City Grants Tax Break To High Tech Firm Located In Saline's Union School

Saline City Council is planning to give a tax break to a local hi-tech firm bringing new jobs to Saline

Quantum Signal LLC applied for a six-year tax abatement on $415,000 of investment that includes about $200,000 in building and land improvements to the old Union School building and $215,000 in machinery, equipment and furniture.

The firm, a research and development company that works with commercial and government clients to build new products and technologies based on algorithms and software, employs 38 people and expects to add 15 more jobs within two years of the investment.

Mitchell Rohde, the co-founder and CEO of the company, briefly addressed council during a public hearing on the issue June 11. The council voted 6-0 on the measure.

“I am a little embarrassed, given the state of the city and all the cuts that are taking place, to be asking for a tax break. But I think since we came before you the first time that we have delivered on our promises. We’ve invested what seems like a never-ending stream of money (on Union School),” said Rohde.  “We continue to love our location in downtown Saline and believe we’ve made a positive impact.”

Rohde said Quantum Signal employees frequent downtown businesses like and , and joked that they are at least partially responsible for the recent expansion at Dan’s.

The motion to grant the approval was moved by Dean Girbach and seconded by Brian Marl.

“You’ve brought 38 jobs to Saline and are planning to bring in 15 more in the nex two years. That brings a lot of value to our community,” said Mayor Gretchen Driskell.

Prior to the vote, Saline Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Larry Osterling urged council to approve the abatement.

“Quantum Signal has delivered. They have been great citizens for downtown. There are lots of small cities with old abandoned schools that don’t know what to do with them,” Osterling said. “We’ve lucked out (with Quantum Signal) to have a viable businesses downtown.”

During a public hearing resident Mary Hess, who said she is a member of Union School’s last graduating class, said she was glad to see the building being utilized.

“It’s a real nice opportunity to have our school used so very well in a modern way,” Hess said.

City Finance Director Lee Bourgoin said the city’s Special Projects Commission reviewed the application and recommended the six-year abatement.

“This is a business that moved its business here from outside the community. They are using a historic asset and keeping that asset going. They are also adding jobs,” Bourgoin said.

The city tax break ties into the five-year, $208,000 MEGA tax credit awarded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Quantum Signal was launched in 2000 by founders Rohde and William J. Williams.  The company has done work for automotive firms, defense contractors and government.