Byline: Eve Samples
Oct. 3--After months of fruitless negotiations with Piper Aircraft Inc., Indian River County leaders learned Tuesday what it will take to keep the airplane manufacturer in Vero Beach: $16 million from the local community and $20 million from the state.
And they agreed, at least in principle, to provide it.
The Indian River County Commission and Vero Beach City Council unanimously voted to support giving Piper $2 million a year for eight years. The money would come from an increase in property taxes, with the owner of a $250,000 home with a homestead exemption paying about $24 more a year.
The state's $20 million would come from the ...