KJZZ is a service of Rio Salado College,
and Maricopa Community Colleges

Copyright © 2024 KJZZ/Rio Salado College/MCCCD
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Monsanto Drops Bid For Lower Property Taxes at Pima County Location

Monsanto
(Photo by Casey Kuhn - KJZZ)
Monsanto brought a model of the planned greenhouse to Marana for the public to see.

The seed and chemical giant Monsanto bought land in Pima County last year to build a greenhouse for new corn-variety testing. KJZZ reported on the development plans last month, and now reports Wednesday the company dropped a plan seeking lower property taxes.

Monsanto was hoping for a Foreign Trade Zone designation, which would drastically lower taxes on the property. In an agreement with Pima County’s Board of Supervisors, the board would support this plan as long as Monsanto met with certain stipulations.

The board was supposed to vote on the agreement next week. Now, after hearing comments from public meetings that were largely against the plans, Monsanto is withdrawing the proposal, but keeping the other stipulations.

That includes a contribution to the Marana school district up to $500,000 in lieu of taxes, making a community advisory panel and report to the county any restricted pesticide usage at the greenhouse.

A Monsanto representative says there are no plans for any new agreements concerning taxes.

Tags
Casey Kuhn was a senior field correspondent at KJZZ from 2015 to 2019.