Amazon secures tax breaks in Oregon county
Commissioners approve contentious package of incentives
Two commissioners own stakes in local fiber-optics provider
Officials in a remote northeastern Oregon county have voted to give tax breaks to Amazon, a move that has sparked controversy due to the involvement of two commissioners who each own a stake in the company's local fiber-optics provider.
The Morrow County port commissioners voted Wednesday to approve a package of tax incentives for the tech giant, which is planning to expand its presence in the county. The package includes a property tax exemption for Amazon's new data center, as well as a reduction in business taxes.
The vote was 3-2, with two commissioners, Tim Sperry and Jeff Bert, voting against the package. Sperry and Bert each own a stake in Integra Telecom, a local fiber-optics provider that has a contract with Amazon.
Opponents of the tax breaks argue that they are a giveaway to a wealthy corporation that does not need them. They also say that the involvement of Sperry and Bert creates a conflict of interest.
Amazon is one of the largest employers in Morrow County, with over 1,000 employees at its four data centers in the county. The company has said that the tax breaks will help it to expand its operations and create more jobs.
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