Amer Sports may be taking space in the American Can building. I'm excited that they're interested in restoring and occupying historic space downtown, rather than construct a low-rise tilt-up in the 'burbs.
Amer Sports Ogden site revealed
Thursday, October 19, 2006
By Scott Schwebke
Standard-Examiner staff
sschwebke@standard.net
OGDEN -- Amer Sports Corp. is apparently planning to move its North American headquarters to the American Can Co. complex downtown, according to an official with one of the firm's subsidiaries.
Olivier Canler, vice president of finance for Suunto, based in Carlsbad, Calif., one of three sports equipment brands Amer Sports plans to relocate to Ogden, said the headquarters will be located in a former downtown cannery in need of extensive renovations. He attributed that information to Mike Dowse, the head of Amer's North American operation.
The American Can Co. complex on 20th Street is the only former cannery downtown, Greg Montgomery, the city's planning manager said. Dowse could not be reached for comment.
Mayor Matthew Godfrey did not say which downtown buildings Amer Sports is considering, but noted several structures may be suitable, including the First Security Building on Washington Boulevard, the Kiesel Building on Kiesel Avenue, and the American Can Co. complex.
Amer Sports will likely sign a lease agreement in the next several weeks, Godfrey said.
He also said the city has not offered any cash incentives to Amer Sports.
In addition, the Ogden Redevelopment Agency, made up of the City Council, hasn't been asked to commit tax increment financing for the company, said Community and Economic Development Director Dave Harmer.
Depending on which building it chooses, Amer Sports could realize as much as $2 million in reduced lease payments over 10 years through the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives program, he said.
The federal government offers a tax credit that can be taken over 10 years equal to 20 percent of the amount spent for substantial renovations to certified historic structures.
Since the tax credit effectively reduces out-of-pocket expenses for renovations, owners of historic buildings can often reduce lease payments to attract tenants, Ward Ogden, a senior project coordinator for the city's Community and Economic Development Department, said.
In addition to reduced lease payments, Amer Sports will also receive several quality-of-life perks for its employees from local businesses, such as free season passes at Snow Basin ski resort, Godfrey said.
Amer Sports plans to begin relocating three of its brands, Salomon, a maker of snow-sports equipment and apparel based in Portland Ore., Atomic, a ski manufacturer located in Amherst, N.H.; and Suunto, which makes watches and other diving products, to Ogden in June or July 2007. The company expects to employ about 230 workers when fully settled in the first quarter of 2008.
The Governor's Office of Economic Development has authorized tax-rebate incentives totaling about $7.9 million for the company over 10 years.