of Methuen plans to offer five years of property tax relief totaling $52,164. It was one of eight projects approved for state tax credits.
“The Economic Assistance Coordinating Council offers important tools that allow the state to invest in Massachusetts businesses and help them grow,” said Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao. “This new round of tax credits will support job creation and expansion for businesses from a diverse range of industries that keep our economy moving forward, from seafood processors to medical device manufacturers.”
Methuen recently approved Hean’ly’s tax relief, called tax increment financing. The city noted in a resolution that Heav’nly and its affiliated companies are “a highly successful and widely popular food service enterprise that was founded in 1975 here in Methuen, remains headquartered here in Methuen and now desires to significantly grow its business here in Methuen.” Heav’nly bought the property in April.
At the same meeting, the state Economic Assistance Coordinating Council signed off on $1.6 million in local property tax relief over 20 years for Lupoli Companies’ six-story, 660-space parking garage on Merrimack Street. Councilors signed off on the agreement last December as part of a $160 million mixed-use project that will include 396 new residential apartments, a food hall, commercial space and other public space. The formerly city-owned parcel generated no taxes for 50 years after stores, such as Grad’s, were demolished during the city’s Merrimack Street Urban Renewal project.
“Our goal is to make Massachusetts the best place for businesses to launch, grow, and succeed,” said Undersecretary of Economic Foundations Ashley Stolba. “Through this latest round of incentives, we are partnering with communities across the state to support business growth in cities and towns of all sizes, including Gateway Cities.”