Committee to consider giving Angie’s List $18.5M

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – A City-County council committee will consider giving up to $18.5 million dollars of taxpayer money to help Angie’s List expand its headquarters.

The company has asked for taxpayer money to help with the expansion, with the promise of new jobs in return. Monday evening, a committee will decide if spending up to $18.5 million is with it.

Angie’s List wants to expand its headquarters and renovate the old Ford factory in the 1300 block of East Washington. The consumer-review service says it needs the money to renovate the old Ford factory, fix steers and infrastructure, building a parking lot and move a school warehouse.

Angie’s List said it will spend $40 million of its own money on the expansion. It has promised to add 1,000 new jobs and relocate 800 employees to the near-east side.

While some council members say they see the need for jobs and area revitalization, they want to make sure taxpayer money is safe.

City Council member Jeff Miller said the company’s most recent quarterly results were encouraging, but the city should not let its guard down.

“My position is that I view this as an investment in the near east and that we need to be sure that investment of our tax dollars is well protected,” Miller said in an email.

The council committee will hear the proposal Monday evening at 5:30 p.m.